Cherry finishes

[JQuigley]

Hello,

A buddy of mine is in the process of getting me some Pennsylvania Cherry that I intend to make a long rifle and probably a pistol from and I’m just wondering what everyone’s favorite finishes on cherry are. I haven’t used any before and I don’t have any now to test what I have on hand but I’d love to see and hear what others are using and any advice or suggestions. Was thinking Aqua Fortis because I have it on hand but I’m not sure what it’ll look like. I’ve also heard about using lye or oven cleaner? The more pictures the better. I’m leaning towards a Rupp or Lancaster style if you’re curious. Thanks!

 

[stubshaft]

Aqua Fortis will turn cherry black! You can use aniline dyes and or a lye wash. I use Homer Danglers reddish brown dye myself. It gives a dark reddish brown that looks like aged cherry,

 

[JQuigley]

Aqua Fortis will turn cherry black! You can use aniline dyes and or a lye wash. I use Homer Danglers reddish brown dye myself. It gives a dark reddish brown that looks like aged cherry,

I was worried about it doing that thank you for the confirmation

 

[hawkenhunter50]

Following....

 

[William O.]

I used Minwax red mahogany. Two coats, let dry in between, buffed with a fine grit sandpaper then Truoil on top.

 

[William O.]

I used Minwax, red mahogany. Two coats, let dry in between, buffed with a fine grit sandpaper then Truoil on top.
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[William O.]

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[William O.]

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[William O.]

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[JQuigley]

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Got some beautiful figure on that stock! And a lefty too? Thanks for sharing!

 

[RobertE]

William, that’s a beautiful color you got on that cherry.
What brand stain did you use?

 

[William O.]

William, that’s a beautiful color you got on that cherry.
What brand stain did you use?

Hard to believe but it's Minwax Red Mahogany. Then two coats of TruOil. I was all ready to use lye but a friend gave me the Minwax stain and after I tried it on a scrap piece I decided to do the entire stock with it.
The other thing I'd like to mention is that sunlight will darken and deepen the red tones of cherry. I left the stock in the direct sunlight for a full day after applying the first coat of stain. It did seem to make a difference.

 

[2 shots]

I used a stain, dark cherry. Two coats, let dry in between, buffed with a fine grit sandpaper then Truoil on top.
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?? above you mention minwax red mahogany. in this post you say dark cherry . which one is it?? very nice by the way.

 

[William O.]

?? above you mention minwax red mahogany. in this post you say dark cherry . which one is it?? very nice by the way.

I had to dig into my garage file to see for sure what I'd used. My memory ain't what it used to be.

 

[William O.]

Got some beautiful figure on that stock! And a lefty too? Thanks for sharing!

I ordered it to be left handed, cherry stock with a 15 inch lop from the builder. Just chance that he found a cherry blank with nice figure. I did get it in the white so I could finish it myself. The barrel is 20 gauge with (I think) L&R lock.

 

[2 shots]

thank you. so it was dark cherry? i hear you on the memory thing