Replies

1. 
   bill_1010 | Jun 30, 2004 01:36am | #1

   coat the insides with shellac

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 30, 2004 01:37am | #2

   Yep -- shellac will do the trick......

3. 
   Alan | Jun 30, 2004 01:44am | #3

   S_,

   You didn't say if you used boiled linseed oil inside the chest.  If so, the smell will go away as soon as the oil completely cures.  Unfortunately that can take several weeks or months depending on the usual stuff.  I know of no way to completely remove the oil from the wood or to seal it in.

   If you used oil only on the outside you may be able to reduce somewhat the smell on the inside.  Two or three coats of shellac on the interior may help quite a bit.  But IME once the aroma permeates the wood it doesn't really go away until the oil has cured.

   Others may have better suggestions.

   Alan

4. 
   301 | Jun 30, 2004 07:54am | #4

   I think a good coat of paste wax will help diminish the smell, but then you have the turpentine smell from the wax lingering for a while.  Incidently: I like the smell of linseed oil, a very unique odor.

5. 
   hamelech | Jul 01, 2004 06:11am | #5

   sawdust04,

   I know you specifically asked about getting rid of the smell, but I'd like to suggest Tried and True branded products.  (I have no affiliation with them, other than I buy it off the shelf for my own use.)  I'm wondering if by changing your finishing product is how you correct the unwanted smell.

   I've used both their varnish oil and linseed oil/wax products.  The aroma is fairly apparent for a few days, lessens over a couple weeks, then is pretty much gone after a month.  It does like to have contact with air while it dries out, so take any opportunity to open doors or drawers.  The smell is fairly pleasant, and has no chemical characteristics. 

   By no means am I knocking Watco and the like (even though it sounds like I am!), but I've given mine to the county haz-mat recycling center.  It's just my personal style of finishing to use Tried and True when I want oil.   Here's their weblink, if you'd like.

   http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/

   Cheers,

   Seth

6. 
   Gretchen | Jul 02, 2004 04:01pm | #6

   I would wipe it down with mineral spirits to possibly remove all you can. Then several coats of shellac.  Wax will contaminate anything you put in it, as well as rubbing off on it.

   Gretchen
7. 
   BG | Jul 05, 2004 02:56am | #7

   sawdust04,

   Picking up on Gretchen's idea, here is something I'll share.  I'm trying to remove some motor oil (light) from some maple.  The book suggested I wash it down with lacquer thinner and then scrub with an ammonia wash (one cup ammonia to 4 cups of water)...wipe off and let dry.  It working fairly well for my issue.
8. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 05, 2004 03:49am | #8

   Years ago my grandfather told me to never finish the inside of an enclosure that would contain cloth, clothing or open foodstuffs. At that time, almost all finishes were oil based and the odor would last almost forever and could not be effectively covered up. Much old furniture is not finished on the inside.

   That rule today should be not to use any oil based finish inside drawers or enclosures. Use only shellac or a waterborne finish.

   Shellac can sometimes cover up the odor but it is frequently not totally effective in my experience.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Biscardi | Jul 06, 2004 05:33am | #9

   I did the inside compartment of a slant top desk with poly mixed with turpentine and oil. It is almost always closed. The smell is sort of nice, I think

   Frank