Q:

I finished the outside of a blanket chest with Tried & True Varnish Oil. Do I need to finish the inside to keep the wood from splitting and warping? If so, is there a finish that will be odorless after a couple of weeks?

Michael Wollowski, Terre Haute, IN

A:

You can leave the inside carcase of the chest unfinished if you like, but I would play it safe and seal it. Avoid oil-based finishes because their odor will linger and permeate the contents of the chest. That won’t happen with shellac, because most of its alcohol solvent evaporates very quickly. I’d apply two coats, followed by a coat of wax after the shellac has dried for 24 hours.