Cherry is almost always blotchy when stained. You can use a "wood
conditioner" or "Pre-stain". I know everyone hates Minwax around here
but they make one you can get at the Borg. It will help a some, but
with Cherry it is really difficult to get good results.

One trick I use is try test pieces that have been sanded with various
weights of sand paper. For instance, a piece sander to just 120 will
likely stain much more evenly than one sanded to 400. You can get good
results with the 120 if you use a light hand and take your time. Too
fine of a grain sanding can make using pigment stains difficult to get
get good penetration and tone.

Another idea is to try using an anoline or other dye stain. A bit more
difficult and less forgoving and not always better, but maybe worth a
try. You can get some pre-mixed versions of the non-grain raising NGR
from the nice folks at Wood Finishing Supply.com.

Finally, Cherry darkens with sunlight. It happens real quick with
direct light. Try some Tung oil and turpentine then set it under a sun
lamp or outdoors.

BW


"Frosty Thunder" wrote in message ...
I'm trying to stain some cherry wood and just seem to get blochy results.
I'm using a gel stain which is doing much better than the thin stuff. I'm
putting it on evenly and wiping off the excess. Is it in the wood or the
stain or the application method? Any help would be appricated.

Thanks
George