How to Match Wood Stain: Head to the Paint Store

How to Match Wood Stain

I’ve refinished a number of furniture pieces and wood trim when matching an existing stain was important. I’ve had far better luck getting stains matched by the staff at the paint store than I’ve had trying to mix colors off the shelf myself. Just bring in a sample piece to be matched. Keep in mind that stains can look different on different pieces of wood.

So, if you’re doing trim, for example, don’t just bring in the piece that’s easiest to remove; choose a sample piece that has the color and tone you want. You’ll also need to bring in an unfinished test board of the same species and with the same grain characteristics as those of the pieces you’re trying to match.

Why does wood stain look different on different types of wood?

This is primarily due to the different densities of wood species and their natural colorations. Some hardwood species, like rock maple and mesquite, are very dense and have a close grain, and the tends to stay on the surface. On the other hand, woods with an open grain, like pine, cedar and white oak, are very absorbent and accept stain readily.

Natural coloration also affects how stains appear. A stain won’t have much effect on very dark wood species like ebony, but the same stain can have a dramatic effect on a blond one like pine or birch. Every species has its own natural coloration that combines with the stain to produce a distinctive hue.

Can I use a stain to make wood look like a different species?

To some extent, yes, but the effect is limited because each species has a distinctive grain pattern. For example, oak has a very open, irregular grain. When you apply a mahogany stain to oak, it may come close to having the same coloration as mahogany, but because mahogany has a closed, regular grain, you’ll never mistake one for the other.

Plus: Did you know you can stain wood with coffee grounds? Here’s how.