How should I finish kitchen drawer boxes?

[ccochran]

Hello,

I'd appreciate some advice on how I should finish some new drawer boxes I'm building out of 5/8" Baltic birch plywood. After doing a little research I've discovered that using an oil based product would be bad due to the outgasing that would last for a very long time in the enclosed area. So I'm leaning towards a water based poly from Minwax or maybe a Shellac.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
-Colin

 

[lambeater]

Hi Colin, just building drawer boxes for my bathroom vanity. Usually I use general finishes Enduro-var. Water based and dries super hard. Can be brushed or sprayed.

thx
Lambeater

 

[gkaiseril]

A lot might depend upon how you store the items in the drawers and how long you let them cure. If you use liners and organizers then there should be little or no contact with the finish. But if one does not buffer/isolate the food utensils from the finish then a good ply finish that is food safe or approved for child toys should be sufficient. The longer the finish has to cure the harder and safer the finish should be.

I like liners and organizer boxes because they can removed and cleaned on a regular basis a lot easier than cleaning the drawers and shelves. Spills and crumbs should be cleaned up as soon as practicable because they can be a good breeding ground for bacteria and germs or attract unwanted vermin.

 

[mastercabman]

Lacquer would be fine
If you can get it,a per cat is what I would use
you can also get a waterborne version
If you only have a few drawers,you can use Deft aerosol can.I get great result with it
But I wouldn't use shelac

 

[Scott B.]

We've done alot of them using sanding sealer and Zar Ultramax.

 

[ccochran]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'll research those.

Another question I have is: when is the most efficient time during assembly to finish the boxes? 1) Before anything is assembled, 2) once everything is assembled, 3) somewhere in the middle? I figured at least I should finish the drawer bottoms before inserting them into the side grooves. I'm sure someone has done this thousands of times and determined a best known method...

Thoughts?

-C

 

[Paul G]

Hi Colin, just building drawer boxes for my bathroom vanity. Usually I use general finishes Enduro-var. Water based and dries super hard. Can be brushed or sprayed.

thx
Lambeater

Ditto on General Finishes

 

[lambeater]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'll research those.

Another question I have is: when is the most efficient time during assembly to finish the boxes? 1) Before anything is assembled, 2) once everything is assembled, 3) somewhere in the middle? I figured at least I should finish the drawer bottoms before inserting them into the side grooves. I'm sure someone has done this thousands of times and determined a best known method...

Thoughts?

-C

For me I just usually make the boxes but leave out bottoms. Spray boxes and bottoms then when all done slide in bottoms.

Lambeater

 

[mastercabman]

Thanks for the recommendations guys, I'll research those.

Another question I have is: when is the most efficient time during assembly to finish the boxes? 1) Before anything is assembled, 2) once everything is assembled, 3) somewhere in the middle? I figured at least I should finish the drawer bottoms before inserting them into the side grooves. I'm sure someone has done this thousands of times and determined a best known method...

Thoughts?

-C

Finishing parts first is a good idea
You can lay the parts flat
That way you can thin/add retarders so that it will dry really nice
Once you are done you can put it together
If you need to you can do touch up after assembly

 

[builderbob]

Hi Colin, just building drawer boxes for my bathroom vanity. Usually I use general finishes Enduro-var. Water based and dries super hard. Can be brushed or sprayed.

thx
Lambeater

+1 I use the same and have great luck. I've also used some aerosol spray lacquer in a quick hurry!

 

[ccochran]

Thanks for the advice

 

[JPF Woodworking]

If you are using tandem under mount drawer slides the bottoms need to be installed during the assembly (read: cannot be slid in from the back). I am assuming of course that you fit your drawers and install the hardware before you apply the finish. I use pre-finished plywood (maple) for my drawer bottoms and a water based poly from SW for the boxes (hardwood, generally a brown maple). General's Endro is excellent but a bit pricey ($90+ per gallon) and would be over kill for drawers IMHO.

 

[ccochran]

I finished the drawers with Minwax water-based poly and I liked the the way it turned out quite a bit -- feels durable. Thanks for the advice guys.