What finish should I use?

Here is the typical FB response to this question, including some that are particularly bad and the non-answer, "that's pretty".   All we're missing is "what would you charge for that?"

Woodworking For Beginners

Darrell M Sack  · 14h  · 

Hey folks. I’m in the process of making cedar boxes for Xmas gifts. What would you suggest for a finish for these?

(picture of a 6x6x6 cedar box)

All reactions:



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Danish oil

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Osmo PolyX oil

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My choice for this would be Minwax Tung Oil Finish, which is not really an oil, but combines the properties of an oil and a hard finish. You'll want s little dent protection for cedar.

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Simple finish. https://makerbrandco.com/

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Osmo

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So pretty

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Tung oil looks good on cedar, maybe leave the inside raw to help with that cedar smell.

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Most likely a great option (General Finishes' Hard Wax Oil)

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Test shellac, polyurethane, or mineral oil on a scrap piece and see what you like best. There's other finishes out there as well. Nice looking boxes.

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No varnish or similar, only oil or wax

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50/50 blend of BLO and mineral spirits. Give it a few days to cure, lightly sand and then buff it out with paste wax.

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I prefer to leave cedar bare if it's aromatic. Otherwise, Oil based poly

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I would do Minwax water base wood conditioner then a Minwax finish . This will keep the cedars natural look, the oils always turns the cedar dark. Do only the outside.

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Bees wax and olive oil is a nice finish if you have a little tiny slow cooker

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I love it!

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Nothing on inside. Used Minwax paste wax on outside.

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Nice work! I’d use a mini wax oil as well.

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Mineral oil is great option and keep on cedar aromatic smell.