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  • to Finish or not

    Posted by Isabel Eccles on February 9, 2026 at 12:28 pm

    Could I order raw (sanded but unfinished) cherry shaker cabinets, then just oil the fronts instead of clear coat finish/stain etc.
    What would be downside?

    Chad replied 5 months, 1 week ago 1 Member · 1 Reply
  • 1 Reply
  • Chad

    Administrator
    February 9, 2026 at 12:42 pm

    Oil will likely not last as long, and it does not fully seal the wood against moisture, but this approach is common and many people use it without major issues. The look will be different, oil on cherry will show much more grain texture compared to a clear-coated finish, since oiled products have little to no surface build.

    You will need to reapply the oil periodically, similar to how butcher block countertops are maintained, but overall this should be fine.

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