"Cherry" finish

[Greg Heppeard]

Ok guys, what's the best way to get hard maple to look like fresh cut cherry? I have a customer that wants that color but doesn't want it to darken over time. I tend to like General Finish products the best, so if possible.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

You might try Garnet Shelac on a test piece.

Bruce

[Jim Becker]

Water soluable dye followed by de-waxed garnet shellac and your topcoat of choice. Works great on poplar, too...I've done it a lot. Work out the regimen on scrap of the same cherry until you get the effect you want. You MUST do all the steps on your tests as your clear coating will also affect color. Keep records...

[Steve Schoene]

If available, you might look at red birch as a cherry substitute. I used it in my kitchen, and while the figure is a bit different the color is almost exactly the same as fresh cherry but no stain was needed. (I used some oiled cherry as a island top--it started out a close match, and now, as expected, offers a nice contrast.)

[Greg Heppeard]

Thanks guys. I guess I got my work cut out for me on this one...already got the maple so different wood choice is out.