Replies

1. 
   BobSmalser | Nov 14, 2003 07:26pm | #1

   Wipe some of Mama's oven cleaner (lye) on it generously...let it turn color....then wipe with a mild vinegar solution on a damp rag...and then decide.

   This is just a crude saw vise...but the cherry was so treated:

   http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/2594266/26720357.jpg

   
   

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   Edited 11/14/2003 11:28:34 AM ET by Bob

2. 
   trusche2 | Nov 14, 2003 08:21pm | #2

   You might consider Bartley's gel stain - Pennsylvania Cherry.  A past FWW article tested several brands of gel stain on cherry.

3. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 14, 2003 09:07pm | #3

   Philtertip,

   You might want to experiment on some scrap before you commit to the finished piece; a few minutes spent experimenting now could prevent frustration and heartache later.

   Cherry will change color with exposure to light - something worth planning for if you want to prevent unwelcome surprises. It is also one of the woods that are prone to splotchiness, so a "stain conditioner" can help even-out the penetration if you decide to dye or stain.

   If you decide to dye or stain your cherry, a thin coat of well-stirred sanding sealer will act as a color barrier and help prevent the colorant from infiltrating your final finsh.

   I think I'd forego a rubbed-in finish in conjunction with dye or stain beneath - an unpredictabley mess can result when the rubbed-in finish liquifies the dye or stain.

   Chemically altering the color of the wood with lye can work well.  You might also want to experiement with mordants - both alone and in conjunction with dyes or stains.

   Good luck,
   Paul

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
4. 
   forestgirl | Nov 14, 2003 09:08pm | #4

   [PS: no slight meant to jazzdog -- his post went up while I was typing.]
   Gel stain is a way of avoiding blotching, which is expected with cherry.  But it won't help with evening out already-uneven color.  I'm going to suggest if you don't get any real specific info here, that you go over to Jeff Jewitt's forum at:
   http://www.homesteadfinishing.com and post your question there.  He will probably answer personally, and he's an expert!

   PS:  I'm laying my rookie bet on dye.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

   
   

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   Edited 11/14/2003 1:12:22 PM ET by forestgirl

1. 
   jackplane | Nov 14, 2003 11:44pm | #5

   The difference is this; Dye has more finely ground pigment than Stain.This should not matter in this case.First,I'd even out the color with oxalic acid or bleach.Then pick either stain or dye.

5. 
   Tao | Nov 15, 2003 03:04am | #6

   Dye stain has no pigments at all.  It is a dye, similar to  the dye in your clothes or your rug, or somebody's hair.  The color is diisoved, not suspended, and soaks into the fibers of the wood.

   If you just want to even out the color, without otherwise altering the appearance, then dye stain is the way to go.  The factories call it sap staining.  Transtint medium brown or will get you pretty close. I would suggest that you dampen the wood with whatever solvent you are using for the stain so you can see its true color, then lightly spray the lighter areas until they match.

   Actually, if you want to just spray the whole piece to a uniform color, it wouldn't look to bad, but you'd be masking some of the natural color iof the cherry.  It might be better in the long run, since the heartwood will continue to darken.

   Michael R.

6. 
   Paul_Snyder | Nov 15, 2003 03:43am | #7

   Phil - if you don't use spray equipment, then a gel stain like the Bartley's is a good choice. Do a sample or two, the larger the better. Do one sample with the gel stain on bare wood and one with a 1 pound cut of shellac on the wood before the stain. The shellac washcoat will help keep the color even. Bartley has some tips on using their gel stain at this link - Bartley Finishing Tips.

   If you do use spray equipment, it opens a whole range of possibilities. Applying dye to cherry is best done by spraying and looks great. There's also spraying a colored finish (called a toner); either over the bare wood, dyed wood, or stained wood. Lots of possible options that look good.

   Paul

   More Cherry Finishes