New World record set..finishing...

[Phil Winn]

A decade ago, I built a Tiger Maple Pencil Post Bed....spectacular wood back then; finally got to build a blanket chest, two side tables, TV table, mirror,
suitcase table, and a 5 drawer chest--all out of Tiger Maple. I have spent
28 (twentyeight) hours trying to match the color with dye/stain. Tried
both powder dye, and Transtint Liquids.....just today 8 hours. Still not right-thought that there was some "red" in it, then orange, then brown, then darker lighter......was going to use varnish as a finish.....
Phil
PS: I do not know how to post pics, but I could take a picture of the bed and email it to someonee who wants to post it. I'm sure my $20 Digital Camera
takes great pictures....

[Jim Becker]

Did you put your top coat on your colored samples to be sure what the final color would be?? It will change the color!!

[Tim Sproul]

I have to ask why?

Most woods -maple is one albeit only a little bit- and almost all finishes change color/shade with time. I think the term is 'patina.' You might be able to come close to matching it now....but it won't match a few years from now.

I'd finish it with the same schedule you did on the bed.....and give the newly built pieces a few years to catch up.