What finish to use for a barnwood sailor’s chest
I’ve just completed a sailor’s chest in barnwood. The boards are quite planed down so no original exterior is left but there’s still plenty of “character”. It’s going to be used as a toy chest for a 5 year old and I’m wondering if it should have a finish. Ordinarily of course any project would, but this looks good now, will get beat up, and I don’t want this to look too “pretty”. Any thoughts about the need to put a finish on and if so, what?
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I think you could leave it raw. Sounds VERY cool. Is the wood smooth/sanded? If so it wouldn't be difficult to wipe on a varnish finish. If you wipe it down with mineral spirits you will see how the wood will change some with a clear finish like varnish. You might like that even better. But if left raw, it will also oxidize and darken. One problem leaving it raw would be if something gets spilled on it it may really stain it--even a water mark. A finish will at least seal it so it could be cleaned up.
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