PREP & FINISH FOOD-SAFER FINISHES Picking the right finish is more about watching the clock.

By Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk

hanks to writers and editors Finding a food-safe fi nish is easy; fi nishes aren’t (like me), woodworkers worry fi nding one that looks good and smells even on the list. Mineral Tabout “food-safe” fi nishes OK within a tight time frame (or won’t oil is sold in drug stores as a laxative. more than poolside moms fret about knock you out when working in a Wax and shellac are used to coat certain kids snarfi ng down chicken salad small basement shop) is trickier. The foods and medicines.) sandwiches then diving into the deep following information about oil and end. To address this matter, let me start fi lm fi nishes, and the accompanying Oils are thin, but off by making one point loud and clear: chart, will help you fi nd the right defend from within All drying oils and varnishes sold for balance between ease of application, The advantage to oil fi nishes is that they fi nishing wood are non-toxic and food protection, good looks, and curing sink in. In addition to enhancing the safe when fully cured. time. Use it all to pick the best fi nish look of the wood, oils provide decent At this point, we could leave the next for your next project. water and stain protection as long as page blank for you to sketch your next the surface receives regular care and project. However, there’s a second, often Fine print and the FDA feeding. Luckily, this is an easy wipe on/ overlooked, point that you can’t ignore, Want to know the facts? Oils, varnishes, wipe off affair. when you give a well-crafted wood gift and oil paints all contain metal driers Mineral oil doesn’t dry, but because and watch the recipient’s nose crinkle in order to cure. These driers appear it’s easy to apply and odorless, it’s a the second they unwrap the box: Some on an approved product list drafted by favorite for butcher-block countertops, fi nishes take a lot longer than others to the FDA. So-called “food-safe” fi nishes cutting boards, and other projects become fully cured and food safe. use the same driers as those that don’t fi nished the night before. Many While trace amounts of fi nish or put “food-safe” on the can. woodworkers like mixing it with solvent don’t pose a serious health risk, While most fi nishes have not been beeswax for additional stain-fi ghting the smell can ruin the taste of certain tested for food contact (that stamp resistance and to give surfaces an extra foods. This “smell-factor” is almost requires pricey per-batch purity testing) glow. Natural polymerizing, or drying as important for non-food related because they all use materials from the oils, such as tung and walnut, perform projects such as pens, jewelry boxes, same list, they’re just as safe for food better, but these natural products and blanket chests, where you don’t contact as those that claim “food-safe” require about two weeks to cure. Until want any lingering solvent odor. on the label. (Some of the “safest” they do, you’ll need to put up with a distinctively nutty aroma. “When you can’t smell the fi nish, the fi nish is safe.” Salad bowl fi nishes are the food- It’s a good rule of thumb, but not entirely accurate. What smells “safe” for one minded entry in the oil/varnish category. person may still stink to another. Also, heat can release solvent many weeks after Like the rest, they provide some of the the piece passed the initial sniff test. To be safe, allow extra curing time whenever color enhancement afforded by oils,

possible, or select a faster-drying fi nish. coupled with a protective varnish fi lm. PHOTOS: CHAD MCCLUNG

66 WOODCRAFT MAGAZINE O CT /N OV 2 0 0 8 For blocking bacteria, your choice While these thin fi lm fi nishes cure of wood is almost as important as tabletops, for instance, where folks quickly, you’ll still need to provide some your fi nish. To prevent microbes might forgo the coaster. curing time. If you can’t give it at least from getting a toehold, stick with Lacquer outperforms shellac, but tight-grained, ring-diffuse woods, a week, you might want to consider ALERT TIP such as maple, beech, or cherry. you’ll need to fi ght the fumes during mineral oil if the piece will see regular the fi nishing process. It’s also prone to food contact, or shellac if you’re looking breadboxes, but less suitable for cutting scratches, making it less suitable for for a nice shine. boards that might see knife action and pieces that might see heavier use. then be rinsed in the sink. In the fi lm-fi nish arena, Films protect the Shellac may not seem as tough as polyurethane is king. However, while perimeter some other fi nishes, but in our tests, fast-drying polys might feel dry in a Film fi nishes provide better surface fresh-mixed shellac provided slightly few hours, curing takes longer. It can protection, but are more likely to chip, better moisture and stain resistance take weeks for the solvent to work peel, or crack, allowing water and than mineral and tung oil. The only through a multi-coat fi nish. So if you’re other potential stains to fi nd a direct downside is its alcohol solubility. While planning to apply more than a light path to unprotected wood. For that perfect for drawers and furniture, spray coat, apply this fi nish before reason, fi lms might be fi ne for knife or shellac isn’t recommended for use on starting on other last-minute gifts.

FOOD-SAFE FINISH CHART

Finish Mineral Oil and 100% Tung Oil Salad Bowl & Shellac Lacquer Polyurethane Wax Oil/Varnish Blends Type OIL OIL OIL/FILM FILM FILM FILM Application Wipe on, buff Wipe on, wipe off. Wipe on, wipe off Brush or spray. Brush or Brush or off. excess. Repeat. spray. spray. Appearance Low luster. Low luster. Can Low luster. Can Hardly visible to Clear and Amber and appear blotchy on appear blotchy on super shiny. shiny. shiny. woods like maple some woods. and cherry. Odor Mineral oil Mildly nutty Solventy Quasi-sweet Super- Solventy is odorless. (mineral spirits) (alcohol) solventy (mineral Beeswax (lacquer spirits) smells nice. thinner) Curing Time Never 30 days 2 weeks 3 days 3-5 days 30 days Smell the Finish? Trace wax 1-2 weeks* 1-2 weeks* Less than 1 Less than 1 2 weeks* scent remains. week week Water Resistance Good (when Good Very good Fair (Dewaxed Very good Excellent freshly applied) (depends on fi lm and fresh fl akes thickness) work best.) Alcohol Good Good Very good Luster lost, Very good Excellent Resistance (some staining) (some staining) (no staining) but no staining (Red wine, 2 (Don’t expect hours of contact) the same success with vodka.) Notes Quick and Polymerizing Oil adds color Good, but not Tougher than Top-ranking easy, but (curing) oil. Some while fi lm provides tough enough shellac, but protection but needs regular fi lm build-up. protection. Film for regular food can chip and also longest renewal. Needs regular may be built up contact. is easy to curing time. renewal. for added sheen. scratch.

*Finished items such as plates, trays, and spatulas may release solvent from beneath the fi nish when exposed to high heat.

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