Shopsmith Forums

With kids, possible bathroom moisture content and the desire for low maintenance, and kids and of course kids...what would your reccommendations be for a finish on a project like this?

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Now I really like those. How about doing a sketch up with dimensions? Santa might really kind a few dozen of those.

Wow - those look great! I'd really love to see plans for those as well. What type of wood? The wood itself looks great, so I'd definitely be going with something clear and since you want moisture protection and durability, seems like a clear polyurethane would be the way to go but I'm interested what others suggest as well.

Spar varnish would be a good choice because it's flexible, but if moisture can get into the wood beneath the finish, you'll have problems with it (or anything else) because the moisture will cause the finish to peel and flake. You'd get better protection by finishing the parts before assembly to prevent water from causing problems, and then giving them another coat after assembly. If they're just getting a little damp, there should be no problem. Another option would be to leave the stools/chairs unfinished. White oak, cypress, cedar, and mahogany would be good choices if left unfinished.

beeg wrote:I think I'd go with an oil finish. I'd be afraid that with a poly finish it wood be slippery in the humid bathroom.

Good point

I used butcher block oil for my spoons ect.Is that what you mean?

mrhart wrote:I used butcher block oil for my spoons ect.Is that what you mean?

For butcher block I've always used mineral oil, as it's a food grade finish. I presume by oil finish he was referring to something like a Danish Oil Finish:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=17684

How about linseed oil, or walnut oil?

Both are "drying" oils, and soak in and harden. Flaxseed oil, (basically linseed oil, except it's food grade, and a LOT more expensive) will work, too.

I use walnut oil on my cast iron cookware, because it dries easily.

steve

I'd go with Teak Oil - the stuff they use on teak decks of wooden boats. It's the perfect finish if you want a water resistant finish that is not slippery. Teak oil is primarily a mixture of marine spar varnish, linseed oil and turpentine, sometimes pine tar, plus driers.