Finishing drawers
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
I have never seen an antique drawer that had finish applied to it. They are usually nasty looking as a result.
I always apply shellac to drawers. One coat Zinsser, sand, 2nd coat Zinsser thinned 1:1. The result looks good and smells good. There is a lingering ester odor I find delightful.
I like to incorporate "heirloom" wood when I can. The drawer bottoms are western cedar. My daughter's previous house had a sizable porch held aloft with 3- 4 x 6 x 16' western cedar posts. And they had started to decay at ground level. Shortly after she bought it I replace these posts with 6 x 6 yellow pine. I have since resawed drawer bottoms for her furniture from these posts. Just have one small piece left. Lots of drawers.
