Matching interior "wood" paneling color

[ghatfield]

We recently installed a microwave in our 2006 Bambi 19. I used clear alder for the microwave frame and now I'd like to finish it. A friend recommended a clear sealer, but the finish is too red. See the attached pic. Has anyone found a good match for this common AS finish. Thanks in advance for any advice.

George

[rmkrum]

Try waterbased clear polyurethane. I use Minwax Polycrylic. Satin has less shine and drys totally clear. It goes on 'milky' but drys very clear.


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[ghatfield]

I tried several different finishes including the Minwax Polycrylic. All produced similar results.... a nice light brown finish. I picked the one that looked the closest to the paneling color (a wipe on polyurethane) and tried it, but when I installed the microwave frame with that finish, it was just too brown (see attached).

So I tried some Minwax Pickled Oak finish and applied two thin coats with a cloth on top of the polyurethane. I let the finish dry about 12 hours between coats. The resulting finish was quite close (see attached). Not a perfect match, but close enough, at least for me.

[thesignlady]

Hi, I had the same experience recently trying to match my ash in my '69 Safari.

From what I can see in the picture your raw woods colour is pretty darn close to what you need and that was the same issue I had, as soon as I added a finish the colouring dramatically changed, I went through umpteen different finishes and even pickling in an attempt to get it right. In the end the one that worked for me was Minwax brushable laquer. It didn't change the colour of the wood from the original at all. I used a cheap foam brush and brushed it on fast. It self levels to a point but it quickly kicks over like an epoxy and leaves brush marks if you work too slowly.

After some research I found that a lacquer finish was what was used in my year anyway so I also used it to top coat some areas of the original cabinetry as well, again without affecting the original colour.

Minwax 1-qt. Gloss Clear Brushing Lacquer-15500 - The Home Depot

Good Luck

[Silver Otter]

Nice work, George. As an old woodwork manufacturer I applaud your method of trying various products for the best "blend" of color, figure, and sheen. The word "match" carries too much baggage in the world of woodworking. The best any of us can hope for is a great blend of the natural characteristics of real wood with existing work.