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can oak be stained to look like cherry

by Ms. Mayra Gulgowski V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Oak is an open grained wood and it will never look right stained cherry or mahogany. Cherry and mahogany are closed or tight grained woods similar to maple which is why that wood will take the stain and look like cherry.

If you have standard oak cabinets but would like to emulate the dark, red-tinted look of cherry, you can do so by refinishing them. You will need to carefully choose the right cherry colored stain and set up a work space.

Full Answer

Can You stain wood to look like oak?

Hence, you can stain your wood to look like oak only with the color tone and not the grain pattern. One of the commonly used woods that is stained to look like oak is pine. However, before doing this, take note that pine is a softer wood.

Can oak cabinets be refinished to look like Cherry?

If you have standard oak cabinets but would like to emulate the dark, red-tinted look of cherry, you can do so by refinishing them. You will need to carefully choose the right cherry colored stain and set up a work space. Re-staining cabinets in this manner can only be done to darken the cabinets, not to make them lighter.

What is the best stain for cherry wood?

Minwax makes a Cherry stain for wood. There are many shades of cherry wood stain on the market. When looking for cherry wood, you have to be more careful as many woodworkers fool the general public with less knowledge about wood.

What color does cherry wood look like?

Cherry wood in its natural unfinished state has a light color with pink tones and over time changes to a warm brown that looks orangey to me. Check out this blog post to see the difference in cherry wood over time. When I purchased the desk in 2011 at an auction for $25, it was definitely in that orange-brown category.

How long does it take for cherry wood to dry?

How long does it take for a stain to dry?

How to apply gel stain to wood?

How to apply second stain?

Can you refinish cherry cabinets?

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What wood can be stained to look like cherry?

Ellis Walentine: Maple and birch are the most common substitutes. Their grain patterns aren't quite the same, but with a dye stain, they can look a lot like cherry, at least at first glance. Cherry's color, of course, goes all the way through the wood, so you won't expose white wood if you chip an edge accidentally.

How do you make wood look like cherries?

1:273:41How To Stain Pine To Look Like Brazilian Cherry - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRed by Minwax. Both oil based stains. I find that they do a better job penetrating.MoreRed by Minwax. Both oil based stains. I find that they do a better job penetrating.

What color is cherry oak?

Cherry Wood Color The heartwood is a light pinkish brown that becomes a rich red brown color over time. The sapwood offers a creamy yellow color. Cherry wood colors vary from tree to tree. The color of the wood will darken to a rich patina over time with exposure to light.

What stain is close to cherry?

Brown maple can also be stained to look similar to cherry. Its grain pattern and board colors are much more irregular than cherry, but it would not have the filled knots like rustic cherry. Brown maple and rustic cherry are usually the same price, approximately 10% more than oak and about 15-20% less than top cherry.

How do you dye wood stained cherries?

Tung oil and boiled linseed oil soak into the wood, lodging in even the tiniest pores. This makes cherry's super-absorbent spots and curly figure stand out. The deep-amber color of these oils amplifies the effect. If you like mottled cherry, use a drying oil finish.

How do you stain wood to look like mahogany?

4:416:40Finishing Mahogany: 3 Tips for Beautiful Color in Your ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow switch to wood grain filler tinted with a dark brown stain. This will not only fill the pores toMoreNow switch to wood grain filler tinted with a dark brown stain. This will not only fill the pores to help us get a glass smooth finish. But it will also accentuate the character in the wood. Just.

Does oak and cherry go together?

Differences in color and grain as well as available styles in these woods make a memorable combination. Whether it's for formal or casual dining or an eat-in kitchen, mix cherry and oak to create contrast and excitement in your decor.

What is cherry oak?

Phonetic Spelling KWER-kus puh-GOH-duh Description. Cherrybark Oak is a native deciduous tree and one of the most highly valued red oaks in SE USA. It is common in the Carolinas and can grow to 130 feet in the wild with a straight trunk and is relatively fast-growing.

What is the difference between oak and cherry?

Oak and Cherry (hardwoods) possess distinct strengths and weaknesses for furniture, flooring, and cabinets. Oak is significantly denser, stronger, and more durable; it's shock-absorbent yet easy to shatter. Cherry is less dense and supple; its flexibility lends it strength but will warp, dent easily.

What color is natural cherry?

Natural cherry wood is perhaps the most prized furniture hardwood in America....Cherry Wood.ColorLight pink to rich reddish brownSourceAmerican Black Cherry Tree (Prunus Serotina)Hardness995 on the Janka scaleCost$3 to $10 per board feetCommon UsesFurniture, cabinets, flooring, kitchen accessories

What color is fruit wood stain?

Fruitwood stains vary in their color range, from lighter and golden to reds and browns, and they can be applied to wood in varying degrees—from light to dark.

Does cherry stain well?

We mentioned previously that cherry wood is one of the easier hardwoods to stain, and although it's a lot easier to stain than other woods in its class, this doesn't mean that any stain you buy at your local hardware is going to give you the same (if even a remotely good) finish.

How do you make cherry stain?

0:221:27Using Real Cherries for that "Authentic" Cherry Stain - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right this is 100% cherry juice and using a q-tip I just generously apply it to the wood.MoreAll right this is 100% cherry juice and using a q-tip I just generously apply it to the wood.

How long does cherry wood take to darken?

Natural cherry wood oxidizes when given exposure to UV lights, causing it to gradually darken over time. In most cases, 80% of the oxidization happens in the first year. If the wood is in a particularly sunny spot, most of this oxidation will likely occur in the first three months.

Does cherry wood stain well?

Less penetration limits the darkening of the wood, however, so there's a trade off. Staining is less effective. But cherry blotches even without a stain. All clear finishes (even shellac, which is often promoted as an exception) blotch cherry and, of course, so does a washcoat.

How do you finish a cherry wood bar top?

Ideally, it's best to simply enhance the natural beauty of cherry by applying an oil based varnish of some type. Oil finishes penetrate the surface, bringing out the maximum depth and beauty as the cherry oxidizes over time, revealing a desirable rich deeper colored patina.

Can you stain oak with cherry stain?

I think Faron is right. Even if you stain your oak with a cherry stain its not gonna be easy. Oak is a very hard wood & does not take stain very well except for the pores & dark grain. You might wanna try gel stain or even a poly/stain over that to get the rich color of cherry that you are looking for. I personally despise most cherry stains because they are so orange & often add red mahogany stain to the cherry stain for the look I like.

Is oak grain the same as cherry grain?

Oak grain and cherry grain are hardly sisters. Oak is tightly, contiguous grained while cherry is varigated grain with random wide fields of no grain. So it won't look like cherry unless you mask it entirely which would be a waste of warm oak beauty.

Is Minwax cherry stain dark?

Yeah stain companies really screwed up with cherry I think. Most of us think cherry is a dark red but when you buy some cherry stain from Minwax or Old Masters, it's light and not very red. Old Masters does have red mahogany in a wiping stain that is very dark and red. They also have some deeper rich reds that are kind of new you can check out. The darkest red I believe that Minwax has is called Sedona Red.

How to seal cherry wood?

You would need to strip and sand off the current finish, stain them to the cherry you want them and seal them with a finish of poly.

Can Oak cabinets be refinished to Cherry color cabinets?

We are buying a house that has old oak cabinets from 80's. Can they be refinished to make them looks like Cherry cabinets? Oak has so much grains, I wonder if something can be applied and then stained to get much smoother modern look? Thanks

Do you rub out sheen on oak?

You will want to rub out any sheen on the oak as it will emphasize the grain (which will make it look less like cherry….make sure you protect with a satin or flat outer coat.

Can you use general finishes dye stain?

Oddly enough you start by using a yellow to get a cherry color and then use either one or a mixture of reds.I like cinnamon,vintage cherry and merlot.

Is Lyptus cheaper than cherry?

Did you price Lyptus? It is cheaper here then red oak or cherry. The look is very similar to cherry and would be easier to match.

Can oak grain match cherry?

I am ok with the oak grain as it is unfinished, the cathedraling is actually quite nice when its subtle. So i dont need the grain to match cherry 100%, as long as it doesnt get a strong dark grain.

Step 1

Unscrew and remove all the hinges and other hardware from the cabinetry. Lay out the parts on a tarp.

Step 2

Sand down the surface of the cabinet with a vibrating sander and heavy sandpaper to remove the existing finish and expose the bare wood of the cabinet. Sand all the parts as well.

Step 3

Sand the whole surface a second time using fine sandpaper to get the wood smooth and clean. Wipe off all the dust.

Step 4

Paint the wood surfaces with a heavy coat of cherry wood stain, letting the stain gather and pool. Allow it to sit for a minute, then wipe up the surface liquid with rags, leaving behind just the stain that's soaked into the wood. Assess the surface, and apply a second layer of stain if it's not as dark as you want it.

Step 6

Paint the cabinet with a coat of polyurethane, brushing it on in a smooth, even layer. Let it dry for at least 6 hours.

Step 7

Lightly sand the dried polyurethane with fine sandpaper, by hand, to dull the gloss so the next layer will adhere. Brush on a second coat of polyurethane gloss in the same manner as the first. Let it dry for at least 6 hours.

Step 8

Lightly sand the second layer of polyurethane, then apply a third layer. Let it dry for a full day. Re-assemble the cabinet.

What are the Best Stains for Cherry Wood?

Since you are applying the stains on the most expensive hardwood in America, you must come up with the best stain, or you may ruin the expensive wood. When looking for the best stains for cherry wood, we came across these two most used and well-known stains for cherry wood.

What color is cherry wood?

Cherry wood itself comes in a limited color which is between light pink to rich reddish-brown. However, cherry wood stain gives you more choices depending on the density of different materials used in the formulation. Still, you’re always limited to a few colors while considering the custom nature of wood. That’s why you can’t go too much against the natural color of any wood. Here’s the list of options you have in cherry wood stains. You can have more, but these are the most used ones.

Does Minwax Make Cherry Stains?

Yes, Minwax does make cherry stains, and Minwax Wood Finish Oil-Based Cherry Semi-Transparent Interior Stain is one of their featured stains. It comes in 28 beautiful colors, giving you more choice to get the perfect color as per your house decoration and the rest of the furniture. The Minwax cherry stain penetrates deeper into the wood fibers to highlight the grain. In addition, you can use it for many purposes, such as staining unfinished wood furniture, hardwood floors, trim, molding, wood doors, and cabinets. Most importantly, it comes at an affordable price.

Is Cherry Hard to Stain?

Like pine, maple, and birch, cherry is comparatively difficult to stain. No matter how hard you try, most of the time, the attractive grain patterns end up with splotchy areas, darker in color. We would never recommend a beginner to stain cherry wood.

What is white wood stain?

White wood stain is a universal color used for interior wood stain as well as exterior wood stain. For example, it looks gorgeous when used for exterior wood stain projects like staining a gazebo,...

What is cherry wood used for?

Furthermore, cherry wood is commonly used for furniture, cabinets, flooring, and kitchen accessories. Since it’s widely used for many purposes, it’s famous among woodworkers and furniture aficionados. However, the real shape and color come from the cherry wood stain, making it light pink to rich reddish-brown, depending upon the intensity of the stain.

Does staining wood improve the look of furniture?

The technique of staining may significantly improve the appearance of wooden furniture or boards. Wood stains come in a variety of styles and hues. And with the right mix, you can bring out the glitz...

Removing the dark stain from the cherry wood desk

Before I started, I removed all the drawers, the back and all the hardware. The drop front is a little bit tricky but not too bad.

Wood bleaching cherry wood

When I was done with removing the stain, it was time to try out the wood bleaching kit again. Please make sure to read my dresser makeover ( HERE) as well to read more about using this kit.

Applying the lime wax to cover the pink tint

Just like the dresser makeover I didn’t condition or stain the wood because I wanted to keep it as light as possible.

Finished bleached and lime waxed desk

I love how the desk looks with the rest of the living room so much better than before.

How many coats of dark wine cherry to change yellow poplar?

It took two coats of Medium Walnut and one coat of Dark Wine Cherry to change the yellow poplar. The finish coat for each look-alike sample was lacquer.

What are the different types of wood grain?

Remember, all wood falls into three basic wood-grain categories: coarse-grained, such as oak and ash; medium-grained, like mahogany and walnut; and fine-grained, as found in cherry, maple, and yellow poplar. Because it's nearly impossible to make wood with one type of grain look like one with another type, select a look-alike wood with the same general grain features as the one you want to imitate.

What wood is used for furniture?

Knowledgeable furniture restorers sometimes face a piece needing repair that's made from chestnut, once a widely available furniture wood. No chestnut, no problem. They'll replicate a part from sassafras, abundant throughout the South, then finish the wood to match. Savvy finishers also know that they can make white ash pass for red oak if need be. In Colonial times, furnituremakers frequently substituted native black cherry for the popular but expensive Honduras mahogany then in vogue. Today, though, black cherry outpaces mahogany in the public's preference for furniture, so the look-alike role it once played no longer makes sense.

Can you mix wood and look like wood?

If you plan to mix a wood and its look-alike in the same project, such as walnut and red gum, you should stain or dye both woods. If the look-alike wood is lighter in color, use two coats of color to darken it, but only one coat on the wood being imitated.

Can you make wood look like one with another?

Because it's nearly impossible to make wood with one type of grain look like one with another type, select a look-alike wood with the same general grain features as the one you want to imitate. In most cases involving the substitution of wood, you'll have to stain or dye the look-alike wood.

Can you do woodworking with look-alike wood?

If you decide to do some woodworking with look-alike woods, you'll have more success if you keep the following in mind:

Does red alder match black cherry?

With its fine grain, pinkish color, and figure features, the red alder sample came pretty close to matching black cherry when each received one coat of Dark Wine Cherry aniline dye. However, by first sealing the red alder with shellac, then dyeing it, the result was even closer. Each was sprayed with a finish coat of lacquer. Note how much the two woods look alike in the unstained, clear-finished part of the photographs.

How long does it take for cherry wood to dry?

Allow the stain to dry for 24 hours. Assess the look to decide if you want to add another coat. This will darken the cherry stain. Apply a coat of clear wood finish with a brush, once the final coat of gel stain has dried for 24 hours.

How long does it take for a stain to dry?

Wait approximately 24 hours to see how the stain looks. To achieve a darker color, apply another coat of stain on top of the first 1 and allow it to dry again.

How to apply gel stain to wood?

Apply to adjacent areas in order to blend as you go. Remove any excess stain from the brush with a rag. Remember to use more care with applying gel stain than you usually would with wood stain. Always pull toward you, pick up the brush and apply a downward stroke toward yourself again. ...

How to apply second stain?

Apply the second type of stain with another brush next to the other stain, if you are comparing colors.

Can you refinish cherry cabinets?

Learn more... Cherry cabinets are can be very expensive. If you have standard oak cabinets but would like to emulate the dark, red-tinted look of cherry, you can do so by refinishing them. You will need to carefully choose the right cherry colored stain and set up a work space. Re-staining cabinets in this manner can only be done to darken ...

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1.3 Ways to Make Oak Cabinets Look Like Cherry Cabinets

Url:https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Oak-Cabinets-Look-Like-Cherry-Cabinets

1 hours ago  · If you have standard oak cabinets but would like to emulate the dark, red-tinted look of cherry, you can do so by refinishing them.You will need to carefully choose the right …

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Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2910093/can-oak-cabinets-be-refinished-to-cherry-color-cabinets

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