I have red oak veneer cabinets in my kitchen that seem to have been
colored with a yellow stain. The result is a light color with pink and
gray woodgrain thats really quite nice. We just put in a new oven and
need to make some trim around the cutout (its a bit smaller than the
previous oven). I can get solid red oak from home depot, but I'm not
sure about the steps to finish it (sanding, etc). I've found a stain
that I think will allow me to match the color, but I'm uncertain of the
steps to get a nice, smooth durable finish. Any help would be
appreciated.

Stacy

Are you sure it's stained? Red oak ages to a medium gold color.
See this photo, which is red oak with only poly, no stain:

http://www.delorie.com/wood/projects...dining0001.png

Red oak freshly cut is a pinkish color. With one exception, all the
red oak furniture in my house is finished with poly and time, no
stain.

yes I'm sure.