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NATURAL CHERRY VENEER

I left my new Nautilus 805's sitting in the bottom piece of the foam packing they were shipped in, and placed them on top of their boxes (free stands) while I went out of town for a week. When I came back, I took the speakers out of the foam bottoms and noticed a "tan line" where the speakers had been sitting down in the foam packing pieces. Here's the question, Does anyone know for sure, whether natural cherry continues to darken with time, forever, or if it reaches a certain point and then stops darkening alltogether, or slows dramatically??? My curtains were drawn, and very little light was able to enter the room. I believe that they will even out with time, but the Obsessive-Compulsive in me has decided to cover up the "tan" part and let the non tanned part acquire some sun. So.... Bring on the info!!!! Thanks.
gthirteen
greysquirrel
62 posts
 
I have Avalon Eclipse speakers in quilted cherry. I've had them for about 4 years and they, of course, have darkened. To my eyes -- and those of friends who periodically visit -- the color has remained the same for the last two years. Natural cherry reaches such a beautiful color and richness when exposed to direct and indirect sunlight! My recommendation is to open the shades and allow all parts of the wood to get exposed. At first the direct sunlight will darken areas a little faster, but with time the color will match nicely. Also, been watching my friend's Quilted cherry Avalons go from light to dark with time. Beautiful to watch the transformation. I agree with P_mmk, in about 2 years they will be as dark as they will ever get (as long as they see some indirect sunlight everyday). Good luck!
tony007's avatar
tony007
69 posts
 
I have red cherry N801's and they also darkened over time. To help you even out the color, I use Pledge polish which comes in a yellow trigger spray bottle. The product is a wax free pump spray(non-aerosol) and contains silicone polishing agents instead of wax so it can be used regularly. The shine on the finish will deepen each time you use it. Apply with a very soft cloth turning the cloth frequently. Do not touch the polish or the rag accidentally to the drivers. The red finish on my 801's looks outstanding. Visitors compliment on their beautiful appearance regularly.
chungjc966b
6 posts
 
The different experiences with cherry darkening that people have had may have to do with how fresh the wood was when it was made into the box or veneer, and how much light exposure it got before it even got to the speaker company. I agree with greysquirrel. About two years should complete any significant darkening (I think it's UV that does it), based on some furniture I made. It's a natural and beautiful process. If the wood is fairly fresh, the process moves fast, and it wouldn't surprise me if one week produced a tan line. I don't blame you for trying to even up the tan line, but after that I'd say leave the wood alone. Don't color it with polish or anything. Just enjoy the process -- it's a gorgeous wood.
mezmo
516 posts
 
Does anyone have a good tricks for evening out slight scratches or dings in a cherry finish? Generally speaking, all good woods seem to benefit from a little maintenance, but I'm a little wary about what to unleash here. Any suggestions?
gthirteen OP
355 posts
 
Thanks, everyone... Mezmo, I recently used a wood scratch repair kit on my floor. Basically it is 3 or 4 crayons ( a little softer than I remember) one is pretty clear, one is light tan, one is light brown, one is dark brown. You just rub the crayon across the scratch, and it fills in the valley. Then you take a little scraper(included) and wipe it down the length of the scratch, to take off the excess. Then use a soft cotton cloth to buff it untill you cant even see it. I'm no wood expert, but it's only wax...and it works pretty good on relatively small scratches, I dunno about dings. I got mine at Lowe's hardware store. Good luck!!!
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