Selecting the Right Colour

• Colour charts and samples are for guidance. The only accurate test for colour is to try it on an identical piece of timber - either an offcut or an inconspicuous patch, for example under a table top.
• Check the natural colour: wipe the bare wood with a cloth dampened with water or white spirit to give an idea of what the wood would look like with a colourless oil or varnish.
• Even treated woods will darken with age, so choose a colour one shade lighter than the final colour you want.
• Take into account the effect of the finish on the colour. Most polyurethane varnishes add a yellow tinge.
• Even the best-quality colourants can vary from batch to batch. Buy sufficient quantities to finish the job. If you need more than one tin, mix them together in a bucket before you start.
• If dyeing, check that the product is compatible with your chosen finish. Play safe by using products from the same manufacturer and from the same range - a quick-drying varnish over a quick-drying dye, for example.