I have a cherry stocked rifle I have been leaving in a south facing window. I wanted the wood darker and it has been getting darker. I am wondering if, and for how long, that process would continue after I take it out of the sun.
Sun Bathing Cherry
- Thread starter SOLANCO
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Finished or in the raw?
It would take forever to get pictures but I have an almost 40 year history with wood from the same tree. This is black cherry, mind, not fruitwood.
Made a stock out of it circa 1983, three coats of brushed on BC True-oil, not much sun, has darkened maybe a shade in 40 years.
Made a stock out of it in 2003, finished it with BC Tru-Oil, lots of hand-rubbed coats. No sunning or anything else, sanded and put on the finish. It still looks like it did the day I finished it.
Made a stock out of it about five years ago, sunned it for a few days, hand rubbed BLO, now maybe half a shade darker than it was when I finished it.
Multiple scraps and pieces in the shed showing 40 year old sawcut surfaces., no direct light on it for any length of time, but it's all very dark on the surface if you wipe off the dust.
Got some scraps in the driveway, been soaking blistering sun for over a month, very dark reddish brown. Log scraps in the shade same time also darkened, but not nearly as much.
FWIW.
Made a stock out of it circa 1983, three coats of brushed on BC True-oil, not much sun, has darkened maybe a shade in 40 years.
Made a stock out of it in 2003, finished it with BC Tru-Oil, lots of hand-rubbed coats. No sunning or anything else, sanded and put on the finish. It still looks like it did the day I finished it.
Made a stock out of it about five years ago, sunned it for a few days, hand rubbed BLO, now maybe half a shade darker than it was when I finished it.
Multiple scraps and pieces in the shed showing 40 year old sawcut surfaces., no direct light on it for any length of time, but it's all very dark on the surface if you wipe off the dust.
Got some scraps in the driveway, been soaking blistering sun for over a month, very dark reddish brown. Log scraps in the shade same time also darkened, but not nearly as much.
FWIW.
Tung oiled finish. It is getting darker.
Think I am about ready to get it out of that window and let it sit a month. See how she looks.
Think I am about ready to get it out of that window and let it sit a month. See how she looks.
If your window glass is "Low Emission", I bet it has been blocking a lot of the darkening effect of sunlight.
I have a Kibler Woodsrunner in cherry. I finished it with Tried & True Oil no stain. I have let it set in full sunlight outside for 50 or 60 hours, had it to the range a number of times. It has darkened a shade (compared with the wood inside the patchbox and is gaining a bit of a red tint. I don't think it gets any darker in the closet.
As finished in early May this year.
August
As finished in early May this year.
August
Last edited:
Brokennock
Cannon
Still loving the black finish. Shee's a beaute.
PHolder
32 Cal
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The next cherry stocked gun I build I'm going to whisker it good, put it together and go shooting. I'm planning on waiting at least a month before applying finish and will put it in the sun whenever weather permits. Cherry will darken much quicker without finish. It seems to oxidize with contact with the air as much as being a photosensitive wood. I've got some cherry that was put up in the rafters of my buddies old barn. It never was in the sun and looks like dark rosewood. I thought it was walnut till I cut into it. The color goes deep in those boards also.
kansas_volunteer
45 Cal.
Osage Orange is photosensitive, too. I have a couple of Osage bow staves that were only out in sunlight when I split the log. That was close to 30-years ago. They have oxidized into a very nice brown shade. I assume cherry will oxidize as does Osage.
I'm preparing an experiment with cherry. Using a piece of unfinished cherry board , I will put it in the front window of my old truck. It'll be covered with removable cardboard flaps. I'll remove one every week, and will expose the board for 4,3,2, and one week to see how much exposure is needed to darken the wood a couple of shades.
I'm preparing an experiment with cherry. Using a piece of unfinished cherry board , I will put it in the front window of my old truck. It'll be covered with removable cardboard flaps. I'll remove one every week, and will expose the board for 4,3,2, and one week to see how much exposure is needed to darken the wood a couple of shades.
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Yep, osage was on my mind when I typed my reply. Osage seems to darken pretty quick no matter how much finish is on it. I've left osage bows in the sun and the bow string loop on the top limb will give them a "tan line"
Osage orange or bowdock as its called here darkens quickly, maybe a little faster than cherry. American black walnut will bleach in the sun.
