Cherry and oak are both hardwoods that make for durable kitchen cabinets, but the grain in each of the woods is different. Oak tends to have a heavy, wavier grain, while cherry has a lighter, tighter grain. For people who prefer the warm, darker tone of cherry, changing the color of oak cabinets by coating them with cherry stain may be enough to alter the look of your kitchen without having to invest in all new cabinetry. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Sand cabinets first before applying stain. Use courser grade sandpaper with a lower grit number. Work in the same direction as the grain when sanding so that you don't scratch the wood. Cabinets with a rougher surface will absorb more stain, making them look darker. While true cherry hardwood has a more even grain pattern than oak, applying heavy stain may give cabinets a more natural cherry look.
2. Wipe down the wood with a damp cloth after sanding. Wear rubber gloves to apply a generous coat of stain with a brush or sponge. Always apply stain in the direction of the grain. Some people rub on stain in a circular motion before going with the grain. Let cabinets stand for about 10 to 15 minutes to absorb the stain into the wood before wiping off excess stain with a clean cloth. The longer you wait before wiping, the darker the wood will stain.
3. Apply at least two coats of stain. You may choose to apply another coat, depending on how dark you want the cabinets to be. Keep in mind that it is easier to put on additional coats of stain than it is to remove the stain if the cabinets come out looking darker than you want. Oil-based stains penetrate into the wood, but can absorb unevenly into the wood. For cabinets to look like cherry, the surface should have a more even appearance.
4. Allow cabinets to dry for at least eight hours. Once the stain has soaked into the wood, apply an oil-based polyurethane finish to the cabinets. You can choose from a satin sheen, semi-gloss or high-gloss finish. Brush on following the direction of the grain. Be sure to brush out any bubbles or runs. Wait until the first coat has dried thoroughly before applying a second coat.
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