Replies

1. 
   stantheman | Aug 26, 2008 08:23pm | #1

   lostcreek

   my opinion

   if you finish the inside of the chest, you would be sealing in the natural oils and smell which is the whole reason to use cedar to begin with - so no don't finish the inside. 

   I have searched in vain for a finish that works better for cedar than shellac.  I translate "old" in your case to mean dark and satin-y.  I would consider a dark orange or garnet shellac, and dull the final coat with sandpaper or other abrasive pad to remove the gloss. 

   If you choose to use a varnish anyway, I would go with Waterlox - it darkens but not yellow like polyurethane varnish.

1. 
   Cynops | Aug 27, 2008 09:52am | #2

   I've made several solid cedar chests and it does not take long for them to look old without trying. Cedar is very soft and rapidly fades once it sees the sun. Just give it a good tung oil or blond shellac finish and let time do the aging for you. A couple years from now and you will have a vastly better looking chest if you do.