Replies

1. 
   Glaucon | Jan 14, 2006 12:11am | #1

   Often drawer insides are not finished at all, but I tend to favor a couple of coats of 4 lb shellac and a little Briwax.  Looks tidy, and the insides of drawers don't get much abuse (also its non-toxic in the event she decides to teethe on one...).

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

1. 
   woodworker417 | Jan 14, 2006 12:16am | #2

   thanks.  i don't know much about shellac.  is there such a thing as "clear" shellac?  i'd prefer to keep the insides of the drawers a light color close to the natural color of the wood.  thanks agian, tony.

1. 
   jazzdogg | Jan 14, 2006 12:40am | #3

   Hi Tony,

   I, too, use shellac - but nothing as viscous as a four-pound cut.

   I am very pleased with the results I achieve by ragging on a few coats of Zinsser Seal Coat, which is a super-blonde (imparts no color of its own) fully dewaxed, two-pound cut shellac.

   Good luck,-Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

1. 
   Glaucon | Jan 14, 2006 01:42am | #5

    <"...but nothing as viscous as a four-pound cut.">

   Ooops... I meant to say a 2 lb cut- I usually take a 4 lb and cut it with alcohol 1:1- 4 lbs is  too heavy- thanks for the correction.

    Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

2. 
   Pondfish | Jan 14, 2006 01:31am | #4

   I agree that you should use shellac, and the Zinsser SealCoat product is fine.  The Zinsser standard clear shellac you get at a big box is also fine for what you are doing.

   When applying, stick to very thin coats.  In fact, it's best to pad the shellac on, but if your drawers are assembled this won't be possible.  Get a good brush (gold talkon is good) and apply very light coats.  Do NOT go over a spot you just brushed--one pass and let it dry.  After a few coats, let it dry overnight then sand it down lightly with 320 grit, or buff it with #0000 steel wool (or equivalent 3M pad).

   Shellac is a very easy finish to apply and will do a great job at protecting your drawers, while enhancing their beauty.Recommending the use of "Hide Signatures" option under "My Preferences" since 2005

2. 
   Gretchen | Jan 14, 2006 04:56pm | #6

   Unfinished or shellac. I would not put wax on--it has an odor, and it will come off on clothes or whatever is in the drawer.Gretchen

1. 
   woodworker417 | Jan 14, 2006 06:15pm | #7

   thanks everyone for the help.  the drawers are not yet glued up, so i can apply the shellac and then handle the glue up.  what grit would you recommend i sand the drawer surfaces to before sanding the shellac?  thanks, tony.

1. 
   tangomike | Jan 14, 2006 07:23pm | #8

   I wouldn't shellac before gluing, but you could providing you tape off the glue surfaces. Sanding to 180 is good for almost all finishes.

2. 
   Hotzcatz | Jan 16, 2006 09:18am | #9

   Aloha,

   Other than painting or finishing, a thin layer of unfinished Port Orford cedar on the inside of the drawers would be a lovely thing. 

   For shellac, if you want to get shellac flakes (which can be kept indefinately until mixed with denatured alcohol to make shellac) try:  www.shellac.net/

   You may also want to google "French Polishing" for an easy method to apply the shellac.

   A hui hou,
   Cathy

1. 
   JohnWW | Jan 16, 2006 10:28pm | #10

   Cathy,

   Are you sure you mean Port Orford cedar?  I've done one big project with it, a fence and planters for a magazine article.  I found the smell was both irritating and unpleasant, enough so that I finally was forced to mov the table saw outdoors to keep the dust and smell out of the shop.  The only cedar that I've seen or used for clothing storage is aromatic red cedar which smells entirely different from Port Orford cedar.

   John W. 

3. 
   JohnWW | Jan 16, 2006 10:34pm | #11

   I also recommend shellac.  Over time the unfinished wood on the interior of the drawer will often develop a slightly raised grain, that will snag fine fabrics and knits. 

   One thing not to use is any oil, varnish, or poly finishes, the unpleasant smell can linger inside the drawers for years.

   John W.

4. 
   docotter | Jan 21, 2006 08:08am | #12

   I use a 1 lb cut of ultra blonde shellac for drawer interiors and inside cabinets. Color change is minimal. It's only available as flakes, so I have to mix it as needed. I also wax the sides and any other sliding surface.