Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Jun 10, 2007 05:44am | #1

   mrb,

   This is a common problem with aromatic cedar, and one I have heard about many times. I do not know the why's, but I do know it is caused by the aromatic cedar.

   Best thing to do is strip the underside of the top, and try another finish (maybe shellac).

   Good luck,

   Lee

2. 
   joinerswork | Jun 10, 2007 04:59pm | #2

   mrbird,

   What mapleman said.

   Ray

3. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 10, 2007 06:30pm | #3

   Two of the rules of finishing are: never use an oil based finish inside an enclosure where cloth or clothing items or open food items will be stored and, never use an oil based finish inside an aromatic cedar chest. In the first case, the oil based finish will off-gas almost forever and the odor will permeate any cloth or food. In the second, the chemicals in aromatic cedar that give it its characteristic odor will eat into and soften oil based finishes.

   So the finisher violated both rules and got caught. The answer is to strip off the oil based finish an use something else. Many will use shellac which is impervious to the chemicals in the cedar and will also seal any residual odor from the oil based finish.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Kevin | Jun 10, 2007 08:32pm | #4

   I've never finished aromatic cedar before, but couldn't a person use shellac or vinyl sealer to create an impervious barrier over the cedar oils and then finish on top of that with whatever they wish?

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 10, 2007 11:34pm | #5

   >> couldn't a person use shellac or vinyl sealer to create an impervious barrier over the cedar oils and then finish on top of that with whatever they wishYes, as long as the finish completely sealed the surface and all the nooks and crannies.Howie.........

2. 
   bigdruid | Jun 10, 2007 11:52pm | #6

   You don't want to put any finish over aromatic cedar. Cedar is used for moth repellant and nice aroma. Sealing it takes away these properties.

2. 
   Woodmaster1776 | Jun 11, 2007 08:40pm | #7

   Howard,That brings up another issue...I'm building a couple of outdoor patio tables out of aromatic cedar--using cedar because of its rot resistance to moisture outside. Planned to finish with an oil-base exterior enamel. Am I asking for trouble?Thanks for your help.Bob

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 11, 2007 09:13pm | #8

   Generally you are OK. The problem comes when the fumes are trapped.Howie.........

1. 
   JohnWW | Jun 12, 2007 12:22am | #9

   Actually I think there will be problems over the knots which are loaded with the oils that provide the cedar scent.  I suspect that the oils will bleed through the paint quite easily, certainly staining the paint and possibly softening it.  The oils are aggressive enough that shellac can't be trusted to seal them off.

   John W.

1. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 12, 2007 07:45pm | #10

   >> The oils are aggressive enough that shellac can't be trusted to seal them offYou are probably right. Aromatic cedar is not a good choice for a painted application.Howie.........

4. 
   Wingdoctor | Jun 20, 2007 05:00am | #11

   I used to work for the Lane Furniture Co. in Altivasta, Virginia, that is a maker of cedar chests. We had to be very careful to not have any metal touch the cedar veneer on the interior that had not been sprayed with a sealer. I am not sure now, this experience was from 1967, what the sealer was, but it was a clear, quick drying coat. Drying was in seconds. If metal touched the cedar veneer it would cause a gumming around the metal. We used an aluminum weatherstripping, really, under the top that lined up with the four sides that was supposed to keep the cedar scent in the chest and bugs out.

   My wife still has the Lane Cedar Chest that I bought her before we were married and had delivered to her in Kentucky via Railway Express.

   Also, this wood is called aromatic cedar but it is really a member of the juniper family. See the info at the following link to Wood Zone.com 

   http://www.woodzone.com/woods/cedar.htm

   The specie is Juniperus virginiana, and it is noted there that you cannot use turpentine based finishes.

   I am not sure if this is an answer to the problem as related here, but I thought I would relate my experience and let the true specie of wood be know.  :) :)