I am repairing a cedar chest. I have built a new top for it, and I am wondering about the color. Do I need to wait for the color to change before I finish it? After milling it has a purplish color. If I finish it with a clear finish will it oxidize?? Thanks, Ben Phillips
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Eastern Aromatic Cedar comes in lots of colors and hues. Some of the colors change with time, some don't.
The main thing to know about that species is that oil based paints and clear finishes can not be applied over it. The oils in the wood will interfere with the curing of oil based finishes. You need to apply a coat or two of shellac before applying an oil based finish. If you clear coat will be a waterborne or a poly varnish, your shellac must be the dewaxed type like Zinsser Sealcoat.
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