[MR] A & S question - finishing wood

[David Chessler]

At 05:57 PM 12/2/2007, MilisandiauxorBran wrote:
>Does anyone have any suggestions on how to finish a painted wooden 
>object in a non-toxic way that would make it safe to eat on and 
>possibly waterproof it?

Already painted? That's a possible problem. What do you know of the 
old paint? Paint before about 1980 in the US (a bit early in Europe) 
may contain lead.

Paint will waterproof wood as well as anything. Additional coats of 
paint will seal in lead in the old paint, so long as the new paint 
does not chip or crack(that's how lead-painted walls in good 
condition can be sealed, though more vigorous methods are usually 
used). But modern latex paint over old enamel paint will often crack.

So first decide whether the project is feasible. Then look for food 
grade paints (possibly National Sanitary Foundation certification 
NSF, which is used for commercial kitchens), or paints suitable for 
baby furniture (which can be expected to be chewed). These will be 
labeled, and a paint dealer can help you.

--

Davitt il Bigollo da Pisa
Procurator parumper aurifex in Portus Liburni
Officina pro Moghul terra
Curalium quod Smaragdi ex Indicum quod Serenus