How to Mix Wood Stains to Create Custom Colors

[jonteewilly1]

great if you can afford to buy all the colours to begin with!!

[donsjuand]

If you're not sure what to mix, get a color wheel for reference and ask the manufacturer/read the label to find out what types are compatible. Then test ratios on spare wood of the same type.

[fastinpast]

What he should have included is that darker color ratios are much less than the lighter base, where you should start. A little bit of the darker stain will drop the color tone very quickly.

[boscoesarmy]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[ronhazelton]

Yes, I guess it could seem pretty obvious. But after working with folks doing refinishing projects for years, I've found that many people think they're limited to what's on the shelf when it comes to colors. In reality, you can create any color you want.. This is particularly useful when trying to match an existing shade.

[jityr2]

@ronhazelton If you just paint wood, it mostly hides the look and the grain of the wood. But if you stain it, it retains the wood look and its grain lines. Are there pretty red wood stains available? Could they be just as pretty as red paint without hiding the look of the wood?

[nsgibson]

i thought this would be helpful, but rather i'm just filing it under "DUH!!" obviously mixing colors results in different colors.

[Graphicsk8]

THANK YOU!!

[Graphicsk8]

PLEASE RESPOND if i mixed a red stain and a yellow stain would i get orange? i dont want to buy three stains

[ronhazelton]

Yes, you would.

[Graphicsk8]

thank you i have one more question would you put more red in or more yellow or equal PLEASE RESPOND

[ronhazelton]

When it comes to mixing colors there is no real hard and fast formula -- it's really a trial and error process. Start with yellow and add a small amount of red. Test on a piece of scrap wood. The more red you add, the more orange the stain will become.