Finish for Drying Rack

[mikeg]

Hi folks,

I'm making a clothes drying rack for the LOML. The little cheapo one she has now appears to be unfinished. I'm thinking of leaving the one I'm making unfinished as well.

What do you all think? Should I go with my first impulse, or should I finish it? If so, what should I use? Wet clothes would be put on it all the time. I don't want anything to bleed onto the clothes.

thanks in advance.
mikeg

[GeekMom]

Only an opinion, but I would at least put a coat of poly on it. We had a towel rack in the home where I grew up that was an unfinished wooden dowel. Black mildew streaks are SO unattractive! I replaced it with one that had been finished (about 25 years ago) and it still looks nice. If you're putting the effort into making it, make it last!

[drumpriest]

According to David Marks, the appropriate finish would be a polyurethane gel. I would do 3 coats, it dries fast, should be able to do that in a day. Let it cure for a bit beofre using it.

[WayneJ]

How about Minwax Helmsman, its a spray varnish in a rattle can made for marine use.(oops no rattle in that can)
Wayne

[drumpriest]

Yeah, or any marine spar varnish, dunno about toxicity after cure. Poly once cured is just fine, though it'll take up to a month to really cure.