We’ve recently moved into a mid-century modern house. Some of the original built-in cabinetry is plywood (birch?) and has that familiar amber tint.
I’d like to recreate something similar in kitchen cabinet doors. I’m doing some prototyping/testing with birch plywood. I’m finishing some with Wipe On Poly and will do some with a water-based varnish. I don’t expect the water-based varnish to darken or tint the birch much, but I was kind of expecting the wipe-on poly to do some of that – only minimal darkening in the first couple coats.
Any advice in recreating that amber hue in birch plywood? Shellac? Any particular stain tinting?
Thanks in advance for your help,
John
Replies
John to start with, what kind of veneer is on the plywood? Different vanishes or finishes will color differently on different veneers. Matching the age is the hard part. You may have to color the finish. Do this with the same base as the finish you are using. Water to water oil to oil. Remember what ever you match can change to become lighter or darker over a period of time.
It's birch veneer core plywood CC-1 (from Lowes).
The original built-in cabinetry is 65 years. We're not necessarily trying to match it exactly - it's in a different room than the kitchen - but would just like something reminiscent of that.
Would you stain the raw wood first and then wipe on varnish over that? Or add a bit of stain to the wipe-on varnish?
Thanks,
John
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