Custom Color Matching and Wood Refinishing
A Case Study By CertaPro Painters® of Palatine, IL
Preserving Elegance: Stain and Clear Coat Renewal
In October 2025, CertaPro Painters® of Palatine, IL completed a wood feature restoration for a beautiful brick home in South Barrington, Illinois. While the home itself was structurally sound, many of its wooden accents were suffering from sun damage, fading, and bare spots where the original finish had worn away. The homeowner wanted to restore the natural warmth of the wood while also protecting it with a clear, durable finish.
The project combined extensive preparation with custom stain color-matching to achieve a flawless look across multiple architectural elements. The result was a home that not only regained its elegance but also received added protection against future weathering.
Scope of the Work:
Our crew began by sanding away failing clear coatings and lightly sanding each wood surface to even out the existing stain. Where necessary, the wood was re-stained to match the original color before applying two coats of clear coat, with a light sanding between coats to ensure a smooth, consistent finish.
The work covered nearly every exposed wood element of the home, including the doors and frames, soffits, garages, beams, balconies, shutters, trim, and more! Each of these areas was carefully treated to achieve uniformity, durability, and a beautifully restored appearance.
Challenges & Solutions:
One of the project’s biggest challenges was color matching. The homeowner’s original stain was no longer available on the market, requiring our project manager, Kelly, to get creative in mixing and testing until the perfect match was achieved. This process demanded patience and precision to meet the homeowner’s expectations.
In addition, the surface preparation took nearly twice as long as a typical project, since each piece of wood had to be sanded back to bare wood before re-staining. With the use of electric sanders and expert stain application techniques, our team was able to deliver a consistent, high-quality finish that restored the home’s warm, timeless look.
Timeline:
Nine days
Project Photos
The home’s wood features showed fading & damage – see photos of the project in progress below. Click any photo to zoom in.
The Results
The wood details across the entire home were restored with rich, even color. Click any photo to zoom in.
From Prep to Perfection
See the transformation here!
Other Commercial Services We Provide
Commercial Exterior Painting
Quality exterior painting can transform a building with color, whether the project calls for conforming to existing standards or making a fresh, bold statement. We can paint all substrates including wood, stucco, vinyl and aluminum, block and cement board.
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Drywall Repair
Drywall panels can be repaired or replaced, eliminating signs of wear and tear.
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Interior Painting
Our professional painting crews will complete interior painting projects with utmost respect for the property and its occupants.
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Light Carpentry and Repairs
Repairing and replacing siding, including wood, metalwork, stucco, and EIFS – as well as interior drywall, plaster and woodwork – making sure surfaces are in good condition and ready to accept paint.
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Off-hours and Weekend Production
If a project has specific timing requirements, we’re more than happy to accommodate them.
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Power Washing
A clean surface is required for excellent paint adherence. When appropriate for the material, we offer power washing services before painting begins.
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Tilt-up Repairs and Painting
We can patch and caulk any cracked areas for protection from water intrusion and to provide a smooth surface for paint application. We’re prepared to handle every aspect of difficult-access projects.
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