Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/7/2009

Question
I'll start by admitting that I wouldn't know what "cherry wood grain" looked like if someone hit me in the head with it. I purchased a lattice arbor to be used as a backgroung setting for my daughters outdoor wedding. It is cedar that I would call "clear" or "white" and she indicated that she would like for it to have a cherry wood appearance. It was bare (unfinished) and before assembly, I applied a Minwax wood stain Cherry #235. I did one coat and allowed less than 5 minutes penetration before wiping off the excess stain. It gave it a nice tone in my opinion but as I mentioned before, I don't really know what cherry should look like. I am affraid to try another coat for fear it will make it too dark. Is there some type of oil or something that I could apply to make it look a little richer in color without darkening the tone?

Answer
Hi Kevin
Nice to hear from you.
You are quite right to hesitate in applying more stain. Cedar really absorbs stain and you may very well get too much color.
Try a small test area with some tung oil applied with a rag or brush.
This will heighten the color without making it darker.
If all else fails and the Bride is not happy (Heaven forbid LOL), I would spray a colored lacquer over the wood. It can be applied over Minwax stain AND tung oil.
Here is the colored lacquer I refer to.
You can probably get the exact color the Bride wants.

http://www.constantines.com/browseproducts/Behlen-Jet-Spray-Lacquers.HTML

You will need at least 2 cans for coverage but get three if its a large arbor.
Good Luck
Eileen