Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 16, 2006 10:58pm | #1

   First, let me try to talk you out of wanting darker than natural cherry.  Cherry darkens considerably in the first year or so.  You can get quite a good head start if you sun tan the doors, after assembly, but before finishing.  Even if you want to go darker, I would do that before using the dye so you don't end up darker than you want. 

   A water mixed analine dye can be used to darken the tone, but unless you have a serious blotching problem with dye only I would try to avoid the gel stain because it tends to obscure the natural wood grain. 

   Shellac makes a good finish for cherry and should work well if there isn't standing water.  Shellac is about the best finish as far as resisting water vapor transfer.  It is also very easy to repair should there be any damage.  And it be applied in a short period of time, and rubbed out to satin with steel wool. 

1. 
   MarkMacLeod | Mar 02, 2006 06:32pm | #2

   Hiya Steve:I am following up. I ended up using 2 coats of tried and true varnish oil finish, exactly as recommended on the can. After curing for 2 days I finished with paste wax (uncoloured) and rubbed out with 0000 steel wool. The cabinet looks amazing. I think it is the best piece of work I've ever done, it challenged all of my skills, and I learned lots. I can see the things, some little, some larger, that I would do differently, but I'm really happy with the outcome. I should take a picture and post it.Lastly, I used a technique for construction from FHB about 2 years ago that used a sub faceframe as a method to give an inset door look without having to make inset doors.Thanks for all of your advice.Mark

1. 
   JMadson | Mar 04, 2006 09:22pm | #3

   Got any photos? I would love to see how dark it ended up.thanksJoe