Oak plywood and red oak lumber have different densities; stain penetrates at different levels. To match plywood stain color to lumber, you must limit or enhance stain exposure. Surface preparation is also important. Plywood has a finer finish than lumber. Taking these factors into consideration, you can accurately match veneered plywood to red oak lumber.
Instructions
1. Purchase stain as close in color to the oak as possible.
2. Sand the plywood by hand using sandpaper on a sanding block. Compare the surface of the plywood to the oak. When they reflect light evenly, stop sanding.
3. Pour a small amount of stain onto the cloth. Wipe a piece of scrap plywood with the cloth. Saturate the plywood evenly. Turn the cloth over to the dry side and wipe the plywood clean. Let the stain dry 15 minutes.
4. Hold up the scrap to the oak and compare the difference. If the plywood is too light, apply another coat of stain. Let it dry for 15 minutes and compare. If it still is to light, add another coat until they match.
5. Hold up the scrap to the oak. If it is too dark, pour one part lacquer thinner to four parts stain into a can. Apply the stain and wipe off. Let the stain dry for 15 minutes and compare. If it is still too light, add another part thinner to the can. Apply it to the plywood and check again. Dilute with thinner until they match.
Tags: stain minutes, another coat, compare still, compare still light, Hold scrap