did I finish my table top right

You should put the same finish, with the same amount of coats on all surfaces, otherwise the wood is going to take up moisture unevenly.

Agree with Tim.

thanks ljs for your response I kinda new that is what you would say but had to ask

thanks noblevfd God Bless

you really need to finish all the sides…top and bottom the advise here is 100% correct

I think an unbalanced finish will have a negligible impact on 8/4 Cherry. I wouldn't sweat it.

This is another of the stories that are told and retold until they become "so called facts". Next time you have the opportunity examine the underside of as many antiques a and note how many of them were never finished.

Regards
Jerry

Jerry:

I have a house full of antique and early period furniture.
Most pieces have no finish on the undersides.

Our house is 80 years old and none of the original woodwork was finished on the back sides.

We have wild swings in relative humidity here in Kentucky and I haven't seen any problems.

OTOH, modern quick kiln dried and over-milled lumber might be problematic. I don't know?

I routinely seal the bottoms of any flat surfaces I want to stay flat. I agree, I've seen lots of antiques that were never sealed on the unseen sides, but I have personally seen stuff warp with unfinished sides. Maybe they would have warped anyway. That being said, I never spend as much time on the unseen sides as I do on the seen, finished sides. I think just sealing it is enough and, so far (15 years maximum on an MDF drum sander table, laminate on the finish side, 1 coat poly on the unseen side) that seems to be enough.

thanks LJs your answers prove the old saying their are always two sides to the story

thanks noblevfd God Bless