Finish For Cherry

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Paul

Member
I am making a desk out of cherry and I want to use a stain to help even out the heart wood and sap wood.  I have worked with cherry before but I can't seem to find a stain color I really like.  I prefer to use a dye stain and I have ordered Transfast Antique Cherry Brown and Cherry to try out on a sample board.  I have tried General Finishes Antique Cherry pigment stain before but found it to red.  I want an antique look but more brown than red if that makes sense.  Does anyone have a good idea for a "straight" off the shelf color or a mixture of colors they might recommend?
Thanks
Paul
 
Paul,

I have good success using a gel stain on cherry.  General Finishes has a good line of gel stains.  As you probably know, cherry will darken with age so be careful in staining it too dark to begin with.  Cherry oftens blotches when stained due to its unpredicable grain and pore structure.  I tend to only darken enough to bring it part way to its final natural color.  Best way to blend sap wood with the heart wood after staining is to spray a toner and help even the contrast.  Also, I always use a wash coat of shellac (1/2# cut) to minimize grain raising and helps to even out absorption of the stain as well.

Mickey
 
Mickey,
Thanks for the reply.  Do you any suggestions on the color of one of the General Finishes Gel Stains that you like?
Paul
 
Paul,

I have stained/dyed dozens of pieces I made in cherry.  I use the water based dye powders from Woodworker's Supply www.woodworker.com.  These dyes even out the heart and sap wood without the need to apply a sealer and there is no blotchiness but you must move quickly then staining.  The color I mostly use on cherry is their Dark Wine Cherry.  I then use a 2 lb. cut of Dark Garnett shellac from Olde Mill Cabinet Shop.  This color shellac turns the stain color into a more brown than red look.  For a more brown look use their English Brown Mahogany stain.  After the shellac you can top coat with whatever type of finish you want to use (oil or water base).

This is what works for me (and for my customers).

Dennis Bork
Antiquity Period Designs, Ltd.
 
Mickey and Dennis,
Thank you both for your suggestions.  I will do a few samples of both to test.  If I can do it half as good as you two guys do it will be a success.
Paul
 
I have also tried both dyes and stains and come back to potassium dicromate--yes, I know it's a carcinogan, but I don't use it often and I take precautions.  It's neither a dye nor a stain but causes a chemical change that closely mirrors the natural aging process.  It doesn't have any of the red associated with almost every cherry stain or dye I've encountered.  After that I use a coat of Minwax Antique oil and several coats of garnet shellac.  I've been very happy with this approach.  At least it is one more thing to consider.
 
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