Cherry Headboard (pics) finally!!

[Gene Collison]

Jerry,

Very beautiful project and end result, stunning! One question though, I have built several projects from cherry and can't seem to get that beautiful color that is coming through on my computer from your piece. I am wondering if it's the cherry I buy on the west coast or is it my finishing technique. I noticed Jason Tuinstra's last project, it had that same elusive for me and beautiful tone. What was your finishing process? Again, beautiful!!

Gene

[Jerry Olexa]

Jerry,

The problem continued to persist...So I seen the doctor again. I have to have a few growths(cyst) removed from my throat.

Donnie Thanks for update, We will be thinking of you , Pls let us know the results and you'll soon be back to creating sawdust in the shop!!

[Jerry Olexa]

Jerry,

One question though, I have built several projects from cherry and can't seem to get that beautiful color that is coming through on my computer from your piece. I am wondering if it's the cherry I buy on the west coast or is it my finishing technique. I noticed Jason Tuinstra's last project, it had that same elusive for me and beautiful tone. What was your finishing process?
Gene

Gene, my process is simple: a heavy coat of BLO, wipe off in 30 minutes and them let dry a week. (this Pops the grain ). Then I pad on several coats of garnet shellac and keep padding till i get the look I want, In this case, I did not apply another topcoat of P&L 38 varnish (for protection as wasn't needed) Jason, I think also uses BLO but sprays on a top coat of lacquer. You can also just put on lacquer alone and of course, cherry darkens by itself w age and exposure to light. Hope this helps,

[Gene Collison]

Gene, my process is simple: a heavy coat of BLO, wipe off in 30 minutes and them let dry a week. (this Pops the grain ). Then I pad on several coats of garnet shellac and keep padding till i get the look I want, In this case, I did not apply another topcoat of P&L 38 varnish (for protection as wasn't needed) Jason, I think also uses BLO but sprays on a top coat of lacquer. You can also just put on lacquer alone and of course, cherry darkens by itself w age and exposure to light. Hope this helps,

Jerry, it helps a lot, I will try it on my next cherry project. Thanks....

Gene

[Sean Hughes]

Looks awesome!!!! I hope to be working on projects like that in the future.

[Bill Arnold]

Jerry,

Great work! I enjoy working with cherry more than any other wood, I think. You finish looks fantastic and will get better with age, of course.

A question about your use of BLO. You said you wipe on BLO only, then wipe it off and let the item sit a week. On some pieces I'm starting to finish, I'm using a 2/2/1 mix of BLO/Naphtha/Polyurethane. Is there a reason you don't thin the BLO for wiping?

Keep up the great work!

[Jerry Olexa]

[QUOTE=Bill Arnold]
A question about your use of BLO. You said you wipe on BLO only, then wipe it off and let the item sit a week. On some pieces I'm starting to finish, I'm using a 2/2/1 mix of BLO/Naphtha/Polyurethane. Is there a reason you don't thin the BLO for wiping?

Bill,I know quite a few WW'ers do a mixture/home brew as you say and are v happy with the results. It's also more a one application (several coats?) process and dries quicker. I like the look I get w straight BLO even with the long drying time and love to work the shellac separately. Just a personal preference ...

[Bill Arnold]

Just a personal preference ...

That's what's so great about what we do! Each of us can use different processes to achieve essentially the same end result. I continue to experiment with slight variations on a theme each time I finish an item. Impatience spurs me to try things that will speed up the finish process. Although there are times I wish I could just build something and hand it to someone else to apply finish, I'm making myself learn more about finishing and, in the process, achieving better results.

Regards,

[Jerry Olexa]

Bill ,Agree w your thought 100%. Also Japan Drier (a small Amt) speeds up the drying of BLO. BLO on its own is very slow....