Wood Type/Stain Matching Help Needed!

8 years ago

Hi,

We have the original cabinets in the kitchen of our 1930 home. In order to fit a dishwasher in we had to add a few boards on top of the counter cabinets under the countertops due to the counter cabinets being too low. I need to find some wood trim to put under the countertop to hide the layered boards but am having a heck of a time! I am not sure what type of wood it is, have purchased many types and nothing seems right, I have tried a bunch of stains, but haven't gotten a match. Does anyone have any idea of what type of wood the outer part of the cabinets and the drawers could be and/or any ideas on how to determine the wood type and find a stain that matches? I have gone to a few lumber yards but they haven't been that helpful and the last one wanted to take the drawer I brought in and send it out to get a match and then charge $115 just for matching it and that didn't include any supplies...I don't want them to send out the original drawer b/c if I don't get it back or something happens to it then I have created another item I have to try to match!!! Thanks!

Featured Answer

sofaspud

8 years ago

I am not a pro, but I have built oak bookcases and wall curio cabinets. if i were you, i would buy some poplar 1×2 strips from the local store, sand them, cut them into 6" lengths, and experiment. using stain of the same type from the same manufacturer, I would mix stain together to find the right color. this is of course hit and miss. keep track of your formula for each strip. once you get a couple that look close, go through the entire stain and poly effort you would for the finished product, then hold them up next to the cabs and pick the closest one. if you want to spend extra money on oak, do it with oak shelving ripped down or find some oak 1x.

BTW, your cabs are gorgeous!

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Comments (12)

sofaspud
8 years ago
Another option is to try to match the color to existing toe kick cover, which are usually thin. The problem with using anything like I described above is you will lose the overhang from your countertop, which will just not look right. if you do decide to go with a custom approach, make sure the finished strips are the right dimensions to hide.

who knows? maybe you can buy unstained 1/4 inch plywood or something similar.
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wiscokid
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
If they're original to the '30s, they might be gumwood. That was popular at the time and have a look similar to what you've got.
erinn717 thanked wiscokid
erinn717
Original Author
8 years ago
Wow, I have never heard of gumwood! I looked it up though and it does look similar! I am trying to achieve as close of a match as possible so maybe I will look into that depending on if I can find it or not and how expensive it is! Then I was thinking I would bring the wood that I buy along with one of our cabinet doors or drawers into Sherwin Williams and see if they can match the stain. I am trying to figure out if I can buy just an available type of lumber and still match the stain so it looks the same or if I need to special order...
Marta
8 years ago
We had gumwood trim and paneling in our old house and it looked a lot like the wood of your (beautiful) cabinets. Can you try to find a furnituremaker or woodworker in your area? They can be good sources of species/stain information.
erinn717 thanked Marta
wiscokid
8 years ago
If you have a Woodcraft near you, they may have some or be able to order for you.
erinn717 thanked wiscokid
kats737
8 years ago
My local sherwin williams has done a GREAT job at color matching - bring in your finished sample and a sample of bare, sanded wood you would be finishing and see what they can do. My suggestion, do it on a weekday mid/late morning when the trades have gotten their supplies for the day and the staff has enough time to work with you. And if one specific location doesn't seem thrilled about doing it, don't hesitate to ask at another location.
PRO
Kitchen Tune-up Zeeland, Sales & Design
8 years ago
I would second going to Woodcraft if you have one near you or another specialty woodworking shop for the wood help and Sherwin Williams for stain matching. They have done a great job matching for me in the past too.
arokes726
8 years ago
I’m no expert, but when I’ve seen those who are attempt to match a stain, there’s been mixing of colors involved. I don’t think it’s likely that you’ll get a perfect match off the shelf.
arokes726
8 years ago
Oh, and they’re beautiful!! You are very lucky.
arokes726
8 years ago
Clearly I should think before I post. This is a solid pine door in my 1901 house. The wood grain isn’t dissimilar from what you have. New pine has a much looser grain, because it’s harvested so young, but I might try to find a nice piece at a lumberyard (premium, no knots, obviously!) and some stains to mix, and see what you can come up with.
cpartist
8 years ago
My guess would have been gum wood or maple.