Replies

1. 
   desertrat | Sep 21, 2005 05:05pm | #1

   A couple of coats of shellac should do it, but the framework is probably impregnated also.

2. 
   forestgirl | Sep 21, 2005 07:09pm | #2

   The shellac has a liklihood of working, but I'd suggest you do just one drawer and see how it goes.  You could also try one of the products intended to remove odors  from furniture and such.  It's been years since I've used it, sorry I can't remember the name, but I've sprinkled it in chest drawers where the original ower was a smoker, and let it sit in there for a day or so.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   tms | Sep 21, 2005 07:15pm | #3

   The active component in mothballs is very volitile. I'm willing to be that if you left the drawers out, and in a well ventilated area, that the smell would leave by it's own accord.

   Tom

4. 
   CajunDan | Sep 21, 2005 08:35pm | #4

   I have heard of mothballs being put in tool chests to prevent rust. If you can live with the odor, it might be a good thing to have. At any rate, it will probably go away by itself in time.

   Regards,

   Dan

5. 
   forestgirl | Sep 22, 2005 10:02am | #5

   Old, traditional mothballs contained para-dichlorobenzene (or, if they were really old, naphthalene).  At any rate, the PDCB is nasty stuff, I'd certainly not want any residue around.  I'm also wondering (instinct only, not based on knowledge) if the mothball stuff would be safe for the metal in the guns.

   I like the idea of seeing if you can get it to evaporate, rather than sealing it in.  Or, a combination of letting it evaporate and soaking it up into baking powder or a commercial odor remover.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   walker910 | Sep 22, 2005 04:19pm | #6

   Thanks for the responses.  Not only have I tried to air it out, but I've had the drawers sitting in front of a box fan that's been running continuously for the past two weeks.  The odor seems to go away--but if I take the drawers away from the fan and leave them overnight, the next morning I can still smell it.

   You're right, forestgirl. The active ingredient in mothballs (PDCB) is pretty serious stuff.  My wife has lupus--fortunately a very mild case--but even one whiff of that stuff will cause a flare-up.  I figure, if it's that toxic for her, what must it be doing over time to somebody who has it in their bedroom closets . . . or a toolbox(!). 

   I'll give the shellac a try.  Again, thanks for the responses, everyone. 

   Bob

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 23, 2005 05:53am | #7

   "but even one whiff of that stuff will cause a flare-up."  Yikes!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)