Cedar finish for bathroom item

Chrisgiraffe wrote:
> Hi,
> I've built a small project out of aromatic cedar for use in the
> bathroom. The item is small but will be exposed to random water
> splashes/drops daily. I like the idea of keeping the scent (leaving
> it unfinished) but would trade that feature for the durability of a
> varnish or polish. Is there a middle ground that provides durability
> while maintaining the aroma (maybe BLO, Tung Oil or some mix)? If
> not, is there a best recommended finish for high wear/water
> exposure?

I'd leave it bare. A finish will kill the scent and "random water
splashes/drops daily" really aren't going to hurt it.


--

dadiOH
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Oops. That's supposed to read, "for the durability of a varnish or
poly".

Anyway, thanks in advance for your thoughts.

-Chris

Chrisgiraffe wrote:

> Oh yeah, the reason I used cedar is simply because of the interesting
> color but came to really love the smell while machining it. I don't
> plan on staining the piece.
>
> Any thoughts?

I persume you have a piece of red cedar. Before you do any varnishing,
poly, etc. test it on some scrap pieces. I did some wood burning on
some red cedar that came out great, but as soon as I put a coat of
poly on it I could not see the woodburning anymore. Think of a stained
mahogany but with a very deep red color. you may end up destroying the
beautiful wood grain & color. I even tried about 10 different types of
finishes to see which one would NOT turn it dark... None passed my
test.

Just something to think about

Dave FL

Finish it with Poly and use some of your scrap to create shavings for
a Pot-pourri. You can make fresh ones every now and then.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potpourri

Interesting in Wikipedia, cedar shavings are the first example given
of Pot-pourri.

Also, you could just finish parts of the item. For instance if it is a
trash can, just leave the bottom inside unfinished.

On Nov 1, 9:22 am, Chrisgiraffe <[email protected]> wrote:
> Hi,
> I've built a small project out of aromatic cedar for use in the
> bathroom. The item is small but will be exposed to random water
> splashes/drops daily. I like the idea of keeping the scent (leaving it
> unfinished) but would trade that feature for the durability of a
> varnish or polish. Is there a middle ground that provides durability
> while maintaining the aroma (maybe BLO, Tung Oil or some mix)? If not,
> is there a best recommended finish for high wear/water exposure?
>
> Oh yeah, the reason I used cedar is simply because of the interesting
> color but came to really love the smell while machining it. I don't
> plan on staining the piece.
>
> Any thoughts?

SonomaProducts.com wrote:
> use some of your scrap to create shavings for
> a Pot-pourri.

Not that you have any laying around but you can use an old pair of
stockings to put the shavings/chips into.

Dave FL

"When cows laugh, does milk come out of their nose?"
Sat. Night Live

> Note that bathroom is the location. Lighting a match with the possibility of
> methane gas being present could be explosive.LOLOLO

My parents always kept a box of kitchen matches on the back of the
toilet. I never ever played with the matches but I did conduct a
great many legitmate experiments with burning matches in the privacy
of the bathroom, starting about age five. It's a wonder I didn't burn
the house down. I never knew they made aerosol air fresheners until I
was in college.

DonkeyHody
"God takes care of fools and little children."

You could put on a few coats of poly, and then get a can of cedar fresh
spray scent to spray in there whenever you wanted it.

Charley


"Chrisgiraffe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
> I've built a small project out of aromatic cedar for use in the
> bathroom. The item is small but will be exposed to random water
> splashes/drops daily. I like the idea of keeping the scent (leaving it
> unfinished) but would trade that feature for the durability of a
> varnish or polish. Is there a middle ground that provides durability
> while maintaining the aroma (maybe BLO, Tung Oil or some mix)? If not,
> is there a best recommended finish for high wear/water exposure?
>
> Oh yeah, the reason I used cedar is simply because of the interesting
> color but came to really love the smell while machining it. I don't
> plan on staining the piece.
>
> Any thoughts?
>

I'm thinking that being trapped in a small room for extended periods of time
with the scent of cedar may become annoying.
Even though it might act as a natural room freshener, you might be better
off to light a match.

Kate

"Chrisgiraffe" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Hi,
I've built a small project out of aromatic cedar for use in the
bathroom. The item is small but will be exposed to random water
splashes/drops daily. I like the idea of keeping the scent (leaving it
unfinished) but would trade that feature for the durability of a
varnish or polish. Is there a middle ground that provides durability
while maintaining the aroma (maybe BLO, Tung Oil or some mix)? If not,
is there a best recommended finish for high wear/water exposure?

Oh yeah, the reason I used cedar is simply because of the interesting
color but came to really love the smell while machining it. I don't
plan on staining the piece.

Any thoughts?

> I've built a small project out of aromatic cedar for use in the
> bathroom. The item is small but will be exposed to random water
> splashes/drops daily.
> is there a best recommended finish for high wear/water exposure?

We have a large walk-in shower (6'x6') and I built some corner shelves out
of redwood I recycled from an old deck. I applied four coats of a Spar
urethane on both sides and all edges, then used stainless steel screws to
fasten it to the wall. The shelves are exposed to water daily from soap
dishes, shampoo bottles, etc. and aren't showing any signs of damage after
four years of use.

Spar urethane is available at most home centers and is often recommended
for wet conditions like exterior doors. Spar urethane is supposedly used by
boat builders to protect wood boats, so it should work fine in a bathroom.
:)

Anthony

Note that bathroom is the location. Lighting a match with the possibility of
methane gas being present could be explosive.LOLOLO
"Kate" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm thinking that being trapped in a small room for extended periods of
> time
> with the scent of cedar may become annoying.
> Even though it might act as a natural room freshener, you might be better
> off to light a match.
>
> Kate
>