Need help identifying this wood and finish. It looks like pine to me but could be really knotty cherry. The finish almost looks orange. I am trying to build something to match it and not sure how to go about it. Any help greatly appreciated.

Sure looks like pine, to me. Maybe with a cherry stain. Hopefully our go to finish guy, Keith can chime in.

Maybe pine with orange shellac finish?

Could be, Tom.

Cameras sometimes can't capture the same subtleties in colors that the eye sees in person. Then, there's the differences in how different device displays render the colors. 

A little rub with denatured alcohol in an inconspicuous spot would tell if it was shellac or something else.

Definitely pine and maybe Provencal Minwax stain. You could try on a sample board but the problem will be that pine blotches and each board will finish a little different unless it is prepped correctly with sealer and then correct color. Maybe our finishing guru will be along soon.

10 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Definitely pine and maybe Provencal Minwax stain. You could try on a sample board but the problem will be that pine blotches and each board will finish a little different unless it is prepped correctly with sealer and then correct color. Maybe our finishing guru will be along soon.

I have to agree with Gerald. Looks like pine.

 

Remember, the piece has changed color since it was new, so you have to take into consideration that whatever you match to it will probably darken down over time and won't match exactly.

 

Another avenue, if you know the original manufacturer of the piece (if there is a label) you can contact them. They may be able to tell you what type and color or finish was used. It is still no guarantee of a color match but it may put you in the ballpark to run some test pieces for a somewhat close color match to the companion piece.

 

Failing that, it will require a LOT of test pieces and experimentation to get it close.

I say pine also.  Along with the finish how old is it.  Everything darkens with age.

I would say knotty alder and if I was putting the finish on I would mix the color in with the lacquer and spray it on. Staining the wood is very hard to get an even looking overall finish like it is. Rubbing the finish on brings out more of the grain .

     Reminds me of some of the new  early american furniture that the furniture stores sold back then. But back then most of the early american styles were of maple wood!

Personally as pine ages it turns orange to red in nature.  It could be pine and shellac or poly or laq.  How old of a peice is this?

I do agree with Small Patch it could be knotty Alder also. 

I would pull it away from the wall and look at the back side of the sides or middel stile.

From there if it is all the same color then I supect pine or Alder with some sort of stain. 

In a hidden place try some denatured alchol if it softens it is Shellac.

In a hidden place try some laq thinner if it softens it is Lac.

If neither soften it is probably poly or varnish.  

Good luck. 

 

Pine, and maybe Ponderosa.  When I was making shelves and blanket box to match other furniture, I found that ponderosa pine plywood had the best match for grain and knots to the existing.  The "select pine" at HD has no knots, but the "common board" (not sure what species that is) has knots, but also is poor wood (twists and bends, and since it's all 3/4, very difficult to plane, unless you need 1/4 finish thickness!).  Pic looks like maybe maple blend version of stain.

Pine!

I would not even try to match the color, I am horrible at that.

@skiler, perhaps we can help you more if you tell us what it is you want to build to match? Thanks sir!

7 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

Sure looks like pine, to me. Maybe with a cherry stain. Hopefully our go to finish guy, Keith can chime in.

1st. off i aint no xspert, ever time i look at it, Honey comes to what's left of my grey matter(where'd that come frum)

Thanks to all! I have no idea how old it is but I do know that she bought it at a second hand store. I am making a flag case for her late husbands memorial flag. I am in agreement with you guys on pine.

Thanks for your input. I will try the things listed here and see what I get. I didn't expect so many answers so fast. You guys are great!

29 minutes ago, skiler said:

I am making a flag case for her late husbands memorial flag.

Skiler, I am assuming the flag case will occupy a space on that cabinet? I would not match the cabinet color. Now you know why I asked what you were going to build. I would go for some contrast, I would make the flag case dark, either by stain, or by paint. A black flag case would look striking sitting atop that beautiful honey colored pine. Or, walnut would be a wonderful choice too. I would go that route, if you build a case to match the cabinet, the case may kind of blend too much and disappear into the background.

This will also get you out of the job of color matching. Contrast!

John sounds good to me. Matching that is the last thing I want to do. Maybe I can talk the lady out of matching it but for now that is her requirement.

1 hour ago, skiler said:

John sounds good to me. Matching that is the last thing I want to do. Maybe I can talk the lady out of matching it but for now that is her requirement.

It is her requirement Skiler, on that note, as a builder craftsman, you have the flexibility of suggesting your opinion, as a matter of fact, as a builder craftsman serving a customer, it's your duty/responsibility to bring what you know is right, to daylight in order for her to make the best choice. When I built "things" for folks in the past, often times what they wanted in the beginning, looked nothing like the finish piece, after we discussed it and brainstormed together.

In order to pay homage to her husband appropriately from my stand point of view, and my experience, would be to have his flag stand out to view, not blend in from view. A contrasting case would be ideal in this situation. I would opine to her, that view.

But, the customer is the customer, and frequently we aqueous to their desires.

I agree with John.  Trying to match a color, if not pretty darn close, might turn out looking like a failed effort.  If she insists, maybe you could make some test pieces with as close a match as you can, keep track of the proportions whatever you mix up, and show them to her.  Let her make a choice of what color she wants to live with.  And although she doesn't know any of us, pass on our condolences on her loss.  And you could also show her some contrasting pieces, just to give her more of a choice.

Edited May 4, 20188 yr by PostalTom
Added additional info.

The color looks a lot like an entertainment center I built several years ago. It was built out of pine and was finished with orange shellac. Since it isn't in my home, I can't be sure of the color match. I was never a fan of minwax, so I know I didn't use that.

Edited May 5, 20188 yr by It Was Al B

Well, this is how it came out. She loved it.