I love the look of freshly plained cherry. I realize if cherry is oiled or just left exposed to the air it will darken. But is there a way to minimize that deep dark red colour from occuring? Any insights or thoughts would be appreciated Ivan
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UV from sunlight will cause cherry to darken. In addition, cherry darkens from oxidation even if it is in a dark closet.
Bottom line, a finish containing some UV protectors (marine finishes) will slow down the coloring from sunlight but the UV protectors in these finishes last only 1-2 years.
Use a different wood. My kitchen cabinets were made from red birch which is almost exactly the color of new cherry. Any change has been minor, compared to what cherry does. In fact, I have cherry bullnoses on the counter tops, and a cherry top on an island, they started off looking very alike, but the cherry is now quite a bit darker, as I expected.
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