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Topic: U-Line Area Remodeling (Read 2425 times) previous topic - next topic

U-Line Area Remodeling

I was unsuccessful in getting an older door that would fit in the old U-Line Ice Maker location.  I ended up having David Flanigan make me a door and fill rail.  I will do the drawers and glides myself.  I received the door and all of the hardware today.  Door looks great.  I only have one issue.  The color tone is lighter than what is in the coach.  The wife says she is ok with it, but it bugs me. I'm a perfectionist.  I know that it has been discussed in the forum that walnut gets darker with age.  Is there anything I can do to help it blend better?  Will the sun help it get darker?  I was going to call David for insight also.

John M.
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #1 –
Quote from: John Morales –
I know that it has been discussed in the forum that walnut gets darker with age.  Is there anything I can do to help it blend better?  Will the sun help it get darker?

John M.

For sure, it will darken. Just look behind any face plate, window trim bracket, light fixture, etc., mounted on your other interior walnut.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
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Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #2 –
It must be very difficult for the craftsmen to match the exact color/shade of the old wood in our classic coaches.  We had some wood work done at FOT 6 years ago.  Photos taken at the time show the difference between original wood and new wood (drawers, end table, and dining table).  In our case, the new wood looked more "dark brown" and less "golden brown" at least to me.  (The difference is much more noticeable in the flash photographs)  Now when I go in the coach, I don't see so much variation.  Either the new wood has changed, or my eyesight is less sensitive to the color difference.  Whatever.  We have always been very satisfied with the FOT Remodel Shop work, and that's all that matters to us.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #3 –
Both aged walnut and cherry are tough to match with new wood.  Ther are so many variations in both woods that just one board to the next will be different.

I always have way more lumber on hand than I need so that there choices can be made in the sorting process for color and grain.  I am having pretty good luck matching cherry now but always do samples before committing to final stains and finishes.  Once you put a final top coat on time is the only thing that will make any difference.

My walnut choices are old growth black walnut. It is darker than any walnut interior I have seen in a FT.  It has the same nice reddish color though.  Much of the walnut you get today is browner.

The differences between Chuck's photos and John's are different walnut variants.  I doubt Dave F's woodworkers do any staining to try to match, they just put a clear satin top coat on, most likely a catalyzed lacquer.

First picture is a walnut table top I made that Jeff and Sandy have now.
Second and third pictures are our cherry table top that I made for our coach. Mesquire and ebony inlays.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #4 –
In the middle photo I posted, the original drawer fronts look much lighter than the new wood.  Those particular pieces of OEM wood are lighter colored than all of the other interior pieces.  I have always believed this was due to their location directly across from the entry door.  I figure some of the (4) previous owners must have left the outside door open a lot and the sunshine lightened the wood.  Don't know if this is true...

Does walnut bleach out (lighten) when exposed to direct sunlight?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Both aged walnut and cherry are tough to match with new wood.  Ther are so many variations in both woods that just one board to the next will be different.

I always have way more lumber on hand than I need so that there choices can be made in the sorting process for color and grain.  I am having pretty good luck matching cherry now but always do samples before committing to final stains and finishes.  Once you put a final top coat on time is the only thing that will make any difference.

My walnut choices are old growth black walnut. It is darker than any walnut interior I have seen in a FT.  It has the same nice reddish color though.  Much of the walnut you get today is browner.

The differences between Chuck's photos and John's are different walnut variants.  I doubt Dave F's woodworkers do any staining to try to match, they just put a clear satin top coat on, most likely a catalyzed lacquer.

First picture is a walnut table top I made that Jeff and Sandy have now.
Second and third pictures are our cherry table top that I made for our coach. Mesquire and ebony inlays.

Boy, do we love that Table! We are eternally grateful Roger and Susan.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #6 –
Jeff and Sandy,  See you in September for the Buffalo Roundup!
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #7 –
Chuck, my experience with walnut is the it does get lighter over time but the color doesn't change much.  Cherry is the opposite, UV rays make it get darker and richer looking.  I have walnut tables I built 45 years ago that look lighter now.  And cherry in our coach that has been covered is lighter.  They do make UV resistant finishes, sort of like sunscreen) that slow this down.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #8 –
John it looks fine to me but I understand your point.  You could try staining it. I used gunstock  stain on my TV cabinet side panels and it came out close to the lower walnut panels. Then finished with a sanding primer then clear coat.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
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Retired

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #9 –
John, see PM with ideas to try. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #10 –
Well, I lighly sanded the door down, blew it off wiped it down with a tack cloth.  We sprayed the door with the Minwax Satin Polyshade Colonial Oak Finish.  The color was recommended by David Flanagan.  Using the Polyshade Aerosol was my choice.  Designed  The tone came out pretty good.  Close enough. Could have been a little more orange in tone.  Maybe using the Pecan or Olde Maple would have toned it more.  The Minwax Polyshade worked great!
Thank you to all for your suggestions and ideas,
John M
John & Carm Morales

"We travel not to go anywhere, but to just go.  We travel for travel's sake.  Our great desire is to move."
 

Re: U-Line Area Remodeling

Reply #11 –
We removed U-line ice maker, had a single door made, and use all the space for large food packages.  It is our best big box, water, etc kitchen storage. 

No selves, or other fixed things in there.