Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/27/2007

Question
I would like to re-stain my oak kitchen cabinets. When they were custom made 30 years I used Formby's stain. I used 1 part mediterranean Dark Oak & 1/2 part Walnut. I can't find formby's stain anymore. I would like to find a stain to match my original stain color. Any ideas on what to used?  

Answer
Hi Linda
Nice to hear from you.
Yes I have an idea what you could use.
First mix a test batch.
When I test colors this way I always use teaspoons. So if I say 1 part of something I mean one teaspoon. Or 2 parts mean 2 teaspoons etc.
So start with Minwax stains. Get those tiny cans that look about half the size of a Comet cleanser can.
Get 1 can Special walnut, and one can Jacobean.
Then mix 3 parts Special walnut to 1 part Jacobean and test it. If its not dark enough, add one more part Jacobean.
I think this will do the trick.
Regards
Eileen