Replies

1. 
   DougF | Sep 15, 2006 04:24pm | #1

   Chris,

   The cherry will darken with time regardless of the finish since it is a process of oxidation that no finish will prevent although it may be slow things.  Direct exposure to the sun will help speed the process but it still takes years for the change to fully develop.  It is possible that the current finish is a better sealer and it may contain some UV blockers, all of which will slow but not stop the oxidation process.

   Doug

1. 
   cwalvoord | Sep 15, 2006 04:32pm | #2

   Doug,
   Thanks for the info. That certainly makes sense to me but when I look at the stools I am amazed at the difference in color. We have had the older ones are about five years and they have turned a very rich brown all on their own. The newer ones are bout three years old and do not seem to have changed color at all in spite of the fact that they have spent some time outside in the direct (blazing) sun on our back deck. Whatever finish the manufacturer switched to in the interim certainly slowed the oxidation considerably.
   Chris

2. 
   Pondfish | Sep 15, 2006 06:02pm | #3

   Finishes may affect the rate of darkening, but not the ultimate amount of darkening.   But you may be seeing the result that pieces of cherry from different trees can age very differently.  Check out the attached picture:  all pieces were finished at the same time with the same O/V finish.  When completed, all cherry parts had pretty much the same color tone.  Now, 18 months later, the doors are very dark, the top somewhat dark, the rails (flatsawn) a little dark, and the posts (rift sawn) hardly changed from the day I cut them.

   You can continue to put the chairs outside, but cherry can take 100 years to fully oxidize and darken.  Be patient.

    

    

    

   Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005

   
3. 
   gmoney | Sep 15, 2006 11:58pm | #4

   there is an additonal factor.  cherry is not always cherry per se.  cherry will vary in color based on where it's grown.  i have some cherry that darkens quickly and beautifully and other cherry that just seems to change very little.