Replies

1. 
   billy5151 | Jan 20, 2009 12:57am | #1

   First of  let me say ......that I know nothing .....for sure anyway. But I have done a wax finish and then applied a poly as a top coat and then a wax finish. I didn't notice any problems. These are a few pic of a walnut bench and a pine top I'm working on using this application. Other than that I'm a Carpenter trying to get in out of the weather and more time in the shop. Bill D. QWC

   
1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 06:32am | #5

   Thanks for your input, Bill.  Nice bench!

2. 
   Gretchen | Jan 20, 2009 01:02am | #2

   You've done it, but why use the oil. Put a nice finish coat on and let the cherry age.

   I grew up in a home with cherry paneling--it was a gorgeous gorgeous color all by itself.

   Gretchen

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/19/2009 5:02 pm ET by Gretchen

1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 06:39am | #6

   Hi Gretchen,

   What do you mean by, "I've done it"?  Here's my process: The wash coat is 50/50 Denatured Alcohol and wax-free shellac, applied to the raw wood, sealing the more pourous blotch-prone areas, allowing the oil to penetrate more evenly and leaving only the real beauty of the figure, grain and color to come through.  It's working wonderfully.  I have no intention of doing anything further to change the nature of the wood, simply looking to provide additional protection from damage.

   Thank you for your input!

   Cindy

    

    

1. 
   Gretchen | Jan 20, 2009 03:48pm | #9

   Then I suggest non-poly varnish for continuing to get a more "in the wood" finish.Gretchen

3. 
   Samson | Jan 20, 2009 01:02am | #3

   oil based poly over oil based Danish should be fine.  ;-)

   water based poly, not so much.

   and if ever in doubt, a coat of dewaxed shellac in between is the answer as the shellac goes over anything and anything goes over it.

1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 06:40am | #7

   Thank you, Samson!

4. 
   brad805 | Jan 20, 2009 01:16am | #4

   Only disadvantage is the poly will make the trim look a bit more plastic, but it will improve the durability.  I dont partricularily care for the look of poly, but it has it places.

   Brad

1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 06:40am | #8

   My thoughts, as well.  Perhaps it is best to leave well enough alone...

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 21, 2009 12:25pm | #17

   Only disadvantage is the poly will make the trim look a bit more plastic,..?

   I use a wipe on Poly sometimes. Water or oil depending on what I have at hand. Works for me but I usually apply just a thin coating. Works great. I will say I never use a gloss Poly so maybe a different subject.

5. 
   MikeHennessy | Jan 20, 2009 04:34pm | #10

   I do this all the time with wipe-on poly. I also do it with garnet shellac. (I like the look of the shellac better. YMMV.) Works just fine if you are sure that the oil is fully dried first. I like to wait a minimum of 2 days -- longer when the shop is cold like it is now.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

6. 
   dkellernc | Jan 20, 2009 06:10pm | #11

   I'm going to suggest that you avoid the polyurethane.  Use shellac instead.  Because this a bedroom and not a table top, it won't receive all that much wear, and polyurethane's a pain to repair if it is damaged.  Shellac's easy.

1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 06:35pm | #12

   Hey, thanks very much.  I appreciate your input and advice!

   Cindy

7. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 06:50pm | #13

   Thank you all for your insight and advice.  I believe we all have the same basic beliefs, that cherry will be best if left to it's own aging process and a varnish or shellac top coat would be the best solution.

   This was my first posting to FWW and I will most certainly be back to query in the future. 

   Her are some pictures of the windows.  The header casings are next.

   Happy Saw-Dust!

   Cindy

   
1. 
   dkellernc | Jan 20, 2009 07:42pm | #14

   Cindy - Now that I see what you've got, I'd also recommend against varnish (I was thinking from your original post that we were talking bedroom furniture).  The reason is that both polyurethane and varnish dry slowly, and because the wood is installed, it's not possible to take it to a dust-free area to let the finish cure.  Shellac or spray laquer will dry almost instantly (at least if the laquer is nitrocellulose), so no dust issues.  Shellac will be safer from the standpoint of the evaporated fumes (ethanol).

   If you want a "satin" look from shellac, you can get 3 or 4 coats on, then rub it down with synthetic steel wool - I'd use the gray, "ultrafine" version, usually available at your local woodworking store or paint store.  You can also add silica as a flatting agent, but I don't recommend this.  Too much and it muddies the look of the grain.

1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 20, 2009 08:37pm | #15

   Excellent!  Thanks again...

   BTW, those pictures are terrible!!!  They don't do justice.

1. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Jan 21, 2009 05:27am | #16

   Another advantage of shellac is that it goes with almost anything.

   Regards,

   Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

   Edited 1/20/2009 9:28 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Jan 21, 2009 03:37pm | #18

   Just a follow-up. Here's some cherry/walnut trim finished with clear Watco and topped with garnet shellac. I think the oil adds a lot of warmth and depth to the finish.

   View Image

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 21, 2009 05:32pm | #19

   Mike,

   The picture(s) didn't come through and I would love to see what your trim turned out like.  This was my first stab at using rough cherry and I was uncertain exactly how it was going to look.  I did a lot of research on finishing and spent hours and lots of $$ at the lumberyard.  I used the "natural" Watco.  Which, when applied over the wash-coat, really brought out the irridescence and depth of the wood.  It's so beautiful!

   So please, try to send your photo(s) again.  I will try to get better pictures taken and sent by the weekend.

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Jan 21, 2009 05:41pm | #20

   "The picture(s) didn't come through"

   DOH! That's what I get for trying to take a shortcut. I pasted the pic from an old Breaktime thread and it looked OK on my screen, but apparently got lost in the translation.

   Trying again:

   View Image

   BTW, I didn't use a wash coat. Just oil on the raw wood, and 3 coats of garnett.

   Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA

   
1. 
   cbraunheim | Jan 21, 2009 05:49pm | #21

   Stunning!  Beautiful!  Congrats, Mike.  Thanks for replying so quickly...