Tips for matching an existing finish

[Karl Meyer]

Hello,

My 1937 Model 16 had a piece of trim missing at the bottom.  I was able to make a replacement piece out of walnut, but now I need to finish it to try and match the existing finish.  Any advice? This is my first time doing any kind of finish on a radio.

Karl

[Scott Seickel]

Here is the image converted to .jpg

Easiest way for the inexperienced is to find a Minwax or other brand stain in a box store that matches the color close and then spray with satin lacquer that is available in box stores in spray cans. 

Best thing is to sample stain on scraps.  You can mix stains to get colors closer and sneak up on a color by using multiple coats, or wiping off excess with mineral spirits if too dark.

[David C. Poland]

Be best to put a finish on your repair piece before gluing it to your cabinet.

Also, it is pretty much true that Walnut stain is fairly uniform across brands. But the variety of samples at the paint dept are the result of adding other colors to walnut. Seek a medium Walnut. 

Your cabinet is cabinet is probably a bit sun faded thus my suggestion of a medium Walnut. You can darken with additional applications of stains. After the first coat or additional coats of stain (or Walnut finish like Scott mentioned) is dry, and before adding a coat of spray lacquer, wet your repair piece with paint thinner to see what it would look like with your clear finish. Clear shellac is also perfectly good too.

If already glued your Walnut repair piece to your cabinet, mask off the area with blue masking tape and generous newspaper to protect the cabinet and speaker cloth.

Also, note that the original was more like rounded shoe molding than a square block. 

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[Karl Meyer]

Yes. It’s rounded now. I didn’t realize that was a before sanding shot. My eyes are bad :). Definitely will be staining before glueing. I got some hide glue to make it reversible if necessary down the road.

[David C. Poland]

The hide glue is a good choice for old furniture. It is compatible with the remnants of the glue used then. With the new glues, failure to remove all the old glue courts joint failure.