I’m planning a project in cherry, and would like to “tone down” the reddish tint of the cherry, leaning more toward the brownish side when I finish it. I’d like to use water based dyes, as recently I’ve been reading that is a better method than oil stains. I’ve never used dyes before, only pre-mixed oil stains, so with the array of colors available, what color or colors should I use to acomplish this? Would I use an yellow to tone down the red, or should I use something like a walnut, to just obliterate the red, or maybe even a real weak green (green + red = brown) and sneak up on it with multiple applications? I don’t want to spend a small fortune on a lot of dyes that I’ll probably never use. I just want suggestions on a good place to start.
Thanks,
GT
Replies
Take a piece of your cherry, sand or plane it to reveal a fresh surface, and set it out in the sun for a few days. Bring it back indoors if it starts raining or snowing. ;-)
That may be all you need to modify the color from pinkish to brownish.
-Steve
Staining cherry is a sin, somewhat similar to mixing a single malt scotch with ginger ale. The natural color change of cherry gives rise to a richness that is hard to duplicate with dye and stain, and occurs quickly enough that it is practical to wait for it.
If you don't like the natural colors of cherry use a different wood--alder, or maple, or even poplar and dye them to the color you want.
"...somewhat similar to mixing a single malt scotch with ginger ale."
Stop that--you're making me ill....
-Steve
Remind me to not let you near my Glen Morangie with that ginger ale.........
Jeff
I'm partial to Glenfiddich. And, yes the only way I drink it is neat.
Laphroaig for me.
-Steve
Tastes like paint-thinner, but it puts hair on your chest! // Phil D
Steve
I am a fond collector of single malt scotches. At present count, I have 19 different bottles. My only problem is that I sometimes consume the final glass from a bottle, leaving me a collection of empty bottles. I always have Glenfiddich and Glenlivet around, as my father loves both. He was a JB drinker (I shudder in disgust at the mere thought!!), and I'd like to think that I showed him a few finer flavors over the years. I bought him a bottle of Clan Macallan(sp?) 25 year old for his 65th birthday. We both enjoyed that one. My absolute favorite, though, is 18 yo Glen Morangie. I save that for the special occasions.
Jeff
Amen Brother!!!!!!!!!!! Amen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Well, I have to say, I agree about letting cherry age naturally, BUT if you do see the need to add color dye is the way to go. It has no suspended pigments like an oil stain that can produce a "muddy" color. If you're trying to achieve the simulation of age on the cherry, an amber tone will help or use a dilluted brown. Check out FWW # 191. The Finish Line is all about adding age to new cherry using dye. I just bet this is what you're after.
Another approach that I use is to seal the piece with a couple washcoats of dewaxed shellac. I then mix mineral spirits, Japan dryer, and artist oil colors (I use Windsor Newton) and wipe this on like a glaze. The mineral spirits and Japan dryer allow it to dry in hours instead of days. I usually apply two or three application sometimes layering the colors and I seal each layer with shellac. It give me more control than dye because if the color isn't right, I simply wipe it off before it dries. Just a little insight to another method. Be sure to post photos of the project!!
Adam
GT,
It is not a sin to stain cherry if that is what you like.
Seal the wood with a 1 or 2 pound cut of dewaxed garnet shellac. scuff sand with 320. apply Bartley's penn cherry gel stain (or maybe try their walnut gel stain) then wipe off the excess. then apply another coat of garnet shellac. scuff sand again, then apply an oil varnish. that will give you a nice red to brown color. first try on a cut off to see which (the cherry or walnut gel stain) gives you the color you want.
Good luck,
Scott
Cherry changes - significantly, depending on the Cherry itself - with time and exposure. That "nasty" pink wood may turn to chocolate all on its own.
Last Winter, I built a hall table from a batch of Cherry harvested in Massachusetts. It's a variety of Cherry that's notoriously "pink". One year later, the table is a rich nutty brown (think Newcastle Brown Ale). The curly figure is crystal clear, the result of NOT using dyes or stains. I can expect that it will only get better with age.
Do yourself a favor: Take two samples of raw Cherry - the stock you're using, planed to a fresh surface. Do not sand them! Coat one with Boiled Linseed Oil and place it face up near a sunny southern exposure. Place the second sample in a drawer, out of the light. Check back in a week. Two weeks. Compare the samples. You'll be amazed.
Staining Cherry may not be a sin, but it is a shame...
Gtieszen: I recently had an experience that may be useful here. A client asked me to make some repairs to a store=bought bed that had a factory finish: cherry wood, stained to look like mahogany. Sounds like what you are after.
After some testing, here's what worked: I applied a light sealer coat of BullsEye Seal-Coat (de-waxed and thinned shellac, from Zinsser). Then I put some Dark Mahogany oil-based stain (I had some from Old Masters on hand) on a rag and just wiped on a minimal amount, wiping off any stain that had not been absorbed by the wood, not enough to build up and streak. After that dried, I finished with amber shellac (also Zinsser). The match was perfect, and the color was even.
It was an easy solution, and I'm not a guy who stains anything if I can help it. Practice with the wash coat, if that is new for you, to be sure you don't over-do it. Good luck.
Bob K
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