Replies

1. 
   WayneL5 | Feb 14, 2004 02:27am | #1

   A few years ago in my new home I wanted the contractor to make the trim of #1 pine but make it the color of cherry.  All my cabinets and much of my furniture are cherry which I built myself.  I expected what I was asking for was difficult, but would accept his best effort.

   He subbed out the trim finishing to his dad who is in business as a furniture refinisher.  I took apart one of my furniture pieces and gave it to him as a sample.  Well, he matched it exactly.  All the trim looks wonderful, no blotchiness that is universal with pine.  Many of my guests are fooled.  If you hold the two pieces side by side it would be impossible to tell except that the grain is a little different and shows a bit more in the real cherry.  He also took the birch doors, and adjusting his colors, made them come out to match as well.

   I couldn't get all the details from him about his technique, but over a few conversations here's what I was able to pick up.  The key is that he didn't use stain.  He used dye.  He dissolved dyes in either water or laquer thinner and tested until he found the right combination.  The dye solutions were applied by spray.  He used several coats, slightly correcting the color each time.  I think some of the later coats were dissolved in laquer itself.  The final finish was a couple of coats of flat laquer.

   Here's a picture of how it came out.  It looks more natural and even in real life than it does under the glare of the camera flash.

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=38882.6

1. 
   thebigebalto | Feb 14, 2004 05:34am | #2

   I think I can help with some information. I have a copy of American Woodworker #101 July 2003. On page 52 there's a article on staining pine to give it a classic antique cherry look. I plan on using their technics in building a step-back cupboard. Check into it and get back to me.

2. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Feb 14, 2004 02:21pm | #3

   You have to do it like the commercial furniture finishes.  Spray.  Wash coat of shellac.  Dye underneath as a base.  Amber or medium brown.  Sealer, then more color to bring it to the amount of red you want, then topcoat.  Woodfinishingsupplies has all the stuff you want in spray cans.  Pigment and dye toners.  Dye first to even the color and prevent blotches.  Pigment to bring out a little grain, dye again to tune the overall shade if you need it.   I don't care for the look myself.  Looks like motel furniture.  If I want cherry, I mill cherry.  But, to each their own.

1. 
   dperfe | Feb 14, 2004 03:22pm | #4

   Thanks all for the help.

   David