OK - I've completed an express build - which is awesome by the way - but now I'm working on the head cabinet and need to figure out the best finish to bring out the red finish of the cherry wood.
Do I want to stain it? Does anyone know what Ken used?
Thanks,
Andy
Express Head cabinet finish
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CapnCrunch
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- Location: Seattle
Re: Express Head cabinet finish
All of the real TW cabs that I've seen pictures of appear to be finished natural. In other words, no stain, just natural or clear finish. I don't know what they were finished with, but I would probably use either Lacquer or Polyurethane. If you play in bars, or just like a frosty beverage while you play, then shellac probably is not for you. It won't stand up to alcohol spills.
American Cherry will darken to a nice deep red color with a little time and light exposure. One thing to remember is that if you have sapwood in your board, it will not darken. It will end up sticking out like a sore pale thumb (that is the biggest reason people stain cherry, i.e. to hide the sap wood). My personal preference is to spray lacquer. My house stinks of it right now! A couple cans of Deft spray lacquer will easily give you 5 or 6 coats on a head, and it's easy to apply, and easy to repair if damaged. The same cannot be said of Poly.
American Cherry will darken to a nice deep red color with a little time and light exposure. One thing to remember is that if you have sapwood in your board, it will not darken. It will end up sticking out like a sore pale thumb (that is the biggest reason people stain cherry, i.e. to hide the sap wood). My personal preference is to spray lacquer. My house stinks of it right now! A couple cans of Deft spray lacquer will easily give you 5 or 6 coats on a head, and it's easy to apply, and easy to repair if damaged. The same cannot be said of Poly.