Question
I need to match some existing cabinets in a customer’s home. They appear to be oak, but the finish is very light - lighter than I get with a clear coat finish on oak. Is there a lightening or bleaching technique that may have been used? Could it be ash or something similar in appearance to oak that is naturally lighter? Here's a picture of the door for what it's worth - the color isn't real accurate.
Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor Y:
Definitely oak. I can't tell if it's red or white for sure. In looking at the right edge which looks darker, almost green. You can see a white dotting which is reminiscent of a gun application with the air turned down to give a speckled look - whether this was intentional or not can't say for sure. It also appears that a thin white pigment is on the face next to it but does not readily appear to be on the rest of the piece. It could have been an attempt to cover and blend in the dark greenish edge. When looking at the end grain on the insert panel it also has white in the open grain area in the pores - but that could also be just sanding dust etc.
You could possibly try applying a very thin mist of white lacquer over your wood to accomplish this or a pickling white glaze/stain but I don't think it's been bleached. Bleaching would have produced a much more uniform color, though I can’t rule out the possibility of oxalic acid to lighten being used. It also looks very non professional, like maybe a painter or definitely someone not skilled in wood finishing techniques was attempting this.
