How do I get this type of wood finish???

I'm trying to duplicate this type of finish for a dresser I am making, but I don't know how to get it. (I have always used a tung oil finish or paint and have not learned any other finish methods.) It is the Merlot/ espresso that I see on all kinds of cheap new furniture.
Any help would be great!
Thanks

 

Are you asking about the gloss or the color?

 

yes, both - I'm trying to match the finish in the photos
I have not decided what material to use yet - I default on poplar if finish will be painted. Im a big fan of African Mahogany with tung oil rub, but that limits color options for the piece. Im not sure what to use to make it look like the wood in the photo.

 

Swise,
When you have a chance go to your local Home depot & go to the paint dept. There you will find an 8' bay of MinWax Products. From the picture it looks like the "Jacobean" stain. depending on the species of wood, you'll have to xperiment to get the color right... as far as clear coating... that's also a matter of preference but I prefer to spray-on smaller pieces - it comes out nicer...
PM me if you have any questions. I've refinished quite a few pieces of furniture...
Good Luck!

 

I saw an episode of dirty jobs at a furniture factory where they had plain pale wood and applied a dripping painter mitt of some heavy dark stain or glaze or something and got the finish Im looking for. I dont think its regular stain because it had a polished sheen in one step.

 

From the pics it's hard to tell what wood that is.......mahogany maybe???? Doesn't look like it has much in the way of grain lines. If so, I would get a few small cans of stain and try them on a sample or a hidden piece of the furniture to see which matches best. Follow the directions on the can for staining the piece. For the top coat you just build up 2 or 3 coats of gloss polyurethane and finish with either semi or gloss poly, depending on what you are trying to match. The water based poly's works very well and are easy to use. You can even wet sand and wax if you want to go that far with it.

 

Thats the key - the finish is super opaque like paint, but looks like a gloss stain

 

X2 MinWax Products

 

I have tried the options in the past that you all have suggested, but did not get the look exactly. I guess I'm looking for a magical one simple coat application that will mask any wood type or color and give the finish in the pic. (besides paint)
Maybe more patience and skill on my part will help......

 

honestly, it will be tough b/c it is most likely some type of veneer over press board.
the majority of furniture is made that way these days. i always just look around and
buy antique stuff. the quality is alot better, plus you can sell it for what you have in
it. a awsome product for furniture, is old english scratch cover. it is a liquid that is sold in 2 shades for light and dark woods. several rubbs of that stuff on furniture will
make it look brand new.

 

I can't think of any one-coat cover I'd use to get a decent finish. Having refinished everything from dining tables to vintage guitars, there's a lot of different ways to get to the end but they all take patience, time, and multiple coats.
The simplest is the stain/sealer, where you get the wood to the color you want, then I use a spray gun with polyurethane for the clear coat. Refinishing instruments is a whole different story and process.