Replies

1. 
   stancalow | Jun 11, 2003 03:53am | #1

   alan

   ti me cherry doesn't look good with an oil finish.  I would consider either shellac (the canned dewaxed kind is fine) or spary lacquer.

2. 
   k9s | Jun 11, 2003 05:26pm | #2

   Alan--On natural cherry I like to wipe on Minwax Tung Oil (mostly a wiping varnish with some oil). Four or five coats followed by Minwax finish wax. Takes more time than shellac (which looks great) but is very simple.--Bruce

3. 
   gpasewicz | Jun 11, 2003 05:40pm | #3

   I might go with a clear polyurethane, like Polycrylic.

4. 
   BertJ | Jun 11, 2003 05:41pm | #4

   Alan,

   Check out this excellent site:

   http://www.boomspeed.com/firstfinish/CherryFinishes01a.htm

   BJ

5. 
   dbrown | Jun 11, 2003 05:41pm | #5

   Alan,

   I would recommend several coats of Watco Danish oil in natural color followed by a good quality paste wax.  Nothing looks better on cherry (unless there are visible streaks of sapwood).  To me, staining cherry is a crime.

   Darren

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jun 11, 2003 07:37pm | #6

   All,

   Thanks for your input and the website.  The info gives me some ideas, so I am off to take a look at what I can purchase locally.  This small project will be a good (read inexpensive) way to experiment.  If I screw it up, I won't have lost much and can give it another shot.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   k9s | Jun 12, 2003 05:41am | #7

   Alan--To make the experiment even less expensive, do your testing on a scrap of the same wood. When you find what you like then finish your project.--Bruce

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jun 13, 2003 06:05am | #8

   Got it in hand!