I am building a 3 drawer dresser and am using a varnish, tongue oil turpentine finish. I have been told whatever finish you use on the outside you should also use on the inside,but I think the smell would get into the clothing. Any suggestions? should I seal the drawer slides inside the drawer etc?
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Let me state a rule of finishing that is true. Never use an oil based or oil finish on the inside of a carcase or drawers that will contain cloth, clothing or open food items. Oil based finish off-gas almost forever and the odor will permeate cloth and foodstuffs. Use a waterborne or a shellac.
It's perfectly acceptable to leave the interior unfinished. Most commercial furniture and antiques are unfinished.
You can satisfy any overwhelming urge to finish the inside drawer surfaces by spraying a shellac sealer such as Zinsser, and then cutting it back with scotchbrite pad.....Drawers are usually left naked on the inside surfaces.
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