I'm curious if anyone has experience using an oil finish, like Danish oil, for a tea box and if that can lead to the tea absorbing any smell. Danish oil is my usual choice, but I'm open to using polyurethane if oil does pose an issue. Thanks!
4 Answers
For a tea box that isn’t subject to heavy use, I’d recommend trying shellac. It dries quickly and is food safe, unlike some poly finishes that may take weeks to cure.
I used Danish oil for my first tea boxes, and while it did take quite a while to cure, it eventually worked out fine in the end.
Yeah, I think if you're planning to gift it soon, a finish smell might not be received well by true tea connoisseurs. Satin polyurethane might be a better bet, although Danish oil does enhance the walnut beautifully.
All oil finishes will release some gases until they're fully cured, which varies based on the specific oil and environmental conditions. Once the finish has cured, the smell should no longer be a problem.
It's generally a good idea to leave the insides of boxes and drawers unfinished to keep from affecting the contents. Display boxes are an exception, though.
Exactly! Plus, even water-based poly can still give off VOCs during that curing period.