I have cabinets, a post office desk, and a dining room table with 15+ years
on them. The darkening is obvious, esp on the cabinets where the outside is
darker than the inside. Polyurethane will not prevent darkening (thank
goodness) but it will slow it down considerably. It may take 5 years to
darken to what would occur in a year unfinished.

I think cherry has to be the finest cabinetmaking wood I have had the chance
to use.

Matthew

wrote in message
oups.com...
I made some nightstands out of solid cherry and cherry plywood and
finished them only with oil-based polyurethane. Will the cherry still
darken under the polyurethane? I've seen a few responses to this
question in searches, but many of those responding were speculating.
Does anyone have any personal experience with cherry pieces finished
just with oil-based poly (no other oil first) and how they darkened.
Thanks.

Charles