I recently built a 7 drawer dresser for my wife. I wasn’t sure about finishing the interior, but after much consternation I applied 2 coats of shellac. Also, what about finishing drawers? I usually only finish the outside of the front and leave the remainder plain. Any suggestions?
The information I have seen about on finishing doesn’t seem to address what to finish and what not to finish – only how to apply finish.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Replies
Max,
I've seen tabletops that were finished only on their tops cup pretty badly - could have been avoided by finishing the bottom as well.
Cautionary tales of this kind tell me that, if I'm going to finish one side of something, finishing the other side is pretty cheap insurance.
As to drawers, webframes and the like, you can't hurt them by applying a wash coat or two of shellac. If sufficiently sanded, someone's silk, nylon, and satin unmentionables aren't likely to catch or snag - so sand everything smooth: you can decide whether to apply shellac as a purely aesthetic consideration.
I sometimes apply a coat of two of one-pound-cut shellac to hardwood plywood early in the building process as a sacrificial protective layer - couldn't hurt.
Good luck,
Paul
My general rule of thumb is that if it isn't plywood, finish both faces and all the edges. At least put a good sealer coat on all the surfaces and edges so that yearly changes in humidity won't make your drawers / doors bind / cup / warp.
On plywood, I seal the edges with a glue wash or sanding sealer / prestain wood conditioner / thin coat of poly --whatever is appropriate to the job. I do this to keep the ply from delaminating because of humidity changes over time.
Hope this helps,
Enery
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