drawer boxes - finish coat or none?

[jkristia]

I have just finished 6 drawer for my daughters room, and now I can't decided if I should give them a finish coat or not. The drawers are made of poplar and will have a painted MDF front.

What would you recommend, leave it untreated or give it a coat of shellac ?

edit - oops, cant edit the subject, it should of course say 'finish coat or none'

Jesper

[pelligrini]

I think a quick coat of shellac would be in order.

[cabinetman]

I would finish the drawers inside and out with a waterbased polyurethane. It dries fast, hard, and has no odor.
.

[chopnhack]

Same as C-man said, I have had good luck with General Finishes Polyurethane. Being waterbased though it can raise the grain a bit and then require you to sand. If your not interested in that or the drawers are already assembled, as pelligrini said, shellac. Don't use lacquer if you don't have the time to let it air out and absolutely no varnish Make sure you do the underside too.

[atgcpaul]

I have just finished 6 drawer for my daughters room, and now I can't decided if I should give them a finish coat or not. The drawers are made of poplar and will have a painted MDF front.

What would you recommend, leave it untreated or give it a coat of shellac ?

edit - oops, cant edit the subject, it should of course say 'finish coat or none'

Jesper

I'm going through the same thing now. I like to finish the drawers with
shellac because it gives the wood a smoother finish inside. Nothing can snag
on loose wood fibers. It's definitely not necessary, though.

[jkristia]

Thanks all. I will give it a coat of shellac then.

Jesper