Replies

1. 
   mudman | Jan 12, 2006 06:51pm | #1

   Spray a aniline dye over the sealer then finish. Or mix a compatible dye (water, oil, or alcohol solvent) into the finish.

   Mike

2. 
   arkriver | Jan 12, 2006 08:01pm | #2

   Not sure how dark you want to go, but if you want to hasten the darkening that cherry normally gets, wipe it down with linseed oil. It will instantly darken the cherry. Let that dry, maybe a week, and then finish. Give it a try on a scrap piece to see if thats something you would like

1. 
   Crocusboy | Jan 22, 2006 07:58am | #5

   I don't think one can use water-based finishes on top of linseed oil...

1. 
   arkriver | Jan 22, 2006 05:56pm | #6

   I would test on a scrap to be sure.

2. 
   MikeFitz | Jan 23, 2006 09:02pm | #7

   Waterlox isn't water based.  It is a tung oil type finish.

3. 
   stantheman | Jan 13, 2006 01:48am | #3

   CptanPanic

   Have you tried suntanning the cherry first?  It will darken quite a bit from a couple of sunny days. 

   I finished a cherry table a couple of months ago with a couple of coats of BLO and then waterlox.  It has darkened considerably jsut sitting there. 

   If you want to avoid dyes and stains, you could try a coat or two of dark garnet shellac, to which you could also add some alcohol-soluble dye. 

    

1. 
   mudman | Jan 13, 2006 06:21pm | #4

   I like the garnet shellac idea. Makes a great sealer as well.

   Mike