How was this blonde finish achieved?

2 years ago

The woodwork and cabinetry in my 1960s house all appears to have a blonde finish applied over the base stain color. I have a few projects on my list in the next few years where I'd like to try to get something close to a match for this finish, and I thought I might start playing around with trying to recreate it in advance.

Recently, I switched out the hardware on my kitchen cabinets from the originals that had large circular backplates. I found that the cloudy finish was not applied under the hardware, which was annoying to discover but could help me recreate this. You can also see the edges of it on the side of the door.

My question is - how did the original owners/builders likely create this? Is it paint mixed in with varnish? A specific tinted varnish? If it is paint in the varnish, would it have been white or a beige color? Anything else I should be considering or testing? I know they type of wood will make a difference.

I may take it to a local paint/home store eventually for professional matching, but I'd like to play around with it first.

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Comments (6)

A Mat
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The color was Wax and stain. The products used may no be available today due to environmental issues.

I do not think a paint store nor home store has employees who have experience due to its age.

Cabinets are remove and replace due to the cost of refurbishment.

Looks like some water damage in the photo. Wet hand reaching for the nob?
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
What you’re viewing isn’t even the original finish. I’m guessing it was even lighter but the finish has oxidized and it’s more orange than it was when it was installed. Stripping off the finish maybe your only option.
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apple_pie_order
2 years ago
That was probably coats of clear oil-based varnish back in the 1960's. Over time, the finish oxidizes and starts to crackle with microscopic cracks. The varnish also yellows, partly depending on how much exposure to bright light, especially sunlight, it gets.

Blonde furniture from the 1960's is readily available. 1970's pieces are much cheaper in many markets because the 1970's styles aren't fashionable revivals yet. Choose some pieces to practice on for fun.
ci_lantro
2 years ago
I agree that this is a clear oil-based finish over unstained wood. Looks stained because the finish has ambered and the wood color has also changed because of age/ exposure to light.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Cerused Wood Finish

https://tipsgoodsk.live/product_details/81356946.html

Sometimes this finish can be duplicated using a Liming Wax
ci_lantro
2 years ago
I found that the cloudy finish was not applied under the hardware,

Almost unheard of and totally impractical for the pull and back plate to have been installed before the finish was. The color difference is because the backplate blocked light from reaching that area.