I have built a 3’W X 2’D X 7’H pantry which will be located in the garage. My question is do I need to stain it, tung oil it or whatever? Is that strictly cosmetic or is it necessary? The pantry is made with a baltic plywood carcase and low grade, on sale, hard maple for the frame and panel doors. Since it’s not for show I don’t want to add a finish if I don’t have to.
Jim
Replies
I have a pantry I built in my dry basement several years ago - always meant to paint it, but never did - still seems fine.
Samson:You're wonderful. You've made my day. Thanks for the feedback. It hasn't been a project I've really enjoyed, it's been a project I needed to do. I would like to get back to the table I started a few months ago. Your note will get me there sooner.Thanks again, Jim
I made a little toy Big Foot monster truck about 20 years ago and never put any finish on it because I was afraid all my glue spots would telescope out. To this day the truck still looks fine, just unfinished.
Mike
I had something like that in my old shop. Never really got around to finishing it but every time I had some finish left in a brush or in a can, I would just clean my brush on it. Sure created a conversation piece over the years.
We'll be paying big bucks for that in an antique shop, HOwie!!Gretchen
Unfortunately, I didn't take that when I moved to North Carolina, Gretchen. And, I know the new owner tore it out. Guess he didn't appreciate 1960's psychedelia.Howie.........
Howie & Every Other Contributor:Thanks to everyone for the info. The pantry stays "Au Natural" for now. I like your solution Howie but my wife doesn't. She's happy with the way it is. I call her City Hall for a good reason. You can't fight city hall, at least not without consequences.Thanks again, Jim
Edited 9/24/2008 10:48 pm ET by James R.
You can tell that you've decided to go green and that your trying not to leave too large a foot print on the environment, therefor you decided not to finish it.
It didn't work for me with my wife but who knows? perhaps it'll work for you with yours.
Lots of luck,
Chaim
P.S. One of the project I've been avoiding is painting the stairwell ceiling which is so high you don't even notice it!
Chaim:Good point. I like being green, but then again we have two SUV's. As for the wife she likes it unfinished as long as it's in the garage. Besides she has a continuing list of projects for me to work on. A home is like a patient that is always complaining and constantly requires treatment.Thanks, Jim
There are three reasons to finish something:
1. To beautify it
2. To protect it
3. To provide a cleanable surface.
So to answer your question, do you need any of those? Ever seen the black body oil build up on the unfinished door casing to a garage people door? Yuck!
Since it's not for show I don't want to add a finish if I don't have to.
Just me''' I'd give it a coat of wax
You don't have to finish, though you will extend the life somewhat if you do. Finishes retard the flow of moisture into and out of the piece, giving the seasonal ups and downs a smaller range of variation over the year. That means less movement and fasteners and glue joints will be stressed less. In a garage, the air gets a much wider range of moisture content over the year than in conditioned spaces.
Does that mean it would fall apart next year--or even five years from now? I doubt it, but it may mean it's getting shabby stucturally in 15. where a quick coat of shellac might give it an extra 5 years.
Of course you don't need to do anything to it if your happy with it as-is. Staining in particular is rampant and unnecessary,
Brian
Jim,
As others have pointed out, painting or applying a clear finish to the pantry would make it easier to clean. That's an important point when you're storing food. If you don't put a finish on it now, the movement of cans and boxes and bottles dragged over the shelves will make it look dirty and uninviting in a relatively short period of time. And then you'll want to paint it - and then it will be more difficult to do because of the dirt and greases that have accumulated on the surfaces.
In my opinion, it would be better to do a little work now than much more later...
Zolton - having just resurrected his own pantry with paint and new drawers. And his wife loves it..
If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon
I wonder how many pantries are painted with old lead based Oil paint and the woman the most used it lived to at least 90 years old!
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