I am trying to match the finish of engineered hardwood floors on our solid oak stair treads. I am having issues and have tried many different methods but need some help. The floor looks similar to the one below. It is a dark walnut color and is wire brushed. I have tried the following:
1. I tried sanding to 150, then wire brush, begin with an oil based stain, then use a matte poly. This resulted in very dark grain and the rest of the work taking little stain. I tried leaving the stain on for longer and reapplying but the stain seems only to penetrated the grain. This looks like tiger stripes to me.
2. sand to 150, wire brush, water based dye stain- this looks very even in color and it is hard to distinguish the grain from the remaining wood- almost painted on top of
3. Sand to 150, no wire brush, oil based stain, then once dry use a water based dye on top. This evens out the remaining wood and gets me close to the finish I am trying to achieve but still looks a little off without eire brushing.
4. sand to 150, wire brush, oil stain, water based dye- this resulted in overly darkened grain- it seems like once I wire brush then the grain get really dark.

So should I try to use some pre stain conditioner, thinned out shellac? I have spent way too much time and I'm dying for some help. Thanks in advance! -Tom

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Get the color of the stain and make sure you have some gilsonite in it. the gilsonite is what will give Oak that dark grained look.

You might want to try a lighter stain, clear seal coat, then glaze. I haven't done it, just a suggestion.

I think Rich is on to it. Try a medium brown/black stain (mission oak), thin as necessry to get a lighter version of your color on the closed grain areas, seal, apply a black glaze, finish...that's my guess.

I'm with Rich and Nick. This is a two stage or even 3 stage process. I'd wire first then sand with a low speed random. Dye, seal, sand then glaze/wiping stain. Adjust if necessary. I'm a longtime GF user. Off the top of my head from the picture I'd start off with a mix of light and medium brown dye. Seal. Sand (you may even seal twice before glazing). Glaze with their consumer line (more working time) of heavier bodied Espresso stain and see where I am. Samples samples samples.....

good luck
my2cts

Try Glitsa 'Black Sable'.

Wipe on, wipe off very quickly.

May get you there without all the other steps of using a dye, or a glaze.

The multi-step process Rich proposed will work. Do the lighter color first, seal with Sealcoat shellac or whatever you like, then use an oil based gel stain or glaze to get the dark color in the pores. (You could use WB products, too, but don't use shellac sealer if you do.) Wipe really well so your base color doesn't change, seal when dry, and then apply your topcoats.

John

John. Just wondering why you say to not use shellac with WB? I use it all the time with WB. If i use Target coatings i mix from flakes but i have used seal coat under Target successfully. I have used seal coat under general finishes also.

thanks....nicko