How to match cabinet finish?

5 years ago

I want to reconfigure my kitchen island and am wondering how to match the finish. The company that made them is out of business. Cabinets are knotty alder with "A-42 (25%)" finish. I assume the A-42 is the company's reference for the finished used. Anyone have a clue?

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klem1

5 years ago

I agree that origional finish might not match perfect but it would be the best place to start then temper or dilute for better match. .I reccomend calling a COMMERCIAL paint supply like Sherwin Williams to give them the "A-42 (25%)" info. When I overseen companies with several buildings,I had all their paint colors like sweet rose and mouse ear gray converted to commercail #s which any brand can mix. I don't understand whether you want to finish a new cabinet to match old or touch up an unfinished protion of old cabinet that become;s exposed when moved. Each requires a different approach but it can be done.

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Comments (9)

millworkman
5 years ago
More thank likely never will. Even if you had the same manufacturer and the exact same finish it will never match as the cabinets in your home will have changed color just on general principle from sunlight to just general exposure.
sunfeather thanked millworkman
sunfeather
Original Author
5 years ago
Yes, you're right. What was I thinking? So I guess I'll end up painting the island. The cabinets are in good shape except for dings and wear but I'm not sure how to touch them up.
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shivece
5 years ago
We touch up little dings and scratches on the wood in our house with a set of “magic markers” created for that purpose. It has multiple different colors and we pick the closest or mix a bit. It is amazing how this makes the dings disappear.
sunfeather thanked shivece
chispa
5 years ago
Find a local company that does "furniture repair and refinishing".

They are your best bet for refinishing and matching an existing finish.

Friends just moved and the movers damaged an expensive antique asian cabinet. The furniture repair/refinishing guy did an excellent job with the repair.
sunfeather thanked chispa
sunfeather
Original Author
5 years ago
klem1, my island is oddly shaped with an angle across one side. I would like to square it up which will require adding to it. I may decide to paint.
Fori
5 years ago
Knotty alder tends to be used in one of the few styles of kitchen where a combination of painted and stained cabinets actually looks right. :)
sunfeather thanked Fori
sunfeather
Original Author
5 years ago
Fori, that's nice to hear.
klem1
5 years ago
"I may decide to paint."

To save you the trouble of asking later when this involve's a table,chair or anything with stained finish of uncertain origin. Matching stained finish is ALWAYS more difficult than puting a coat of paint over it. For that matter it is usually eaiser to apply a fresh coat than match aged or unknown paint color.

Color matching is a science which can only be mastered through pratice and/or apprenticing under one that know's how.
sunfeather thanked klem1