KingwoodFan1989
Member
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 284
Loc: Tracy, CA
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I'm about to do my second attempt at my table top (without sanding through the veneer this time  ) and the table base has darkened somewhat. I kind of like it, but is there a way to get fresh cherry to darken quickly after surfacing?
I've read a bit about it, and sunlight is said to help. However, if I let it sit outside, won't it warp? Yes, I could let it sit and then face joint and face plane it to flatten it again, but that would take away the slight patina.
Also, if I used a very light stain on the fresh cherry to get it to match, would the cherry darken differently than that which isn't stained?
It's gonna have shellac as a topcoat, but isn't the wood going to darken anyway?
Any good ways to darken fresh cherry and have it age to the same color as some slightly older cherry?
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Near future projects:
-2 Nightstands (Oak with figured walnut drawer fronts)
-Curly Maple display case
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LENPAM
Infill Magnet
Registered: 04/03/05
Posts: 9743
Loc: PORT CLINTON,OHIO
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Set it in the sunlight and it will darken,other then that you'll need to stain it or use some other artificial means,Len
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INFILL MAGNET
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Bøb
Member
Registered: 10/13/06
Posts: 1296
Loc: S.E. Tennessee
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A very weak solution of Lye + Water will accelerate the natural darkening/coloring process, without the fear of blotching. No stain ... nothing artificial ... just speeding up what will happen over time.
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Now let us retract the foreskin of misconception and apply the wire brush of enlightenment.
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KingwoodFan1989
Member
Registered: 08/24/08
Posts: 284
Loc: Tracy, CA
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Bob, could you tell me more about Lye? Also, just so I can test it, if I put it on will the cherry show up fresh again if I plane it just in case I don't like it?
Do they sell lye at home centers or some other stores? And what is the process and other such things like the mix ratio with water, application tools, wiping away the excess etc?
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Near future projects:
-2 Nightstands (Oak with figured walnut drawer fronts)
-Curly Maple display case
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Steve N
Member
Registered: 09/28/07
Posts: 8871
Loc: CinDay
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Please allow me to Google that for you
It`s a subject almost everyone brings up at some time, about Cherry. Like a lot of things woodworking, lots of ways to skin that cat, all have advocates.
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Worst thing they can do is cook ya and eat ya 
GW
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bigfrank
Member
Registered: 02/19/07
Posts: 2815
Loc: Linn county, Iowa
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Pretty difficult.
As was said just letting it sit in the sun is best.
We've tried a weak stain to accelerate it to match an existing piece, not very satisfactory, it looked too dark after a while.
Frank.
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Humanbackhoe
Neoanderthal
Registered: 04/06/07
Posts: 3662
Loc: Savage, Md.
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I wouldn't do anything to the cherry. The natural darkening starts immediately and will change quite a bit in two weeks. Certainly, I wouldn't set wood in direct sunlight, as, ambient sunlight will change the wood anyway, especially a table top, without risk of warp.
Be patient 
Andrew
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"That's like getting a running start and diving headfirst into the vortex."
Steve Freidman 4/21/2013
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JGrout
member
Registered: 08/04/02
Posts: 23281
Loc: Axial CO
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bigfrank said:
Pretty difficult.
As was said just letting it sit in the sun is best.
We've tried a weak stain to accelerate it to match an existing piece, not very satisfactory, it looked too dark after a while.
Frank.
yep same experience. tends to go greyish so when you think you have it about right it was too much.
time does the best job. all else takes diligence and luck.
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MsNomer
Wood Recycler
Registered: 05/20/05
Posts: 9179
Loc: NorthCentral OK
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You won't notice the difference nearly as much as you think you would as you wait. The base will be in shadow anyway. The woods won't be side-by-side for comparison as you can put them now.
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Carolyn
"It's good to know, but it's better to understand." Auze Jackson
www.carriesmission.com
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Richard D.
Off his rocker
Registered: 01/28/07
Posts: 6289
Loc: Los Angeles
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Let it darken naturally. As you've mentioned and we have seen examples on WN, setting it in the sun can cause warps, cracks and weakened joinery. The projects I have built from Cherry look better now than when I built them. A brighter room will speed the process.
It is nice to realize that every few years I appreciate a piece more and more. Instant gratification will wear off.
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RD
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