Feel free to leave a comment in the bottom. See, the UV rays are what primarily give cherry its deep color; UV and oxidation really. This cherry sample is freshly planed and sanded with a clear lacquer finish on it. BUT (a big but), the contrast between the lighter and darker areas will diminish with age and the same properties that cause the directional dark spots are the same properties that give the wood its’ beautiful shimmer and depth in the first place. You may pick four colors at checkout and we will send you actual wood … What a difference right?! I enjoy the results I get when using coloring techniques that accentuate the woods’ natural properties without drastically altering it’s personality. After that, the effect slows down and seems to peak in 3-4 weeks. However, it’s important to distinguish between blotching and the natural properties of the wood. These swatches should be used as a guideline only. As the wood ages, it darkens and takes on warm orange-reddish brown tones with rich amber undertones. Because what everyone wants from cherry is that dark rich color. I’ve used this method a number of times and found that the sun will darken the wood a fair amount in about a week (like this sample). So, what do you do then if you want that deep rich color cherry is known for? The second picture is the deep, dark color that cherry wood is famous for and so sought after. For many however, finishing cherry is a tricky wicket. Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links meaning, I may get a small commission if you purchase anything from these links. To give the aging process (darkening the wood’s natural color) a head start, you can expose the wood to sunlight. Stain it! Kind of like "don't fruit the beer", "don't stain the cherry wood"...just don't do it. Try to avoid stacking it so that some sections are exposed and some aren’t, otherwise you’ll end up with wood that is much darker where the light hit it. The random dark areas you see are natural features of cherry and they change from dark to light depending the angle you view the wood. But, like I mentioned, don't fruit the beer; don’t stain the cherry. The main problem with finishing cherry wood is that it has a tendency to blotch with any kind of stain or tinted oil. Hello! The second sample is cherry’s version of curly figure – it’s highly prized with a price tag to match. Welcome to my blog. Once the raw wood is exposed, it begins to change color right away and the prominent pink hues are short lived. I highly advise them against this and typically do not do it and just ask clients to have, you guessed it, patience. If you like working with wood, you will develop your own preferences for the types of finishes you like (if you haven’t already). I set it by a window for a week where it received exposure to the sunlight all day long. This “blotching” is rare and beautiful! So, you don't have a lot of patience huh? There’s no question these multi-step finishes change the character of the wood dramatically, but the paying customer has every right to get the look they want…. When a transparent coating is applied to wood, it flows over and between the fibers on the surface and gives it a wet look. For me, this is just too messy and complicated. Of course they’re all correct – the finish they prefer is the best one for them – though it’s not necessarily the best one for you or me. When cherry is first milled, it has a lighter, creamy color. For the purist, staining cherry is a big “no-no” (understatement!) Sapwood and heartwood. ZAR 116 1 qt. And, most often, they ask me if I can stain it to quicken the darkening process. It is the color that most of my clients, that want to use cherry wood, desire as well. Why? Minwax 61490444 PolyShades - Stain & Polyurethane in 1 Step, quart, Natural Cherry, Gloss Cherry Wood Interior Stain (2-Pack) Model# 209073 $ 25 83 /package $ 25 83 /package Out of stock online. As the cherry ages and gets darker, the spots are less obvious, and add to the woods’ character and charm. Both of these samples were finished with lacquer alone. Kind of like "don't fruit the beer", "don't stain the cherry wood"...just don't do it. The main problem with finishing cherry wood is that it has a tendency to blotch with any kind of stain or tinted oil. The second sample is cherry’s version of curly figure – it’s highly prized with a price tag to match. and I can respect that point of view completely. Thank you! On a number of occasions I’ve seen plywood or hardwood planks that have dark bands along one side or end from being stored improperly – usually the top sheet was off center. In the opening paragraph I pointed out that cherry has a “…look of depth that comes from the intense hues of reflected light that originates from deep within.” This optical effect is affectionately called “shimmer,” “directionality,” or “chatoyance.”. Due to the custom nature of our furniture and variations in raw wood … When you view cherry from different angles, the wood fibers reflect the light brightly creating a shimmering effect that is striking. As a bonus, it smells great too! Blotchy Cherry Finish. So, after heeding our GnR friends advice, what does the table look like now? If you plan to dye or stain cherry you will want to follow the protocols to avoid the problem.