I am planning to make a wooden bowl out of cherry or maple, and am planning to finish the outside with a red lacquer. I need to put a waterproof finish on the inside of the bowl so it will be able to hold water for an indefinite period of time. What is the best finish to use? I know Japanese bowls used for things like miso soup are often lacquered on the inside. Would that be the best approach? What sort of lacquer do they use? Thanks for any advice.
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I don't know for sure what Japanese bowls used, though I suppose it might of been actual lacquer using urushiol resin. Modern nitrocellulose lacquer would not be satisfactory. For a short while you might be able to use epoxy. But nothing will prevent all movement of the wood due to humidity changes. When that happens the epoxy would be likely to crack. Once that happens, moisture will penetrate the wood to a greater extent, the epoxy will be unsightly.
Your example of the Japanese miso bowl, is only a case of the bowl holding soup for a very short period of time. not an indefinate period.
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