I'm currently in the process of building a crib with solid red oak and need to finish it by December. I've done my homework on regulations, ensuring the gaps and height meet safety standards. Initially, I planned to use solid slabs for the back, but now I'm considering switching to red oak cabinetry plywood. I'm looking to finish it with raw linseed oil and shellac, both of which are food safe. Do you think there could be any issues using these finishes with the plywood?
3 Answers
I'd suggest skipping the linseed oil and just using shellac. Linseed oil takes forever to dry, and some varieties can have toxic additives. Shellac is super food safe, even edible, and it dries much quicker!
Your finishes will work great! I've been using a mix of raw linseed oil and beeswax, and I’ve had fantastic results – just like the method Chris Schwarz promotes. I even shellacked over it without any issues. It dries really fast and is food safe. Let me know if you want to try it out; I’d be happy to send you a tin!
Honestly, you might want to reconsider. There are tons of guidelines to follow with cribs, and they only get used temporarily. If you're eager to finish something, I recommend looking into the Ikea Sniglar. It's made of beech, unfinished, and really well put together. We bought one for our baby and it's cute and practical without breaking the bank!
That's a solid point! I recently became a dad too, and I can vouch for how affordable and great that crib is. You can save that money for more important things down the road.