Replies

1. 
   Beasley7 | Sep 28, 2020 07:45pm | #1

   I can't speak to the weight, because plywood comes in many thicknesses; and I don't know what thickness he is planning to use.

   I think lacquer is beautiful, but in my humble opinion, not nearly durable enough for kitchen duty. Also, because it's a kitchen, stuff will happen. A spot repairable finish is therefore desirable. Then when stuff does happen you can fix a small spot instead of refinishing the entire kitchen. Tung oil, Osmo or Rubio are all good choices.

2. 
   godelescher | Sep 28, 2020 08:45pm | #2

   Pre-catalyzed lacquer is the standard finish for almost every single cabinet manufacturer. Most offer 20 year or lifetime guarantees on the finish. I wouldn't be concerned with the finish.

   As for cherry darkening, it will. How fast and how much and how evenly depends solely on it's exposure to UV light. Cherry darkens a lot. I always try to talk people out of choosing a stained cherry, because inevitably, it's going to look how they want naturally

3. 
   laura4wood | Sep 28, 2020 10:36pm | #3

   On the "lightness" I meant that he said the wood in the rails would look darker and the plywood cherry in the panels would look lighter. If they both darken to the same general shade over time that would be fine. Or will we need to stain the plywood a bit? Thanks for your help!

4. 
   DannySnyder | Sep 28, 2020 11:43pm | #4

   This is something I've noticed as well, plywood being a lighter tone that solid wood. Would shop made veneered panels from the same lumber be a solution?

5. 
   john_c2 | Sep 29, 2020 03:06am | #5

   I use a lot of cherry, both solid and ply. 1/4 inch MDF core. I use a clear finish, and they both age the same. You wouldn't know it was plywood.

   Unless, you try to stain them. The plywood does not absorb the stain as much as the solid. So, it will be lighter. Maybe that's what he means? Don't stain. They will get plenty dark all by themselves, before you know it.

   Lacquer is fine for cabinets. As mentioned above, pre catalyzed lacquer is the norm. Cabinets are not furniture, and many furniture finishes, such as oils, do not hold up, unless you treat your kitchen cabinets like fine furniture. If a finish really touts that it is easily repairable, that's because it will need to be repaired often.

   I just would not have a wooden counter. I just wouldn't. I'm not sure what the best finish would be, because I just wouldn't do it. Again, it's a kitchen work surface, not fine furniture. Unless you seldom use your kitchen, I'd have someone make a nice sideboard with the cherry, and pick another counter material.

6. 
   ysu65 | Sep 29, 2020 06:49am | #6

   I am with John about using cherry for a counter top I cook a bit and have worked a lot with cherry and would never think about banging pots and slopping around things on cherry. Too soft. I tend to think about maintenance and ease of care not something unique. How many times will you wipe up spilled soup, chicken fat, or watermelon juice before the finish is shot.

   I may also be the only person not in love with lacquer as a cabinet finish. I had to refinish both the bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors because they got sticky. I used exterior oil base urethane, good so far.

   Good luck.

7. 
   DRBWWing | Sep 29, 2020 12:01pm | #7

   I know more about the wood than finishes, but IMO the main thing issue for me would be the consistency of grain & color tone in the plywood. Normally not a big issue but can vary even within a lot.

   That said, cherry will darken considerably, & even out quite a bit with age. I do not know how true this is of cherry plywood. If its a major concern the panels can be dyed.

   The best finishes meet KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manuf Assn) standards. If you're dealing with a commercial shop, I would go with what they suggest.

   Personally I like Target Coatings either the conversion varnish or high build lacquer. Combined with the cross linker its an extremely durable finish. They are water based, too nowadays that can be an issue depending on your state.

   I'll add to the concern over a wood countertop.