Bottlehead Forum: OT: Many questions for you on cabinet finishing (long) by Steve Culton

Hey Till E.,

First, congrats on your Paramours. Impressive. That's going to be my next project. But right now, I'm in the middle of Straight 8's. I've read a lot of your posts on finishing cabinets (specifically tung oil, which I like), and I have a few questions to ask you. Hope you don't mind.

The Straight 8 cabinets will be finished in two-ply cherry veneer, with cherry quarter-rounds and a cherry rounded-over "lid" that will sit on top of the cabinets.

As much as I'd like to keep the finish the natural cherry, it's just not going to match with existing furniture and audio cabinetry in the room. (WAF) So it seems like I'll need to find a stain to match. Then tung oil over the stain.

As part of my veneering practice, I have a sheet of mdf with the veneer over it. I chose a few sample stains (all either too light of too dark), and am in the process of doing a tung oil practice run over it. So far so good! I also tried a 1-1-1 mix of tung oil, boiled linseed oil, and poly. Wasn't too psyched about that.

I read somewhere that you recommended a "wash coat of tinted shellac" over cherry. (watch out, here come the questions) How would that be applied (brush or cloth?) Would I sand first? What do you tint the shellac with, or does it come tinted? I'm wondering if this tinted shellac would serve the same as stain, or would you apply shellac AND stain? What about sanding sealer? Is it appropriate for anything I'm doing?

If I sound confused, I am. Would appreciate any feedback you could give me.

I've put a million hours into my Straight 8's, and I want them to come out perfect.

*S*