[Woodcarver] finishing question

[Joe Dillett]

I am right now getting near finishing a drinking cup for my son for
Christmas, basswood Mug with a custom crest on it. All hand carved, no lathe
work, got it shaped nicely. Details are coming along well. would like
advice on what type of finish to use on this mug. It will mainly be 
decorative
but I want him to be able to drink from it on special occasions. Not every 
day
but once in a while. What type of finish should I use inside the mug?

Maura carvin' in nyc
http://www.carvinginNYC.com
http://www.picturetrail.com/carvinginnyc

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Hi Marua,

There are several problems with using wood for food products among them 
safety, sterilizing, the food staining the wood, the wood adding unwanted 
tastes to the food, etc..

Basswood is not a great smelling wood. If you place a basswood board over a 
cup of hot coffee the coffee takes on a very unpleasant taste of basswood. 
So I assume that any food product coming in contact with basswood will 
change the taste.

Salad Bowl Oil or other oils do not seal the wood completely so I'm thinking 
some taste will come through. If you can't find a glass, plastic or 
something else to use for a liner I'm thinking that a food safe polyurethane 
varnish might hold up through a few years of use providing it is hand washed 
and dried.

General Finishes http://www.generalfinishes.com in New Berlin, Wisconsin 
makes a product called SEALACELL which is a wipe on Tung Oil and Urethane 
sealer. They advertise it as a tough as polyurethane and non-toxic after 
drying. It is non-toxic to use for food products but I would allow about a 
week for drying. It's a 2-part process. I put one base coat and 2 top coats. 
It is also recommended for bar tops and floors. Quite durable.

Actually I think that most urethanes are non-toxic but unless advertised as 
such I wouldn't recommend using them for food products.

As much as I recommend General Finishes products you might think that I'm 
connected with the company. I have no connection other than frequent calls 
to their helpful sales engineers asking recommendations.


Joe Dillett
The Carving Shop
645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3
Somonauk, IL. 60552
(815) 498-9290 phone
(815) 498-9249 fax
http://www.thecarvingshop.com
jdillett at thecarvingshop.com
http://www.carvingmagazine.com Carving Magazine web site and Readers Forum
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Magazine.
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