I want to swap out the cabinet above our stove with a shorter one and then put the microwave above the stove.
After weeks of hunting, I found the line of cabinets that were installed in our kitchen. No surprise…they were on the lower end of the quality spectrum (Georgetown).
The problem is that the doors on our 10+ year old cabinets have yellowed some compared to the new one we ordered. They’re maple doors with a very light finish.
Any ‘tricks’ to yellow the new one so it doesn’t stick out as much? Maybe a wax finish? Some sort of Martha-Stewart-fake-aging technique?
Replies
Could be nitro lacquer. It yellows naturally as it ages. You could use some water-based lacquer or poly and yellow it with some Trans Tint Honey Amber, (#6001) from Homestead Finishing Products. You may want to refinish the door next to it too so if you don't get it exactly rignt it won't stand out.
http://www.homesteadfinishing.com
Minwax fast-dry oil base polyurethane is made with phenolic resin. It goes on kind of yellow, but really yellows fast after that.
I've done what you're proposing with a yellow aniline dye sprayed on, topcoated with waterbase poly.
I think Martha Stewart's ageing is the real thing - not fake. I'm sure her time up river didn't help... :-)
The other posts had good ideas, if you want to go through the trouble. Their methods would probably be best in the long run, but may take a bit of work. Your idea of colored wax may work though too--if you can't find colored furniture wax, perhaps shoe polish would work--try it in an inconspicuous place first!
Matching an existing stain/finish is as much art as science and needs to start with the type of wood to be finished.
Find a finisher in your area and take an existing door to him/her and let them tell you what will work best. It may be necessary to buy your replacement cabinet unfinished - or have one built.
When I have to match an existing stain/finish, I just hand the job to my finish guy and he nails it every time. A couple of years ago, I did an extensive rework of a 10 year old kitchen that involved moving some built in appliances, adding some new cabs, etc. When it was done, only a trained eye could see that parts of it were new.
alas, this kitchen isn't worth that kind of effort. Good tips, everyone! I'll try wax and shellac on the back and see what works...
"Frenchy" it. Top with amber shellac.
Would you call that a "Frenchy Polish?" or a "Frenchy Finish?"
What's the difference? It's used for everything.
I see a marketing opportunity...
People are vaguely aware of French Polishing.
Re-package shellac as an amazing, environmentally-friendly finish that's good for everything from coating fruit to covering your floors. Call it French Finish. Gold mine.
Maybe that's what we can do to get him a new job?
So how're we gonna put our business plan together? Are we gonna have Frenchy play Homer Frenchy in our DIY commercials?
Wow, Mike!!! Sign me up for two cases - delivered next day air!!
My credit card number is.........................(yeah, right!!)