Finishing Cherry?

[mowerman1193]

Hi everyone,

I cut the first pattern CL001 from this page http://www.scrollsawartist.com/scrol...rns/clocks.htm

I used Cherry and plan to put in a chrome picture ring/frame in it.Although I do have a gold frame clock I could use if that would look better with the cherry..

Anyway, what is a good finish to use on cherry? Like for it to look good for my wife's Valentine's present..I also plan to cut another of this same pattern but will use BB for that..Could use some finishing help on that as well..I really do not know much about finishing wood, put allot of nice paint jobs on old cars but thats allot different than wood, LOL

Thanks for any advice you can give,
Kevin

[Plaquerd]

Kevin
I think a good quality spray lacquer would be fine. I use Deft spray lacquer sealer and Deft spray lacquer on most of my pieces, with all kinds of wood and have very good results with it. Sealer first, let it dry, sand lightly with fine grit paper (I use 600 wet /dry paper, dry), blow off the dust, shoot with lacquer, let it dry, sand lightly with 600, blow off the dust shoot again and it should be ok. If you are experienced with spraying there should be no problems.
Others here use different methods and I'm sure some will give more ways to do it.

[lucky788scroller]

I would: sand it good, then blow off all the dust. Then, either dip it in danish oil, or slobber danish oil on it good. Cherry can soak up quite a bit of danish oil, so be sure it sucks up plenty.Because the clock you cut doesnt have a lot of tiny frets, you probably dont need to blow excess oil of if the frets, but if you feel like blowing out the frets a little, go ahead. After about 5 minutes, wipe off the excess with some paper towelling. Then place it somewhere for at least 24 hours for the oil to dry good. Then, with some gloss Deft in the aerosol can,give it two coats, allowing it to dry between coats. Then sand it lightly with 400 grit, wipe off the dust, and spray it again. then, sand again with 400, wipe off the dust,then, depending on the look your trying to achieve, give it one more coat of aerosol deft,either satin, semi-gloss, or gloss. I myself prefer a semigloss finish. Then, take pictures, and show us! Dale

[Barefoot1]

I agree with Lucky, almost. I don't spray any finishes, after the danish oil I seal with a wipe on poly. Also with cherry I would sand to at least 400. Cherry will give you an awesome finish when you do. When done, you can buff with 0000 steel wool. Just my 2 cents.

[Marsha]

Cherry is one of my favorite woods, when it's finished it is beautiful. I finish with wipe on poly, and buff with brown paper, (I can't stand the feel of steel wool so I don't use it).The butterfly box below is cherry and the lid of the card box is also cherry. It's real important to sand cherry quite well, the grain has a tendency to lift. On a fretwork piece I would place the wipe on poly in a shallow pan, large enough to hold your piece, then dip the piece. Allow to dry thoroughly, before sanding and reapplying. 3 dips should give you a real nice finish.
Cherry boxes 2.jpg
That's my 2¢ worth
Marsha

[unixpro]

If you've got the patience, I like a nice shellac and wax finish. I put on 3 coats of shellac, buffing with steel wool between each, and 2 coats of a high-grade wax, again with the steel wool. It gives a very warm feel to the piece that people just can't resist touching. It's a very time-consuming finish, though.

If I'm not going to do that, then I'll go with the natural danish oil, wait 72 hours (I like to be sure), and then 2 or 3 coats of deft with a light sanding between.

[mowerman1193]

Thanks for all your advice, Now it looks like I have more choices than I wished for, LOL I think maybe what I will do after googling some of this info to learn more about them..I might try a few of these methods on some of the scraps to see what finish I like the best..

Thanks again,
Kevin

[tomsteve]

one more choice. i love to see cherry with b.l.o. on it. a top coat of varnish makes it beautiful, but finish of your choice is good. iffen the top coat doesnt have a uv protective in it, it will darken with time. i think thats pretty cool as i think it brings out more of the beauty. even with just b.l.o., you can re apply it after a few months or years and give it a whole new look., but i prefer a top coat. hope yer havin fun makin dust!!!!