Scrolling Steve Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I am about to make some of Steve Good's test tube wooden vases and the face of these will be 1/4 Cherry that I got from Ocooch hardwoods...I have never used Cherry in a project before, so how do you guys and gals finish it?!....Do you use any oils or topcoats?...Thanks for your feedback !..Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heppnerguy Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I would like to help you with this question but one of my many week points is in finishing.. There are so many ways to go about it so I will be interested to see what others might say. As you know, there are many knowledgeable people here. Just remember, finishing is like choosing the perfect blade, There are a lot of different ideas on that subject too. so both you and I will have our eyes and ears positioned to find the suggestions to your question.. Dick heppnerguy Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldhudson Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Cherry finishes beautifully with BLO and that pattern doesn't need a topcoat unless you prefer glossy look. Here's one I did last year with the BLO finish. And cherry works well with all power tools. Scrolling Steve and Lucky2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleApple Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I've used danish oil (natural) for one project and poly-urethane for 2 others. Danish oil darkens the Cherry wood somewhat, but it looks great. The poly also darkened the wood some, but gave it a nice shine Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCROLLSAW703 Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 personally, I just use shellac & Watco spray gloss. It brings out the true color of the wood, & is plenty to seal & protect it. If I don't want near the shine, I use the semi gloss. Deft is ok too, but try it on some scrap first. It has a tendancy to change the look of the project. I sure wouldn't stain it if it's cherry. Let the true color shine through! You won't be disappointed! Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I use Cherry sometimes and normally I use the BLO/MS min, then spray with Deft clearcoat, semi-gloss after it dries a few days. Can not tell you this is the best, just what I do. The BLO/MS pops the color and grain, the Deft protects,,, I guess. heppnerguy and Scrolling Steve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTTHECLOCKMAN Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Alot has to do with the look you are after. I have used Cherry many times. I mostly use a Danish oil as my finish coat which seals it and adds a low luster to it. But I have also done a BLO with a satin lacquer finish. I just do not like the look of poly on wood projects unless it is called for for protection. Lacquers will allow the wood to have a deep look to it. Cherry will darken with time no matter what you do. The more it is in the sun light the quicker this happens. But it is a rich look and that is why it is a favorite for many furniture makers and cabinet makers. Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill WIlson Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 John pretty much nailed it. The selection of finish for any project involves several criteria, the species of wood being among them. Some woods just look better with certain types of treatments. Cherry is one of them, IMHO. An oil or oil based finish really pops the grain and enhances the color, but as John said, cherry will darken naturally, over time, so years from now, the difference between one finishing schedule and another may be minor. I like to use BLO to start, to pop the grain and color, especially if I'm going to topcoat with a waterborne finish. What you use as a topcoat is totally a matter of personal preference. Are you going for a high gloss look or more of a low luster? Does the piece need any protection from abrasion, moisture, etc? For most of my scrollsawn projects, I use shellac. It's easy to spray, dries very fast, low odor, easy to clean up, gives a nice gloss without the heavy, plastic film look of polyurethane, but can be rubbed out to a reduce the sheen, if desired. Also, shellac imparts it's own amber tint to the wood, so often on woods like cherry or walnut, a BLO treatment isn't really necessary. Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denny Knappen Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 I just finished the "Nosy Dragon Shelf Sitter" puzzle. It is solid 7/8" Cherry and I used 50% BLO/MS. If I want a hard finish, I will follow up with spray Polyurethane. UncleApple and Scrolling Steve 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Johnson Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Love the color and grain of Cherry wood Steve. For the two items (Cherry wood) attached I used Minwax wipe on poly / clear satin. Applied four coats. Scrolling Steve and sweetsaw 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerJay Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 (edited) Oil lends itself to a beautifully warm and rich looking finish on Cherry - but - at least IMHO - Cherry is also a bit more brittle than many hardwoods and shows abuse very quickly - meaning - a little additional protection is helpful - in the working kind of environment you are talking about you might think about following up the oil treatment with a polyurethane finish - my own go-to finish is 3 or more spray coats of Minwax Semi-Gloss - and then rubbed and polished with an application of wax that is impregnated into 0000 steel wool. Jay Edited February 1, 2017 by RangerJay Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye10 Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 Love the color and grain of Cherry wood Steve. For the two items (Cherry wood) attached I used Minwax wipe on poly / clear satin. Applied four coats. Ron I got to make me some toys. Those you made are so nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted February 1, 2017 Report Share Posted February 1, 2017 John summed it up pretty well. I suggest taking some pieces of cherry (maybe 1" x 4") and testing various finishes mentioned here. When you find the look you want you have your answer. I would also suggest some things but they have been mentioned. Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I am about to make some of Steve Good's test tube wooden vases and the face of these will be 1/4 Cherry that I got from Ocooch hardwoods...I have never used Cherry in a project before, so how do you guys and gals finish it?!....Do you use any oils or topcoats?...Thanks for your feedback !..Steve. my first encounter with cherry was a piece coated with 50/in one coat clear.Very thick finish on cherry.It was John 3:16 cut out in a heart shaped cherry plaque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrolling Steve Posted February 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 Thanks for all the feedback folks !....I have some of the finishes discussed above and will do a couple different finishes...Thanks again for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 I don't like gloss finishes on anything other than turnings. I also prefer a wipe on gel varnish for most projects. Or I will use a satin spray lacquer for fretwork. Ron beautiful work on those toys.! Scrolling Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaughn Posted February 2, 2017 Report Share Posted February 2, 2017 (edited) I use 2 coats of Watco Danish oil, let it dry overnight and then 2 coats of Watco Wipe-on Poly. While wearing latex gloves, I hand rub the second coat of poly to get a soft sheen. Edited February 2, 2017 by Blaughn Scrolling Steve and heppnerguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 Blaughn Now that is what cherry should look like! Beautiful finish. Blaughn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UncleApple Posted February 3, 2017 Report Share Posted February 3, 2017 I use 2 coats of Watco Danish oil, let it dry overnight and then 2 coats of Watco Wipe-on Poly. While wearing latex gloves, I hand rub the second coat of poly to get a soft sheen. IMG_05881.JPG Stunning piece of work! I like to use Danish Oil as well. I just bought the Watco Wipe-On Poly & haven't used it yet. Again, beautiful work! Blaughn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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