Wood Tone Neutralizer for White Oak: Combat Red/Yellowing in Finishes

The user is trying to match new white oak stairs to vinyl plank flooring, but their chosen water-based clear poly is pulling out unwanted red/yellow tones from the wood. They are seeking a 'whitewash' or light grey-green tint solution. This highlights a common issue where clear finishes on certain woods alter their natural color in undesirable ways. A specialized wood pre-treatment, primer, or extremely faint tint/stain could be developed. This product would be designed to neutralize or cool down the natural warm undertones of woods like white oak, allowing users to achieve a desired neutral, gray, or 'whitewashed' aesthetic before applying a final clear topcoat, ensuring better color matching with modern flooring and decor.