What Finish is best for a Cherry Bathroom Vanities

[Bill Trouard]

Due to the amount of moisture from the shower, I though I should ask some of the experts here.

I have used these finishes in the past with good results, I just have not finished anything that would have to deal with the amount of moisture in a bathroom.

• General Finishes Arm-R-Seal w/ Seal-A-Cell Clear
• General Finishes Enduro-Var Water-Based Urethane

Also this I have the color my wife wants (Bulls Eye Cabernet) in a oil stain and a water based dye (GF Empire Red/Merlot mix) I think I would prefer the oil based stain though.

The oil is an exact match to our bedroom furniture, the water based dye is a close match. worried about blotch control though I have used General Finishes Pre-Stain Wood Conditioner with some success.

[Jerry Thompson]

I have used Charles Neil's product to control blotching. It works great. I used to use hide glue sizing with great success also.

[Scott Holmes]

I would not use either of the top coats you mentioned; top notch varnish will outperform either. Waterlox Original would be an excellent choice. Biggest drawback is that it is very slow drying.

As for your color choices; that's up to you... personally I don't "color" cherry. It one of the most beautiful and fastest darkening woods in the world. I know of no other wood that add patina faster nor more beautifully than American Black Cherry. Stains and dyes only hide it beauty.

[Bill Trouard]

I would not use either of the top coats you mentioned; top notch varnish will outperform either. Waterlox Original would be an excellent choice. Biggest drawback is that it is very slow drying.

As for your color choices; that's up to you... personally I don't "color" cherry. It one of the most beautiful and fastest darkening woods in the world. I know of no other wood that add patina faster nor more beautifully than American Black Cherry. Stains and dyes only hide it beauty.

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Slow drying would be an issue. As for the color, my wife wants a match to the bedroom set. This cat bed I made is the desired finish. I'm not fond of staining it either, but I do not want to go against my better half's choice.

When you say long dry time, is that before re-coats or tack free time. I do not have a dedicated finish area. I do have a Powermatic PM1200 air filtration unit.
Is this a wipe on or can I spray it?

I'm willing to try it. If I recall arm-r-seal is very slow to dry also

Are you referring to

Waterlox orginal satin finish, Waterlox orginal Sealer and Finish or both. I have never used this product, can you explain a bit more in depth?

[David Hawxhurst]

waterlox can be sprayed, but most people choose to wipe or brush it on. you can apply two to three wiping coats a day with a 24hr cure period. it takes approx. 30 days or so for waterlox to fully cure. i like the original sealer/finish. on the waterlox site they have a good pdf on how to apply the product.

[Bill Trouard]

Thanks for the input. I ordered both. guess I'll be setting up a pvc pipe and plastic sheeting booth.