How to stain Merbau brown rather than red?

[gssidhu85]

Hi, I’ve used SpecRite merbau panels indoors for a shelf above my fireplace. I already applied a walnut stain, but the panels still look quite red. I’d prefer them to have more of a natural brown tone rather than red.

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @gssidhu85. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about Merbau panels.

Could you please provide a picture of the panel as it currently looks, and maybe an inspiration image of the tone you’re aiming for? I can assist you with uploading images if you need a hand. That way, our members will have a better idea of what you're working with.

How many coats of the walnut stain have you applied so far? If it’s just one, a second or even a third coat might help reduce the red hue. Just take care not to overapply, as too many coats can obscure the timber grain if you want to keep that visible.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[gssidhu85]

 

This image with book is the color of wood that i want and the other picture with soundbar is red merbu that i want to change. I did only one coat of walnut oil and stain.

[MitchellMc]

Hi @gssidhu85,

The inspiration image is natural timber with a weathered finish. It wouldn't really be possible to go from a heavily pigmented Mebau and end up with something similar. You could continue with the Walnut stain and have a very dark Walnut coloured panel. The only way to get close to that would be to start with a much lighter-coloured timber, like Pine, and add a walnut stain to it.

Mitchell