Child Safe Clear Finish for Crib

[captkirk]

I’m not familiar with the toxicity of clear finishes (or any finished for that matter) and would like some advice on clear finishes for a Walnut and Maple crib I’ll be building in anticipation of my first grandchild.

 

[rmhinden]

One possibility is a finish used for cutting boards, like food grade mineral oil and Beeswax.

Bob

 

[captkirk]

One possibility is a finish used for cutting boards, like food grade mineral oil and Beeswax.

Bob

Thank you Bob!

 

[dltflt]

This is what I used on my grandson’s crib.

 

[captkirk]

This is what I used on my grandson’s crib.

Thanks Don!

What was your experience with dry time. I live in Florida which is a to put it mildly, humid environment and I’ll have to pack and ship the crib so I’m concerned about residual tackiness. I see it says on the label that it’s not for humid rooms. I love the looks of the product otherwise.

 

[AstroKeith]

I too would recommend a Hard Wax Oil. In the UK we have Fiddes and Osmo. I've used both on furniture, toys, floors, kitchen tables and work surfaces. No problems with humidity. Doing time for the first coat can be 4-6 hours, the second much quicker. I'd be happy to pack and ship within 12-24 hrs. Unlike poly varnishes I've never had any sticking.

 

[captkirk]

I too would recommend a Hard Wax Oil. In the UK we have Fiddes and Osmo. I've used both on furniture, toys, floors, kitchen tables and work surfaces. No problems with humidity. Doing time for the first coat can be 4-6 hours, the second much quicker. I'd be happy to pack and ship within 12-24 hrs. Unlike poly varnishes I've never had any sticking.

Thank you for your advice, very helpful sir !

 

[scbucc]

For another option, General Finishes water-based topcoat isn't bad.  I just used it for a small bed.  Its clear, and the flat/matte finish is pretty nice. 

 

[dltflt]

This is what I used on my grandson’s crib.

Thanks Don!

What was your experience with dry time. I live in Florida which is a to put it mildly, humid environment and I’ll have to pack and ship the crib so I’m concerned about residual tackiness. I see it says on the label that it’s not for humid rooms. I love the looks of the product otherwise.

It took a couple of days here in Arizona. I would guess a week in Florida. I will attach a pic of the crib. It is a thick liquid.

 

[Getmaverick]

I would use Rubio Monocoat. It is plant based with no VOC. I use this on most of my furniture I build and sell.

 

[BarneyD]

I've built three cribs for the grand-kids. All finished with good old shellac which when dry is approved for human consumption. It's even used on some pills. Very safe.

Cheers,

 

[Stone Message]

I agree with Shellac but most Osmo is food-safe and easy to retouch after a mishap !!

Peter

 

[captkirk]

This is what I used on my grandson’s crib.

Thanks Don!

What was your experience with dry time. I live in Florida which is a to put it mildly, humid environment and I’ll have to pack and ship the crib so I’m concerned about residual tackiness. I see it says on the label that it’s not for humid rooms. I love the looks of the product otherwise.

It took a couple of days here in Arizona. I would guess a week in Florida. I will attach a pic of the crib. It is a thick liquid.

That’s a really nice job Don. Thank you for sharing a photo. What did you use for bolts? I see a couple of them on the face.

 

[captkirk]

I would use Rubio Monocoat. It is plant based with no VOC. I use this on most of my furniture I build and sell.

Thank you sir! I’ve heard good things about Monocoat.

 

[captkirk]

I've built three cribs for the grand-kids. All finished with good old shellac which when dry is approved for human consumption. It's even used on some pills. Very safe.

Cheers,

Thank me BarneyD. I hadn’t considered shellac but I’m going to test some out as a sample and see how it goes.

 

[captkirk]

I agree with Shellac but most Osmo is food-safe and easy to retouch after a mishap !!

Peter

I purchased some Oslo today so I can try it out. Thank you!

 

[captkirk]

For another option, General Finishes water-based topcoat isn't bad.  I just used it for a small bed.  Its clear, and the flat/matte finish is pretty nice.

I’m going to check them out. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[dltflt]

This is what I used on my grandson’s crib.

Thanks Don!

What was your experience with dry time. I live in Florida which is a to put it mildly, humid environment and I’ll have to pack and ship the crib so I’m concerned about residual tackiness. I see it says on the label that it’s not for humid rooms. I love the looks of the product otherwise.

It took a couple of days here in Arizona. I would guess a week in Florida. I will attach a pic of the crib. It is a thick liquid.

That’s a really nice job Don. Thank you for sharing a photo. What did you use for bolts? I see a couple of them on the face.

Thanks. I bought a kit from Wood magazine.

 

[Packard]

Shellac is child safe.  In fact the "glaze" that they put on candy like M & Ms is made from shellac.  It is not as durable as other finishes, but can be refreshed easily and it dries very fast.  I would put down three or four coats. 

 

[mrFinpgh]

As I understand it, modern clear finishes are safe once cured.  I think the only one I would have considerations about would be epoxy.

Obviously, don't let the child apply the finish - many of them aren't good for you to breathe or consume while in their liquid forms.

Some 'green' suggestions:

1. Hardwax oil such as Osmo, Fiddes, Livos, Rubio, Festool's product.  Depending on where you are some may be easier or harder to obtain.  The part b for Rubio does have isocyanates in it but I would guess the % is low.  i don't think the others do.
2. Polymerized oils like Tried and True varnish oil - linseed oil and resin w/o the drying agents used in typical oil products.  This can take some work to apply (a little more than HW oils). Smells nice and is actually fairly protective when dry.