Replies

1. 
   user-83153 | Dec 22, 2007 02:25am | #1

   Mike,

   If you intend on using an oil-base finish you may have some darker spots due to the different absorption rates of cherry caused by latent figure. I like that look because that is what cherry is supposed to do. Some people think it looks like a mistake.

   If you are using a wipe on varnish (poly or not), you are going to need more than a few coats. Three coats of wipe on is usually considered equal to one coat brushed on. The good thing is you can do three coats at a time about an hour apart, let that dry overnight and repeat the process three times. I wouldn't use poly myself, I would use Waterlox Original Sealer (which is a wipe on) or Behlens Rockhard thinned 50% to make it a wipe on.

   If you do decide to pretreat the wood (I wouldn't), don't waste your money on any of the commercial pretreatment products. They are usually just thinned varnish which is the same thing as the wipe on varnish you are already using. Seal it with a thin coat of shellac. If you really want the cherry to look great put a coat of BLO on it, let that cure for at least a few days in a warm spot, then apply a couple of coats of garnet shellac and then your wipe on varnish.

                   Rob

1. 
   MBaybut | Dec 24, 2007 12:58pm | #2

   Rob,
   Thanks.I'll give that a shot on some scrap peices and see how it looks.
   Merry Christmas,
   Mike

2. 
   booch | Dec 26, 2007 01:53am | #3

   Charachter is important.

    

   If you want depth put on a penetrating oil (watco Natural) Really Wipe it down hard afterward and let it set up a week. At least.

   Maybe run a scraper over the fuzzy areas after it cures.

   Then polyurethane for an inpenetrable finish. One coat. let dry. wet sand with 400 to 600 grit really softly (use water spritzed over the surface) wipe it off. Let air dry. Possibly two coats before you sand. Don't sand thru the finish. just level and de fuzz it

   Put on another coat of Polyurethane. Repeat the sand and finish process until it is smooth as glass. Last coat, thin out the poly, or use a Flecto brand version that is really thin & self leveling. Now lay it on with care. lay it flat & smooth and step away til it cures.

   Wood is what it is. Stain & colorants are not my style. I think you will appreciate the truth in the wood more than not.

    

   Jack of all trades and master of none - you got a problem with that?
3. 
   troys | Dec 27, 2007 05:24am | #4

   I have an older friend who would answer questions like that with why don't you do a test yourself:) drove me nuts. Anyway it is a good idea I just did a table for my new kitchen out of cherry and used minwax wipe on satin poly and it worked very well. The cabinets that I did not make are cherry with a factory finish I am assuming a laquer and they don't look a lot different than the poly finish. I would suggest getting a can of the stuff and trying it. Oh my table is made of solid would cherry ply might give you a different result. Good luck

   Troy