Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/wood staining

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Expert: - 8/10/2010


Question
QUESTION: I used formby's Mediterranean oak wiping stain several years ago and wish to match the color to some of my new projects.  Is there some stains that will match that color or some blends that I can use to match?  thanks


ANSWER: Hi John, You'll likely have to experiment with other stains, especially because most oil stains have been reformulated as of late to meet the more stringent VOC laws.The best color strength and workability comes from the Gel stains, and I like the General Gels and their Satin Gel Urethane topcoat as well. Excellent products, longer 'open' time than the Minwax Gels which get sticky rather rapidly, and you can intermix and thin them with abandon....because they're thick, and in a polyurethane carrier, they resist blotching on softer woods and Maple, and they dry predictably in any situation.Their wipe on oil stains are also excellent. Hope that helps- Regards- Greg

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2005555/GENERAL-Gel-Top-Coat-and-Stains.aspx

http://www.woodcraft.com/Family/2007258/GENERAL-WipeOn-Oil-Based-Stains.aspx

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am interested in the color matching process.  The present stains do not match the color of the Formby's.

Answer
What stains are you looking at? You can combine colors to arrive at a perfect match, but that takes a bit of experience in color matching....and that's not something that can be taught in a forum like this. One needs to have knowledge in color theory, and experience with mixing and matching stains. You can definitely match it, but it does take some experimentation.If I remember right, those stains came in a little white squeeze bottle, and they were quite thick, with good color strength, very similar to the Gel stains of today.The typical oil stain (Minwax, etc.) will not give you the same qualities, hence the Gel stain suggestions......let me know if I can help further.

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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