If they had the sample on hand, it should look like the sample. As far as leaving the stain on too long, it depends on the application style being used. Some painters wipe the stain off right away and some never wipe it off. Either way, the painter and builder should at least make an attempt to give the customer the color they want. As for the fix, it will be very difficult to remove the stain to lighten it even with sanding since the wood is already installed.

So so frustrating. No they didn’t have that specific sample bc I was out of town, another mistake. But they had another sample that we liked. I’m so irritated they let this happen when we were clear on what we wanted and didn’t want. They just wanted to be finished.

Wow! Expensive error. Please keep us updated on resolution.

Unless there’s something off on my monitor, you need to argue that outcome is nowhere even in the ballpark of what you wanted. Use your photo as evidence. What brand of stain did they use? I’d get a photo of the empty can and make them prove that’s the walnut color you selected. They can’t, so they should fix it (I know, easier said than done...but easier to redo now than after you move in).

I hate stain.

I hear ya. It's so hard. I avoid getting involved with stain if at all possible because it is so tricky. Don't beat yourself up, you did the best you could. Fingers crossed that your builder helps you out and you get what you want.

Update: I dreaded the phone call today but before any heated discussion, the builder said he'd already talked to the painter and they will sand down and restain by hand, with us there to monitor this time. Fingers crossed it will work as they are thinking, but I am very happy they are aiming to please.

Yes Lori A. Sawaya ... the beams are emergency #1 but I may need to tackle a couple vanities and shelves too. So hard to get everyone on the same page, with so many variables!

@lin, hang in there!

That really looks to me like they used dark walnut stain instead of special walnut...did they fix it? We are going through the same thing trying to pick a stain for our cedar beam. Raw Cedar soaks up all the stain and stains so much darker than other woods so it makes it hard to get a medium, light stain on cedar. Every color we have tried has been too dark or too orange....I like special walnut though and weathered oak possibly. If you have photos of your beam with final stain I'd love to see them!

pandang81 we are still struggling. First the builder said they'd sand down and restain, then said it would take too much time and money and still probably not look right. They've offered to rehang new beams but gave us a price for that......I really feel they should be responsible since they knew exactly what i wanted but that's another discussion. Now we are deciding whether or not to go back with rough cedar and just clear coat, or use smooth cedar which stains better, or go with another material like pine where stain can be better predicted........we have cedar posts on our exterior, still need to figure out what to do with those. Probably just a clear or natural.

pandang81 but our experience trying to find a light stain color sounds exactly the same as yours! Much too dark or too orange. Good luck to you, let me know if you found one!

If you like the color of the cedar, sand it back and oil it. If you don't, sand it back and try a gel stain that is very light. This brand is great and you can thin it so you can do a subtle change and more coats will darken it gradually so you don't have to worry about it being too dark. https://generalfinishes.com/faq/how-can-i-thin-gel-stain

Oh wow, I am sorry to hear that. They should at least give you a discount if you end up replacing the beam. I would go with smooth cedar if given option over again since the stain on so much more predictable. We are building our house and have rough cedar beam indoor and cedar headers outdoor trim...so I just ordered yet another stain today called light walnut and hope that it works out. Lol... For Exterior cedar I am having an even harder time than my interior cedar beam because they don't offer many samples for exterior stains so have to buy the whole gallon as sample (multiple gallons) ....boooh. :(. I have about 3 weeks before they begin staining mine so we will see. Well I will let you know if I find the one and good luck to you! I'd love to see your finished product.

Linzita512 I found someone at PPG that would customize a stain for me on the cedar as long as I brought a piece in and brought a sample of what I want the color to look like. So I did that and it worked great! Finally have a color not too dark, not too light!

Do either of you have pictures of your final beams and the stain you used? We are doing the same in our house and would rather not have to repeat any lessons you have already learned?

Hi Carolyn,

For my interior cedar beam it was easy because I wanted a very dark beam. Dark is easy to do on cedar since it's so porous almost everything looks black on it. For my exterior I went through about 8 cans of stain ( on my own dollar) since I couldn't find the right color. I finally went to PPG ( Pittsburgh paint) and brought the guy there a picture of what I wanted and a sample of the same rough cedar as my exterior beam to test on. He custom created my color which I love. It's very important to sample on the exact same type of cedar that will be used on your house. Also even the lightest color of stain will show up much darker on rough cedar. Good luck

Looks beautiful. Did you end up using the special walnut stain on the inside beams and if so, do you have a picture? Thanks!

Thanks!No I used dark walnut which on cedar is almost black. I wanted it to match my dark cabinets in kitchen that opens to family room where my beam is.

Thanks!

@linzita512 what is the latest? interior and exterior? i should have clear coated our outdoor cedar posts on day one to keep that medium brown color - 2 months later they are getting gray.. i need to pick a stain now!

We used minwax special walnut on the interior beams and behr padre brown on our exterior beams. Both turned out great.