Cherry darkens with exposure to sun. If the furniture looks lighter from exposure to sunlight, it’s probably because UV light has degraded the lacquer, in which case strip and refinish is the most likely answer.
The other possibility is that it is not cherry, and some of the stain has faded. If that is so, and the topcoat os OK, then a toner can be used to bring some of the color back. As I described in another post, toner is just color in very thin lacquer, applied in thin coats until the desired color is achieved. Topcoating after the color is reached is recommended.
Michael R.
Replies
If natural finished cherry (no stain is used) is left in direct sun light for several years it will first darkin then it will bleach out to a light tan color. Removing the finish & staining is the only way I have found to repair it.
Erv
FWIW, I have two rooms of "cherry" furniture, that is actually poplar, stained to look like cherry.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled