Hey everyone! I'm in the process of building a bed frame out of beautiful curly cherry wood and I'm seeking some guidance on what finish to use. My primary concerns are protection (especially against my cats' claws) and maintaining the wood's natural beauty, including its chatoyance. I've heard that epoxy finishes are super durable but might give the wood a thick, plastic-like look, which I'm not a fan of. On the flip side, oil-based polyurethane can enhance the warmth and grain of the cherry but might not stand up as well to scratches. I'm leaning toward a satin finish, but I want to avoid anything that appears cloudy or dulls the wood's figure. Would love to hear about your experiences or if you have any recommendations! Thanks a bunch!
3 Answers
Honestly, I'd recommend going with a natural shellac. It's easy to apply and maintain, and it dries quickly—usually ready to go in under an hour! No curing time needed. You won't have to worry about harsh fumes either, just good old ethanol to work with. Plus, if you provide scratching posts for your cats, that can help save your furniture too!
You really can't go wrong with shellac! It's straightforward to apply, and you can top it with wax for extra protection. Just keep a few scratching posts around to distract your cats, and you should be golden. Epoxy isn’t the right choice for furniture like this, so stick with something more traditional like poly or shellac for the best results!
I’d steer clear of epoxy if you’re dealing with cats. It really shows every scratch they make and isn't designed for that kind of protection. A traditional oil and hard wax finish could offer better durability, plus it'll be easier to repair if needed. It will definitely look nicer on the cherry too!