> Maybe it's the finish aging and darkening rather than the wood itself.
> I've stripped yellow pine woodwork that was almost black to find darkened
> but nevertheless recognizable wood underneath. I know wood will darken on
> its own--some more than others, but so will finishes. Tom

Hi Tom You are right about finishes which darken and I've seen that myself, and that's just an old, bad (deteriorating) finish. And I've seen good clear finishes that alter the color of a particular wood, as most do, to some extent. But, Cherry is a peculiar breed. I have a friend who does insurance repairs on antiques, and his favorite is Cherry. He has cleaners that will remove old surface finishes without damaging the rich color ( character, for lack of the proper term ) in the wood. It retains the value if done right. If a piece needs replacement, they would rather cut and fit from another piece than sand and refinish. It IS the wood that changes in this case. I'm sure all woods do it to a certain degree, but, Cherry shows it best. It only comes from age and to sand it back to the original hue renders it vertually useless. ( not entirely, but, a big difference in value ) I cannot tell you what chemical reaction causes it, but, I know it happens, and I accept it. Now, to use it on a boat, while it may be quite expensive, WILL in fact be very beautiful, as it has a great color, but, whether it will ever attain that deep rich color..............?????? I can't say. There are those who know how this effect takes place and could probably say for sure, but, it's not I. I Think that it would be an awsome sight, cause with that color also comes a sort of 3D effect. The wood gets a deep liquid look. I have gotten that look by useing a "wash-coat" on the piece before the actual finish is applied. It especially works on 1/4 sawn wood and birds-eye woods. Makes it look about 1/2" deep. I haven't tried it with the resin and glass, so, don't know if it will adhere. I just got the materials for my canoe and am waiting to get the space in the garage to build, so, I may practice with some 1/4" birch and oak ply I have laying around. If it works, I will not hesitate to use it on the boat. Anyway, as for the Cherry, I would love to see it used, but, don't know if the color that Cherry is famous for, will come out. ???? I doubt I could afford it except maybe for an accent trim color. Very Trim..Uh...thin !! If anyone has used cherry, It would be nice to hear what it looks like in the glass, and if it has darkened. {;o)

Rehd