I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel and SWMBO decided that it
would be nice for the walls of the tub deck (whirlpool tub) to be done
in raised panels. We want to try to match it to the existing natural
cherry cabinets. I didn't build the cabinets, but they essentially
look like they have a coat of varnich, polyurethane, or lacquer
(meaning they are really natural cherry and not stained). I have a
nice stash of rough cut cherry that is a perfect match until,
obviously, I start to machine it.

My question, is there any good method to helping this cherry catch up
to the existing cabinets?

I've just started doing some testing and only applied some wipe on
poly to my first test piece. Its closer but still not there. Does
anyone know if a certain poly or varnish my tint it a little more?

I also thought about leaving some test pieces out in the sun, which I
could do for a few weeks, but I don't have months to play with.

Has anyone been stuck in a similar spot?

Thanks,

WoodChuck

On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:36:13 -0700, Woodchuck34 wrote:

My question, is there any good method to helping this cherry catch up
to the existing cabinets?

Lay it out in the sun. Alternate sides frequently so it doesn't warp.
Check the results frequently as it may only take a few hours. Of course,
that depends on how dark the existing stuff has gotten. Good luck.

On Apr 17, 11:44*am, Larry Blanchard wrote:
On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:36:13 -0700, Woodchuck34 wrote:
My question, is there any good method to helping this cherry catch up
to the existing cabinets?

Lay it out in the sun. *Alternate sides frequently so it doesn't warp.
Check the results frequently as it may only take a few hours. *Of course,
that depends on how dark the existing stuff has gotten. *Good luck.

Thanks for the tip Larry. I already have a test piece in the sun.
I'll keep checking.

Chuck

[..snip...]


I've just started doing some testing and only applied some wipe on
poly to my first test piece. Its closer but still not there. Does
anyone know if a certain poly or varnish my tint it a little more?

[...snip...]

It's very hard to know what tint you need from this distance. "Real"
cherry, like any wood, will vary quite a bit.

On the other hand you can tint your finish, for example you can use
something like these:
http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/i...OD&ProdID=1205

Another poster lately mentioned using a dilute mixture of Lye to "age"
Cherry. I think it really darkens it quick. I haven't tried that yet
but will soon.

1. I would not suggest tinting anything. If you do tint it now to
match, it won't match later.
2. Yes, the sun will darken it in a matter of hours depending on
lattitude and time of year, ie intensity.
3. The darkening process is most dramatic in the first few months of
exposure on interior applications. Then the darkeing is continuous but
slow over time.

If your currently installed items only have a year or so head start, I
would just use the identical finishing technique and wait it. They
will match up in no time. You could also do some "lay it in the sun
treatment but I think to get a perfect match it would be better if the
finish was on first.

Also try testing a piece with poly just sitting in the bathroom next
to the cabs and see how it looks in a week. If you have decent natural
light in that room, you will be amazed how fast they match up.

On Apr 17, 5:36*am, Woodchuck34 wrote:
I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel and SWMBO decided that it
would be nice for the walls of the tub deck (whirlpool tub) to be done
in raised panels. *We want to try to match it to the existing natural
cherry cabinets. *I didn't build the cabinets, but they essentially
look like they have a coat of varnich, polyurethane, or lacquer
(meaning they are really natural cherry and not stained). *I have a
nice stash of rough cut cherry that is a perfect match until,
obviously, I start to machine it.

My question, is there any good method to helping this cherry catch up
to the existing cabinets?

I've just started doing some testing and only applied some wipe on
poly to my first test piece. *Its closer but still not there. *Does
anyone know if a certain poly or varnish my tint it a little more?

I also thought about leaving some test pieces out in the sun, which I
could do for a few weeks, but I don't have months to play with.

Has anyone been stuck in a similar spot?

Thanks,

WoodChuck