Solid Cherry Top Kitchen Table

[Dale Todd]

I am building a cherry kitchen table off the end of my island and was hoping for some advice on the most durable and beautiful finish for natural cherry. I have read some of your columns on cherry, but not specifically for a cherry table top. Thanks in advance.

[Jim Becker]

Dale, Welcome to SMC!

My general finish for cherry starts with an application of BLO (boiled linseed oil) followed a few days later with a coat of de-waxed garnet shellac to seal, add some richness and provide a barrier layer that will take pretty much any top coat you prefer. Personally, I spray water borne acrylics from Target Coatings, both their USL and the Hybrivar; the latter is a water borne formulation of alkyd varnish which lends nice color to cherry. If you're not set up to be able to spray, I'd suggest a wipe on oil-based varnish, such as Waterlox (phenolic resin based) or Pratt and Lambert #38 thinned 50/50 with mineral spirits. With wipe on varnish, you'll want to do 8-12 coats over a few days and then let it cure for a few weeks before you do any kind of polishing. There is no need to use polyurethane varnish on something like this...that's best left to floors. IMHO, of course.

[Sam Yerardi]

Jim,

Is the Hibrivar tinted?