Replies

1. 
   CStanford_ | Feb 28, 2001 02:40am | #1

   *
   Shellac would be your safest bet. Waxes are fine after the solvents evaporate - less than one day (really in a few hours).

1. 
   Gretchen_ | Feb 28, 2001 02:48am | #2

   *Shellac might not be very satisfactory if indeed the little one chews on it and it gets wet. The varnish will be child-safe once it is cured. I'm not sure I would wax it. AND let's not forget--CONGRATULATIONS!

1. 
   CStanford_ | Feb 28, 2001 06:59pm | #3

   *Confectioners use shellac as a gloss coating on some candy. Choice is yours. I've heard that metallic dryers added to canned varnishes can become encapsulated in the finish and never completely evaporate. Be careful.

1. 
   Dave_Arbuckle | Feb 28, 2001 07:46pm | #4

   *If Mom is going to use Mr. Clean or PineSol or some other ammonia based cleaner on the crib, shellac is a bad choice. Alkalis damage it easily. (there is also another liquid commonly associated with babies that contains ammonia ;-)).Finishes sold in the U.S. are required to be "non-toxic" once cured. This is an offshoot of the Act that banned lead paint, I'm told. I'm sure that there is a difference between non-toxic and edible, and I would guess that it has to do with the amount ingested.As such, I would go rather lightly with the finish. You have a good amount of time for a full cure. I agree with Mr. Stanford on the wax, common ones at least are no sweat.Congratulations, times two. Once for the new child, once for finishing before Mom did. ;-)Dave

1. 
   Bob_Berner | Feb 28, 2001 08:24pm | #5

   *I concur with Dave's statements above and I think that Gretchen's comment about shellac was directed more to the shellac not holding up well to being chewed on and soaked in saliva rather than harming the little bundle of joy. Congratulations!!Bob

2. 
   Gretchen_ | Feb 28, 2001 10:08pm | #6

   *You are correct--it will just get messed up. And indeed shellac is edible--used for the coatings of capsules. I am under the impression that all paints and varnishes at this point in time are child safe when fully cured.

3. 
   Sharp_ | Mar 16, 2001 11:03pm | #7

   *Yes you should be concerned about the toxicity, both for midnight chomping AND the fumes during application. There's an all-natural product on the market called Livos that you should check out at http://www.livos.com CONGRATS!

4. 
   Ken_Sorenson | Jun 06, 2001 11:49pm | #8

   *What type of finish should I use on a cutting board?

5. 
   Gretchen_ | Jun 07, 2001 02:32pm | #9

   *Use mineral oil. ANY other type of oil will turn rancid and gummy. If it is a board that is going to be in continuous use you can leave it unfinished. If it is a totally decorative "cutting" board that will never be used for cutting finish it with varnish.