Replies

1. 
   PDReynolds | Feb 20, 2001 02:42am | #1

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   Cherry wood is renowned for going blotchy when you apply stain. I know I've read tips on how to get around this, but I can't remember exactly what was involved- maybe sealing with shellac first? My question would be why not leave the natural color of the wood? You could finish it without stain and let the natural color of the wood deepen with age.

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   gpwestmoreland | Feb 20, 2001 04:59am | #2

   *Bob, I second PD's advice; I don't think any stain can match the appearance of cherry, unstained, with an oil finish, especially after it's had a chance to sit for a while and age. But before you make up your mind about the stain, try wiping the stained sample with mineral spirits (thinner), and see how it will look after the final finish. I just completed a maple bookcase for a customer who wanted it to closely match another piece in her living room. I used a Maple Amber Cherry analine dye stain (my first attempt at using dye stains). After staining the bookcase, I was a little disappointed because of slight blotchiness, and a faded washed out look. Then I hit it with the finish (oil-varnish mixture). The blotchiness was replaced with the figure in the maple, which just almost jumped off the wood it was so good. Dye stains are supposedly good for cherry also. GP

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   Paul_Shackelford | Feb 20, 2001 06:02am | #3

   *One of the best ways, and there are several, is to seal the cherry with a 1 lb. cut of shellac, (1 pound of shellac to 1 gallon of solvent) then after the shellac dries apply your stain. I've had good luck with gel stains. What this process is does is also introducing you to glazing which is the same idea. Try that on a test piece and see what you think. If you need it darker just apply another THIN coat of shellac and another coat of stain.

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   wedgehead | Feb 20, 2001 06:10am | #4

   *Used Bartleys gel varnish on my cherry cabinets. It took about 6 mo. or so for the color to really show completely, but nothing really compares to the natural color of cherry exposed to sunlight. It just takes on this golden brown that can't really be duplicated. I'm very happy now that my cabinet man talked me out of staining.

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   CStanford_ | Feb 20, 2001 02:10pm | #5

   *Don't stain it. Use an oil and wax finish and let nature take its course. Danish oil will work fine.

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   Don_Stephan | Feb 26, 2001 03:19am | #6

   *Another way to avoid blotching is to spray on a dye or stain, but only if you don't wipe it while wet. Can also use a conditioner. I think this is explained well in Great Wood Finishes by Jeff Jewitt.