Replies

1. 
   RMillard | Nov 16, 2003 03:15pm | #1

   Harold,

   I have never finished a piece with just oil, but I have oiled only one side of a board and applied shellac to the other, during the finishing process, with no problems ( things usually warp almost immediately, foreshadowing future problems) . The only thing that would concern me is, if your sides are not restrained, by some mechanical means. In my work I use a sliding dovetail joint for either a dust board or a frame that supports a drawer. This helps to keep the sides flat.

   Rob Millard

2. 
   SgianDubh | Nov 16, 2003 03:32pm | #2

   A good move to not use boiled linseed oil on the inside of your cabinet, Harold. The pure oil finishes like this one, and pure tung oil smell like rancid, sweaty socks, probably forever, when used in enclosed spaces with little or no air circulation. Oil based varnish can leave a lingering smell for a long time too until they cure completely, but I do use these from time to time inside cabinetry.

   I regularly use a different finish on the inside of a cabinet to that used on the outside, and I can't think that I've ever had a piece come back with a problem due to this.

   There are plenty of historical precedents, and many old and antique pieces survive quite happily to this day with all internal parts bare and unfinished, whereas the exterior is polished one way or another, or oiled as you propose. If you want to shellac the inside, I'd go right ahead and not worry about it. Shellac is a classic finish to seal internal parts-- which I would normally spray on, but brushing or wiping works fine too. I also use sprayed lacquers from the nitro-cellulose family as an alternative.

   Bear in mind regarding your potential for differential moisture absorption or moisture loss (from the exposed faces inside a sealed interior) that interiors tend to experience a somewhat different air moisture content than does the exterior. The exterior is more exposed to changing measures of relative air humidity caused by house climate controls, i.e., heating and cooling, etc.. Closed doors, drawers, etc., reduce internal air circulation. Slainte. 

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   Edited 11/16/2003 9:56:15 PM ET by Sgian Dubh

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Nov 17, 2003 02:13am | #3

   Using a shellac on the inside is the way to go. But rather than wiping it on (that will be unsuccessful) either spray it or brush it. A 2# cut will brush on very nicely. You only need one coat.

   Do not be concerned about the differing finishes on the two sides. Things like linen presses have enough support of their panels that warping is very rare.

   Remember, almost all old time furntiture was finished only on the outside.