Best finish for cherry?

[jonmnelson]

I just made a silverware tray out of cherry and need some suggestions about how best to finish it. I've read about boiled linseed oil, but can anyone suggest anything else that might look nice? I'm not so much looking to stain the wood, but am open to any suggestions.

Thanks.

[DonHo]

My favorite finish for cherry or any highly figured wood is Watco Danish oil, I usually use 3 or 4 coats (wipe down after about 30/40 minutes and let dry 24 hrs between coats) and then a coat of paste wax.

DonHo

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Agreed. Watco Danish Oil is nice for cherry. If you want to stain the cherry (which I am not a fan of) Watco makes a Cherry dyed Danish Oil. I used it on a Cherry project that is in a closet and will not see UV light to darken it.

[cabinetman]

I like using tung oil on Cherry. It doesn't darken up like BLO does.
.

[drumpriest]

Seal-a-cell and arm-r-seal is my fav.

[atgcpaul]

I haven't used tung oil, but do use BLO on cherry because I do like how it darkens it.

Paul

[Knottscott]

Definitely an oil....I like tung oil.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

I agree with drumpriest on Seal-A-Cell. Seal-A-Cell imparts a very light reddish tone that very much brings out the red in Cherry. With an unfinished wood, ie no stain, etc Seal-A-Cell would work wonderfully. You would not need to follow up with Arm-R-Seal.

As far are the discussion of tung oil, Arm-R-Seal and Danish oil it is very, very hard to determine what you are acutally using. Manufacturers do not list the materials from which they made the product. Some folks call Seal-A-Cell and Arm-R-Seal tung oils. Any of the tung oil products will provide substantially more protection than BLO.

If I was wanting to add a little color then Arm-R-Seal. If I wanted to add a lot of color then Watco Cherry Danish Oil. If I wanted to add no color and depend on natural darkening due to UV exposure, then Watco Natural Danish Oil. If a lot of protection is needed and you do not want to impart color then Arm-R-Seal.

[jonmnelson]

I did a test of Watco Danish Oil on a scrap piece of cherry and really like the look. Application seems easy, too. I think I'll go with that, followed by a coat of paste wax.

Thanks for the help!

[Bruce Cohen]

Just want to add my .02¢.

I always use 320 wet/dry to apply the second and third coats of Watco. It works up a type of slurry that makes a big difference in the smoothness of the finish. Apply a generous coat, rub with 320, using a block, add more if some areas dry out, then rag it off. Let dry overnight and do it again.

I rub in Liberon Black Bison "Natural" paste wax after. really nice finish.

And you could also forgo the wax and top coat it with Arm-A-Seal. The Cherry will still darken with age and light.

Bruce