Distressed Natural Cherry Finish

[rpike]

Okay all,

I just started a cherry bookcase for a client and they have supplied me with a picture of a cherry armoire as an idea for the finish. Does anyone have an idea for a finishing schedule? I'm an oil and shellac guy, so I haven't ventured into many other finishing materials. I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to emulate this finish. Take a look at the picture and let me know what you think. Thanks.

[AceHoleInOne]

Not claiming to be an expert here, but do have an opinion, I believe this is a finishing technique to make other woods look like old dirty cherry or simply a marketing term to the finish applied to a certain furniture line, "Distressed cherry finish." Looks like an amber/brown dye base applied and areas glazed darker to simulate age. Not sure if edges are sanded to mimic wearing of the wood, hard to tell from the picture.

Natural cherry will age on its own...so any finishing technique you use (dye and glaze) keep it a bit on the lighter side and as your cherry ages, your bookcase will go a wee darker and mellow.

Hope this helps.

-Ace-

[rmac]

I'm almost clueless on this subject, but I like to type anyway. So I'll repeat the great suggestion that some people tend to forget, and that's, "whatever you do, practice on scraps and not on your project."

-- Russ