How to Finish Cherry Wood
It's important to know what type of wood you're working with when it comes to finishing it. Some woods have very open grains, making them easy to finish and protect, while others will resist any liquids. Cherry wood is prone to blotchiness when being stained or finished, and while finishing can extend the life of your wood for years, application of finish can also mar the appearance if conducted incorrectly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tack cloth or damp rag
- Lint free cloth
- Sandpaper
- Stain
- White cloths or rags
- Polyurethane wood finish
- Paint thinner
- Stirring stick or mixer
Instructions
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Wipe down the wood with a tack cloth or damp rag to remove surface dirt and dust. If you use a damp rag, dry the surface with a lint-free cloth to remove excess moisture.
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Lightly sand the wood surface with 80 grit sandpaper. Wipe with a cloth to remove dust (remember to dry if you use), and repeat sanding with 120 grit and 220 grit sandpaper, wiping away dust between each sanding. This sanding will help to open the grain of the wood, making it more accepting of stain and finish.
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Spread stain (liquid or gel form) onto the surface with a clean, white cloth. Cover an area, let the stain sit for 15 to 20 seconds while it soaks into the wood, and then wipe the area with a clean cloth to remove excess stain. Do not allow the stain to dry on the surface without wiping off the excess or you will have an uneven coat.
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Cover the entire cherry surface with stain and allow the stain to dry for at least 12 hours, unless otherwise instructed by your staining product.
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Mix equal parts polyurethane wood finish and paint thinner to create a thin solution for the beginning layers of finish. Apply this sealer to the cherry in the same way you applied the stain, wiping away the excess finish to ensure a smooth coat.
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Apply a second coat of half-strength finish after the first has dried for eight hours. Allow the second coat to dry for 12 hours before continuing.
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Lightly sand the wood using 320 grit sandpaper to open the grain again for the final finishing product. Wipe the entire surface with a tack cloth or damp rag to remove sanding dust, and be sure to dry the surface if you use water on your rag.
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Apply a coat of undiluted polyurethane wood finish using the same procedure as the stain and diluted finish. Allow the first coat to dry overnight, sand with 320 grit sandpaper and apply a second coat. Repeat the drying and sanding before the third coat. After three coats the surface should appear shiny; if not, apply a fourth coat or touchups as necessary. Allow the final coat to dry overnight before allowing anyone to touch or use the wood.
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Tips & Warnings
Find finishing materials at hardware and home improvement stores.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
