Mixing oil based stains

[Don Morris]

I put the brochure of General Finishes oil based stains up against some cypress cabinetry I'm going to try match reasonably close with a Mission style Mantel Clock out of cypress. To me, the stains were either too yellow or too red, or brown. Or the stain needed more of something. Within a brand and type of stains, can i add to or mix stains? For instance: if a stain needed a little more brown, could I add a little Mahogany stain to some trial pieces of cypress and sort of mix my own formula?

[Scott Holmes]

Sure, measure carefully, so you can reproduce the color if more is needed.

[Jamie Schmitz]

Artists oils can also be used so that you will not need to buy another can of stain.

[Rich Engelhardt]

Yep - intermix, artist's oil color and/or a universal tint can be added.
Like Scott says though - keep an accurate record of what you do.

Also - in the case of artist's oil &/or universal colorant -- easy does it since they can and will affect the ability of the stain to dry.
Some Japan or Cobalt drier can kick over the artist's oil mix, but, if you overdo it with UC, you could end up with something that won't ever dry & nothing can bring it back to where it will dry.