Oak coloured Paint?

[auzzie]

Our downstairs windows are made out of Idigbo and look a lovely Oak colour. However our upstairs are made of Mahogany. The Mahogany frames are in really good condition and we are loathed to take these out, plus the fact it will wreck the render which cost us a fortune to have re done. Is there, does any body know, an external paint that looks like the colour of light oak? I take it that the Mahogany frames will need a base coat as they are very dark. I know that it won't be any where near the exact match but something as close to it, will do me!

[davejonno]

If the mahogany window frames are real mahogany you won’t be able to stain it light oak without bleaching it lighter first. Mahogany is naturally darker than medium oak. Once the paint or varnish has been removed wash down with white spirit and scotch bright to remove any paint striper and paint or varnish still left in the grain. Sheet all the areas up well and apply one of the branded wood bleaches (colourback). I generally use oxalic acid but any branded wood bleach from most decorators’ merchants will do the same. Apply evenly and leave over night remove with plenty of clean water. When dry sand down well as the grain will have risen, you can then apply a spirit stain with a brush and wipe with a sponge to remove excess. Bare in mind when buying stains they are usually made to be put on soft wood not hardwood so if you require a light oak stain then a try a teak stain on mahogany this is more likely to match light oak but it is best to try an inconspicuous area first. If it’s to dark mix mentholated spirits with the stain to make a lighter stain. AS WITH ALL CHEMICALS TAKE PRECAUTIONS WITH YOUR SKIN, EYES, AND VENTALATION.

[auzzie]

Will try that, many thanks dave.

[coccinelle]

Or you could just as your thread suggests paint the windows upstairs as near to the light oak as possible. You'd need to go along to a DIY shop and look at their colour catalogue.