Best Stain for Cherry Wood [2024 Review]

Cherry wood is a type of reddish-to-blond hardwood. You’ll find it in many furniture pieces, but it’s most commonly used for carved chairs and shaker-style tables.

This wood is famous for its lustrous polish, rich color, and smooth surface, providing that it’s clean and maintained.

What happens when it’s not clean and maintained? The cherry wood would then get darker and will lose its luster. Some people like that, but most others would want a refinish of their precious cherry. You can often do that using stains, but what’s the best stain for cherry wood?

There isn’t a product that’ll go absolutely with everything. However, I can show you the top five, which is what this post is for.

Top 5 Cherry Stain Reviews

Here are my top five picks. The first will be the best overall product, followed by other stains that might be helpful for various needs. 

Best Stain for Cherry: Minwax 71009000 Wood Finish  

Stain Type: Oil-based

Minwax 71009000 does a fantastic job in renewing and protecting your cherry wood. The reason is its oil-based formula that can penetrate the micropores of the wood.

That’s why you only need one coat of this finish to give the wood a new appearance. It takes two hours to dry out, but it’s better to extend that period to six hours to ensure complete dryness.

You can easily apply it using a brush as it spreads without clogging. Use it on doors, furniture, cabinets, and various accessories. The resulting finish is rich in color, lustrous, and smooth.

As mentioned earlier, one coat is more than enough to finish the job. However, If you want a deeper color, you may apply a second coat 4–6 hours after applying the first layer.

It’s unlikely to find major issues in Minwax’s products, as it’s one of America’s pioneers in wood finishing. However, some users reported that the mixture settles in the bottom of the can even after proper shaking.

The Minwax finish is also quite affordable, with a price tag approaching the $40 mark for the gallon. Yet, a few users reported that the amount they got was somewhat underwhelming and wasn’t enough to finish the job.

Pros

• A high-quality brand that provides excellent finishing surface
• Quick dryness after two hours
• You’ll acquire a rich color even from one coat
• You can darken the color by applying additional coats

Cons

• The mixture can sometimes settle in the bottom of the can
• The quantity may be too little to finish the amount of wood you need to finish

Most Environmentally Friendly Cherry Wood Stain: SamaN Interior Water-Based

Stain Type: Water-based

SamaN stain is an excellent example of how a water-based stain should be. Water-based stains are notorious for being too flowy and hard to control, but not SamaN.

Because it’s a water-based stain, it’s almost odorless, so you won’t have to go outside or set up a garage workshop to get your work done. Water-based stains also dry in 30–90 minutes, much faster than their oil-based counterparts.

You’ll still have a smooth, color-rich, and lustrous finish. As such, you can apply the SamaN stain on furniture, cabinets, and wood paneling.

SamaN stains, in general, are eco-friendly. Besides being odorless, they’re also safe if they come in contact with the skin. The packaging is even in a recyclable plastic bottle.

However, water-based stains can raise the wood grains a little. It doesn’t always happen, but there’s a bit of probability. Some people like that, but if you don’t, then SamaN might not be for you.

Water-based stains also don’t penetrate the wood as well as oil-based ones, so you might need a second coating after the first one dries.

Pros

• Fantastic finish with multiple colors to choose from
• It quickly dries within 30–90 minutes
• It’s odorless and non-toxic, making it easy to use indoors
• It’s an environmentally friendly stain, and the bottle is recyclable

Cons

• It might raise the wood grains
• Weaker penetration of wood compared to oil-based stains

Stain Designed for Cherry Wood: Tried & True Stain 

Stain Type: Oil-based

If you want a stain specifically designed to give your cherry wood a new surface, Tried & True stain is the product for you.

You don’t even need a brush for this one. With a lint-free piece of cloth, you can quickly give your cherry wood a lustrous appearance as if you just bought it yesterday.

You still have to thoroughly mix the stain before applying, so keep that in mind.

To get the best results, you need to sand and smoothen your wood before applying this stain. The smoother your surface is, the better the final result will be.

Once you apply the stain, allow the wood to absorb it for five minutes, then use a clean, lint-free cloth to clean any excess to avoid a patchy result.

Tried & True is an overall fantastic stain. The one downfall is the whopping eight hours it needs to settle in completely. The price is also on the expensive side.

Pros

• A product specifically designed for cherry wood, providing optimum results
• Easy to mix, use, and apply
• Penetrates deep into the wood since it’s oil-based
• Will last for a lifetime if properly maintained

Cons

• It takes eight hours to dry out completely
• A bit on the expensive side

Most Versatile Cherry Wood Stain: HOWARD RF8 Products Restor-A-Finish

Stain Type: Oil-based

Many products on the market can quickly bring old cherry wood back to life. But what if you need to renew some wood that was already renewed before? Would you have to remove the old layer or apply a new one?

With Restor-A-Finish, you can apply your restorative stain without worrying about what’s underneath. Whether the wood has been finished before or not, simply apply it and watch the fantastic result.

Restor-A-Finish comes in nine different colors that can penetrate deep into the wood without scratching it. If anything, it can cover scratches by filling the gaps, providing that you select the appropriate color.

However, unlike other products on my list, like Minwax 71009000, you can’t use Restor-A-Finish to darken your furniture even if you apply multiple layers. It also has a strong, unpleasant smell that takes a while to dissipate.

Pros

• Available in multiple colors
• It hides scratches and wood dents by filling in the gaps
• You can apply it even if there’s an old layer underneath
• It can remove even heat rings and watermarks

Cons

• It has a strong, unpleasant smell
• Even with multiple layers, it won’t darken your furniture

Best Color Selection: General Finishes Water-Based Wood Stain 

Stain Type: Water-based

General Finishes wood stain is the last product on my list and the second water-based stain we have. It’s also one of the highest-rated wood stains on Amazon, for a good reason.

For starters, you have 18 colors to choose from. All of them are rich, vibrant, smooth, and almost odorless. Having all of these colors allows you to mix and match for an even greater selection of colors.

Since it’s water-based, it doesn’t have the same protection as oil-based stains, which is why it’s only suitable for indoor furniture use.

However, it was formulated to give you similar consistency and workability. So, you won’t have to worry about the overly watery consistency that most water-based stains have.

The reviews on GF’s stain were mostly positive, but some users reported that the final result was somewhat darker than the original. You can avoid that by selecting a slightly lighter color than your furniture.

Pros

• Large color selection
• Almost odorless, which makes it suitable for indoor use
• It has similar workability to oil-based stains
• It provides a smooth finish

Cons

• It’s not as strong as oil-based stains, so you shouldn’t use it for outdoor furniture
• The resulting color is sometimes darker than intended

Why Use Cherry Wood for DIY Projects

Cherry wood is a popular choice for DIY projects for several reasons:

• Durability: Cherry wood is a hardwood that is known for its durability and strength. It has a tight grain that makes it resistant to wear and tear, making it an ideal choice for furniture and other DIY projects like end tables that require longevity.
• Beautiful color and grain: Cherry wood has a beautiful, warm color that varies from light reddish-brown to deep red. It has a distinctive, fine grain that can add a unique character and style to any project.
• Easy to work with: Cherry wood is relatively easy to work with, making it a great choice for beginners and experienced DIYers alike. It can be easily cut, shaped, and sanded, and it takes stain and finish well.
• Versatility: Cherry wood can be used for a variety of DIY projects, from furniture making to decorative items, like Christmas wood crafts like cutting boards, picture frames, and more. It can also be combined with other woods to create stunning designs.
• Sustainable: Cherry wood is a sustainable choice for DIY projects. It is readily available and grown in the United States, and it is harvested from sustainably managed forests, ensuring a steady supply for future generations.

Overall, cherry wood is an excellent choice for DIY projects due to its durability, beauty, versatility, and sustainability.

Cherry Wood Stain Features to Consider

When selecting a stain for cherry wood, there are a few features you should consider to ensure you achieve the desired results. Here are some key stain features to consider:

Color

The color of the stain is one of the most critical factors to consider when staining cherry wood. Cherry wood has a warm, reddish-brown color, so you’ll want to choose a stain that complements or enhances this color.

Choosing the right stain color can be tricky because it depends on your personal preferences and the look you’re trying to achieve.

• For a more traditional look, consider using a cherry or mahogany stain that is similar to the natural color of cherry wood.
• For a more modern or unique look, you may want to experiment with lighter or darker shades to create a distinctive style.

Different types of wood will absorb stains differently, so before you stain your wood, test the stain on a small area of the wood before applying it to the entire project.

Transparency

The transparency of the stain is also a crucial factor to consider. A transparent stain will allow the natural grain and beauty of the cherry wood to show through, while a more opaque stain will give a more solid, painted look.

Choosing the right level of transparency will depend on the look you’re trying to achieve and the amount of grain you want to show through.

• If you’re staining cherry wood with a prominent grain, such as a table or a countertop, you may want to consider a transparent stain that will showcase the natural beauty of the wood.
• If you’re staining cherry wood with a less prominent grain, such as a cabinet or a dresser, you may want to consider a more opaque stain to give it a more uniform look.

Consistency

Stain consistency refers to how evenly the stain spreads and how well it adheres to the wood. Choosing a stain that has consistent coverage and doesn’t leave blotches or streaks on the surface of the cherry wood is critical to achieving a professional-looking finish.

Different types of wood absorb stains differently, and some areas of the wood may be more porous than others. To ensure consistent coverage, it’s essential to prepare the wood properly before applying the stain. This may involve sanding the wood, filling in any gaps or knots, and using a pre-stain conditioner.

Apply the stain evenly, using a brush or a cloth, and remove any excess stain that hasn’t been absorbed by the wood.

Drying time

The drying time of the stain can affect the final look of your project. Some stains dry quickly, while others take longer. The drying time of the stain can also affect how well it penetrates the wood and how even the finish is.

• If you’re working on a large project or have limited time, consider using a stain that dries quickly.
• If you’re working on a smaller project or have more time, consider using a stain that takes longer to dry.

Allow the stain to dry completely before applying a topcoat or finish to prevent smudging or streaking.

Type of stain

There are many types of stain available, each with its own unique properties and application methods.

• Oil-based stains are easy to apply and penetrate the wood deeply, but they can be messy and take a long time to dry.
• Water-based stains are more environmentally friendly and dry quickly, but they can raise the grain of the wood, making it more difficult to sand.
• Gel stains are thicker and easier to control than liquid stains, but they may not penetrate the wood as deeply.
• Spray stains are convenient and easy to use, but they can be messy and require more preparation to ensure even coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

Long story short, if you don’t want to bother too much with details and just want a jack of all trades, go for the Minwax 71009000 Finish.

General Finishes and SamaN are excellent water-based stains that won’t tire you with the notorious flowability of water-based stains. They’re also safe, almost odorless, and quick to dry.

For a stain designed just for cherry wood, you won’t go wrong with Tried & True Stain. Last but not least, if you’re trying to hide some defects in the wood, use the HOWARD RF8.