FYI, if your finish has UV protective qualities, which many do, it
will retard the darkening some. I've never figured out the science of
the darkening process so I'm not sure if it is actually a light driven
oxidation process and if it is, I assume any film finish will retard
that too.

Lots of folks just cringe at coloring Cherry but I don't think there
is anything sacred about it. I've used very light additions of dyes to
hasten the darkening look and I've done dark glazes over the first
coat of film finish to amazing results that looked like a 100 year old
piece.

On Oct 2, 6:32 pm, "Ron" wrote:
I'm just about done cutting, planning and sanding the components for a small
cherry project.

The wood is noticibly lighter now, after sanding and planning than when I
started with the raw stock.

Will the wood continue to darken/redden if I clear coat it or should I let
it sit unfinished, in the sun,
for a while until it darkens as desired prior to finishing?

I plan on using General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil & Urethane finish.

ThankX,
Ron