A crib finish

Last crib I built I used a toy makers clear finish from Rockler.

-- Gary, DeKalb Texas

I have used water based poly

Huck, why not look up the www on the major paint manufacturere you are bound to get something there.

-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python

I go with poly it’s tough and safe.Alistair

-- excuse my typing as I have a form of parkinsons disease

Another option that might want to consider is shellac. It will give you a nice sheen, it will protect the surface of the wood and the only toxic element is the denatured alcohol which evaporates within minutes.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

you can really go with anything. non of the clear finishes today are toxic… WHEN CURED... but you need to make sure that they are cured.

I agree with teenagewoodworker. After a lengthy discussion on kitchen safe finishes, it was determined that most all clear finishes are non toxic, only the solution used to dissolve them is toxic until it evaporates. So when they are fully cured, what is left is non-toxic. So what you’re looking for is something that will cure rather quickly. I really don’t think you’ll find anything that will fully cure in less than 7 days. Dry, yes, but not fully cured. Now, is the new baby going to be chewing on the thing right away, probably not, so I would say you’re safe with just about any clear finish as long as you give it time to dry, which a couple of days should be good. Even if the cure time is 30 days, I doubt a 1 month old will be gnawing on it by then either. Shellac would be my preference, since is does dry rather quickly and you can build up a couple of coats in a short period of time. Just make sure you give yourself at least 12-16 hours, preferably 24 hours, after the first coat before applying more coats, which can be applied within 45 minutes.

-- - In the end, everything will be okay. If it isn't okay, it isn't the end yet.

Over thirty years ago, I used lacquer on the crib I built for my kids. No problems ( well except the green hair—-at least what was left of it, the purple teeth, webbed toes, etc.)

Seriously, it didn’t seem to be a problem, although my kids never really chewed on the crib like some. I think others are right obout the cured finishes, but I would check with manufacturers to be sure. You can’t be too careful these days with lawsuits like they are. That and kids are way too important to take chances. Good question. It probably needed to be addressed.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

i know a toy maker who uses walnut oil on his toys for children..it can be re applied as needed…but just a suggestion.

-- The Grizzone

I used the water based nitrocellouose sealer and lacquer from Valspar.

http://www.valsparwood.com/valsparwood/products/premLacquer.jsp

Made a fantastic finish. http://lumberjocks.com/projects/6524

-- Bob Clark, Tool Collector and Sawdust Maker

Old Frank always said shellac was made from the lac bug and was harmless even dry. So like taww said I’d go with shellac. A couple good coats and let it dry good. There you go. Nice finish.

-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com

I would go with a water base poly.

-- CJIII Future cabinetmaker

Shellac or natural oil finish, walnut, etc. is what I’ve used in the past for little ones. I read years ago that anything food safe was best for baby’s cribs. You can always go to Michael Dresdner’s sight and ask the guru himself.

-- Elaine, Conover, NC