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 stain 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.

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

These are the five go-to wood finishes every woodworking should have on hand:

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Shellac

I keep a quart each of de-waxed shellac, clear shellac and amber shellac on hand at all times. I use de-waxed shellac as a sealer/base coat. I use clear or amber depending on the tone I'm looking for. The biggest drawbacks of shellac are that it doesn't repel water and it's not as durable as polyurethane, so I don't use it on items that get hard use. Check out one of the many uses for dewaxed shellac: How to Stain Wood Evenly Without Getting Blotches and Dark Spots. Buy it now on Amazon.

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Water-Based Polyurethane

It took me a while to warm up to water-based poly because it doesn't give the same warmth of tone as oil-based finishes. To combat this, I apply de-waxed shellac for the first coat, which adds some warmth. In the plus column, there's almost no odor and it dries faster than oil, meaning I can build up a finish faster. Learn some important tips for using water based varnish here. Buy it now on Amazon.

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Tung Oil

All rub-on oils penetrate the wood as opposed to sitting on top of the wood, like polyurethane. Rub-on oils don't provide as much protection as polyurethane, but they're simple to apply and completely eliminate brush marks and drips. They also virtually eliminate annoying dust nibs in your finish. Here's a starter video on working with rub-on oil finishes: Achieve a Flawless Wood Finish With Rub-on Oil. Buy it now on Amazon.

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Paste Wax

Paste wax is my go-to final step for finishing. Over any top coat, apply paste wax with 0000 steel wool. Wipe off immediately for a satin finish or let it dry first for a glossy finish. I even use paste wax by itself when I don't need surface protection and want a low-sheen, natural look. Check out this article on Wood Finishing Tips: How to Renew a Finish. Buy it now on Amazon.

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Spar Varnish

If you're putting a top coat on outdoor furniture, you want spar varnish. It's been used on wooden boats for generations. Spar varnish stays slightly soft and flexible after it cures. This allows it to move with wood that lives out in the elements, expanding and contracting with changes in humidity. Here's a perfect spar varnish project: How to Build a Cedar Potting Bench. Buy it now on Amazon. Every product is independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.