"Josh" wrote in message
oups.com...
BLO or "tung" oil (I put in quotes
because it's almost never truly tung oil despite the name) can really
make the grain pop, but offers essentially no protection whatsoever
from water vapor exchange. Again, probably not a big deal for a
jewelry box. Bleached shellac is by far the most resistant to water
vapor exchange (despite its very poor resistance to water in liquid
form) and looks really good.


Yeah, sure. Bet you can't find where that crock about Tung originated.
Have your state AG go after them for false advertising if you believe it.

Shellac is a poor finish for a jewelry box, given its reaction to alcohol
which may fall on it from spraying various colognes and things, not to
mention the fingerprint possibilities.

The smudge from sanding probably was the dust moving inside the wax -
crayon. Use a good air blast to clear the dust periodically or wipe with
solvent to help the dust along.

I'd go oil-based varnish over a shellac seal, attempting the best of both
worlds. Shellac to keep it from absorbing too much oil, and good alcohol
resistance in the varnish. But that's because I hate spraying lacquer,
which would be a great choice, except if she spilled nail polish remover on
it.