How to achieve this finish/look

[usatu]

I like the finish on this picture. Is it stained or painted? Will it be an easy DIY job for amateur with a HVLP spray gun?

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[ajmdecorators]

To me it looks like a polished stain and would be very difficult to achieve

 

[tiralie]

Is it stained or painted?

It's stained maple with a satin or flat top coat. looks like Mocca stain, which is very popular. It was probably sprayed. It is difficult to spray stain. It is easier to wipe on and get pretty close to the same look.
Maple needs to be pre-stained to take stain evenly.
Do some tests.
Tim

 

[Sparky]

Definetly agree that it appears to be a spray stain.

 

[Gjarman12]

I don't know about this particular finish, but I tried a brand called Saman on some maple recently and I was thrilled with how consistent it went on, no blotching. It didn't penetrate well, as it sanding off very easy with my light sanding after my first coat, and I'm in the process of applying a clear coat to it, so I'm not sure how it will finish, but it made the staining an easy job rubbing it in.

 

[Jeff2413]

I just did a mudroom with a very similar color over maple.  I used a deep penetrating stain from ML Campbell but it was still pretty tuff to get the color consistent.  Beautiful results but man it was frustrating to work with. My rep later informed me that a wood conditioner mix of water and acetone mixed 40/60 sprayed on first would have been helpful. 

 

[usatu]

I am planing to stain the kitchen island. So tell me a little more. How well you sand the wood? Why mix of water and actone would be helpful? I thought that's the thing to clean the paint. Did you do glaze? Thanks alot.

I just did a mudroom with a very similar color over maple.  I used a deep penetrating stain from ML Campbell but it was still pretty tuff to get the color consistent.  Beautiful results but man it was frustrating to work with. My rep later informed me that a wood conditioner mix of water and acetone mixed 40/60 sprayed on first would have been helpful.

 

[Jeff2413]

The water and acetone actually raises the grain and helps with consistent color.  Water does the same but it really raises the grain and makes it more work to get smooth after you seal.  The acetone helps with this and dries faster. I actually used a mix of water and lacquer thinner this weekend cause I ran outa acetone. The results were the same. And depending on what wood you choose the stain makes a big difference.  I always used Old Masters but this DPS from ML Campbell is so much better for tight grained material like Maple.  Well worth the extra cost.

 

[usatu]

After you apply the mix of water and actone, what grit you sand the wood? Did you wipe the stain or spray? Do I need do this multiple times like painting? Can you pls let me know the color you used? I am also working on maple. Really appreciate your help.

The water and acetone actually raises the grain and helps with consistent color.  Water does the same but it really raises the grain and makes it more work to get smooth after you seal.  The acetone helps with this and dries faster. I actually used a mix of water and lacquer thinner this weekend cause I ran outa acetone. The results were the same. And depending on what wood you choose the stain makes a big difference.  I always used Old Masters but this DPS from ML Campbell is so much better for tight grained material like Maple.  Well worth the extra cost.

 

[Jeff2413]

Do not sand after applying the mix. Leave the grain open. The color I used was actually Valspar Antique slate.  But that stain sucked so my Campbell rep did a match either the penetrating stain.  Much easier to use. I did 1 coat and let dry.  Then a second.  2 coats of conversion varnish.  Sand.  1 top coat CV.  Done. I have 3 desk tops I just sprayed yesterday if you wanna see the color. 

 

[usatu]

Please show me the nice pictures!  [laughing]