Dewald Swanepoel Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 I used some of the off cuts from my recent workbench build to make my son a stacking tower. Much to my delight he totally loves it (picture attached) I'm still deciding whether I should paint it bright colours or whether I should just give it a lick of varnish of sorts. I'm leaning towards the latter just because all of his toys are outrageously bright colours, I think it might be a good idea to give him some wooden toys that actually looks like wood. Either way, I know these days people get very nervous about the lead content of paint and what nots. I've made him a toy airplane from MDF before and found paint that is specifically lead free. Is there some kind of varnish that is also suitable for kids or is this only a concern with coloured paint? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Any salad bowl finish will work, and not be dangerous! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatworks Today Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Bees wax and/or mineral oil are tried and true (basically what's referred to as a salad bowl finish). Personally once the little ones are past the teething stage I'm comfortable using most hard finishes for durability. Once cured there is no longer a danger imo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Shellac is often used as a food coating. But don't eat it, especially thinned with denatured alcohol! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 I'm partial to the shellac option with the caveat to make sure it's cured well before turning it loose. And as mentioned, most finishes, once they've cured, are reasonably safe. It's all a question of your own cringe factor. Finally, it's highly unlikely you'll find lead in any modern finishes. I'm not saying it's impossible, just highly unlikely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Important to know the OP is in S'Africa. Might impact the lead discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Important to know the OP is in S'Africa. Might impact the lead discussion. I knew that. You're still not likely to find lead content in finishes ... if that's your point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 I have seen reports of Chinese finishes containing lead still and being imported into countries in that general region. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Byrdie Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Like I said, not impossible ... Funny because I was going to add to my previous post that China is the one place you're still likely to find lead as a component in paint but didn't think I would need to. Most advanced countries have recognized the risk and phased it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Isn't the lead issue pretty much limited to pigmented finishes, such as paint? I've never heard of a clear finish that contains lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dewald Swanepoel Posted August 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 Isn't the lead issue pretty much limited to pigmented finishes, such as paint? I've never heard of a clear finish that contains lead. Yeah, I was also curious about that. I had to ask but I also seem to think that the only lead-related concerns I've ever known people to have related to pigmented paints. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 My friends generally leave toddlers unfinished although I'm partial to a thick film finish like Duct Tape. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 My friends generally leave toddlers unfinished although I'm partial to a thick film finish like Duct Tape. Or hand cuffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Smith Posted September 30, 2014 Report Share Posted September 30, 2014 It looks like plywood, so I'd be more concerned with what was used to glue the plies together if it's relly getting chewed on a bunch. Mineral oil will make it look decent and last forever. I like shellac, but not very durable against spit/water. Unless you are mixing your own using strong drinkable alcohol I wouldn't bother. Something like a white blonde lacquer finish might be interesting, but takes a bit of experimentation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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