The Framers Forum

I have a customer who is most insistent that I find a moulding to match exactly the sample they have brought in the profile is irrelevant it’s the wood and colour.
I presume the frame was made in Thailand as there is a sticker on the backboard.
I initially thought it was teak but they are insisting it’s oak which admittedly it’s looks like just the colour isn’t right tried a few coloured wax’s I have but don’t have Teak


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Looks like oak to me

I have had lengths of oak that are near white on one end and dark brown on the other! but that is the nature of real wood

Rather that waxes you could try spirit based stains to match the colour of your sample. I use the Liberon range but also often pick up whatever they have in my local hardware shop so long as it is spirit and not acrylic/water based.

I'd be very surprised if that is not oak, it certainly looks like oak, Whatever it's been stained with, there's a good chance that a stain applied in Thailand won't be an exact match for any particular stain available in the UK, so be prepared to do a little bit of mixing and test the result of some left over bits from the same length of moulding.

Yes does definitely seem like Oak I just Googled teak and it’s not that but similar colour


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I agree with everything already said. The wood is oak. What you need to do is get some small cans of wood dye from your local diy store. Look for the colours Walnut, Mahogany and Oak. Use the Walnut as a base and add mahogany to warm it up a bit. You may not need the Oak.
As you're applying wet colours to compare with a dry finish, it would be a good idea to first give the original frame a wipe with some white spirit on cotton wool.
Obviously do a small test first but the white spirit will dry away after a few minutes and leave no residual trace.

That moulding looks exactly like some I have in stock. In fact I have a large quantity purchased in a bargain bundle. (if anyone requires any)

Although mine looks exactly the same it is not solid Oak but has a veneer

Peter.

try rubbing some Tung Oil onto oak
it may need two coats and left to dry for 24 hours
wax after
it deepens the colour differently to stain

That's a good idea.
Another one is soaking some wire wool in vinegar and painting that onto the oak. Only problem is that the effect can be a bit dramatic and irreversible. With commercial stains you have a bit more control, where the stain can be wiped off with some solvent.

You could try a light coat Bleached Shellac followed by clear wax. It will shift the colour just a little bit. If not enough then
mix in some Raw Shellac. Raw Shellac on it's own will make it go very orangey.