Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Help matching wood finish

Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.




View Full Version : Help matching wood finish


rmelo99
01-08-05, 09:17 PM
I am in need of some advice on finishing a wood stair railing I just installed.

The house is 1906 colonial. I just had the original T&G Pine flooring refinished. I did not have it stained but just finished with a waterbased finish. So the flooring on the main floor has a natural pine yellow look to it.

The stairs were refinished the same way but they appear to be ash wood, and are very light in color, almost like a white oak. The square landing of the stairs is white oak, refinished the same way.

I just installed the railing made of Hemlock wood! This was my "little" project and it turned out very nice, but now I don't know what to do for a finish!!

If I put a poly on it what color will if become? Should I stain it somehow to "yellow" it up to match the pine flooring, or leave it natural.

I want to try and match it to one of the other woods I have in the room, and not clash.

TIA

Rem


Sawdustguy
01-08-05, 10:09 PM
Was pine wood available for the railing also?

The only way to make one wood look like another is to use the same wood.

rmelo99
01-09-05, 07:17 AM
Unfortunatley pine was not available for the railing. HD only has hemlock or red oak. And Lowes only had red oak. I was able to find pine railing on one site online, but it was very expensive, cost a lot to ship and would take 4weeks to ship. Local lumber yards did not have pine, special order and again 4-6weeks and pricey.

I know that the best way would have been to match the woods, but my hands were sorta tied. It's built now and I am just trying to make the best of it. Does anyone know if any paint/stain suppliers allow you to sample diff colors. If I bring a sample piece to try a couple finishes?


chfite
01-09-05, 10:12 AM
Trying to match the pine with another wood will be shooting at a moving target. The pine continue to darken with time. If the hemlock is light and acceptable, consider that an oil-based clear coat will yellow with time whereas a water-based clear coat will not.