Expert: Jamie Yocono - 11/3/2008

Question
I'm finishing a cradle for my new son and have decided to go with a tinted Danish Oil (Watco).  I'm on a budget these days and used poplar.  My question is this:  How long do you suppose I should wait before letting the little one lie in it.  He won't be directly on the wood, but can certainly reach out and touch the sides at times.  I know that Danish oils contain quite natural ingredients, but with it being tinted I don't know just how safe it is.  Thanks for the info.

Josh

Answer
Josh,

You probably want to think about two things - first, you'll want the finish to cure, so that if the little one decides to suck on a spindle, there won't be anything that can happen. Curing renders the finish non-toxic, and takes anywhere from 3 days to a week, depending on the humidity in your area.   

Another thing to definitely think about is the odor that Watco puts off,  and it can be nasty. It will go away in time, but in the beginning, it's fairly strong. On a piece like a chair, you don't really notice it, but when Watco is applied inside a drawer, where it isn't really open to the air, the drawer can smell for a long time. I've had to actually air out some drawers to get rid of the smell.

Anyway, I would recommend that you oil this piece and then let it sit out in the open for a week or two. That way, the finish will cure and and the odor can dissipate, too.

Sounds like a nice project, sure to become a hand-me-down. Cool, Josh, good for you. Good luck oiling the piece.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com