Aust cedar finish?

[hmckid]

I have an Aust (red) cedar coat and hat rack which I have sanded/cleaned back to the raw timber (it wasn't painted or coated etc originally). I would like to apply a coating that will bring up and retain the colour. Any suggestions? Thanks

[JB]

Shellac and beeswax, both available from most hardware stores. Easy to apply, pleasant to use, reversible , maintainable, natural non-plasticy appearance.

If anyone suggests any kind of oil finish bear in mind that this could considerably darken the cedar and is very hard to remove.

[hmckid]

Thanks Rusty - Always good to get a reply when you're an apprentice! Having now consulted A Polishers Handbook, it says (page 68) to give the timber a couple of weak coats of shellac and then apply the wax - I take it this is what you mean?

Hugh

[JB]

Yeah that's right. Mix your shellac quite thin, almost watery, and apply three to six coats depending on how full a finish you want. Sand very lighhtly between coats, then wax.