Getting a smooth oil finish on cherry
I’m finishing a piece of cherry with a penetrating oil finish. The label on the finish says to prep the wood by sanding to no higher than 120 and makes no mention of multiple coats or any further sanding, wet or dry. I’m guessing 120 is recommended so the surface will be rough enough for better oil penetration.
I’d like to get as smooth a finish as possible, so I’m wondering if I should ignore the label and sand to a higher grit initially, or move into higher grits in between coats. I’m also not sure whether to involve wet sanding and whether to raise the grain with water and sand that down before applying the first coat. With so many options, I’m at a loss.
I understand cherry is tight-grained, closed-pored wood. The finish ingredients are flax oil, lemon oil, and some lead-free dryers.
Please let me know what you think! 🙂
Replies
Oil Finish
You can sand raw wood up to 180 - than wipe on and wipe off your finish oil coats for an in the wood luster. You won't need to sand any applications of oil. It will be smooth.
SA
I'm surprised that they recommend going to 120 only. On hardwood like cherry, I would go to 320. That's fine for an oil finish. It will be important to wipe off any excess oil after letting soak in. Otherwise you end up with a gooey surface of coagulated oil. No sanding required between coats, and don't raise the grain with application of water. You would only do that if you were planning to apply a water based dye, and you are not doing that.
Tim
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