Aromatic Red Cedar?

[jttheclockman]

Has anyone worked with Aromatic Red Cedar other than made a cedar chest? I have a project I want to use it but want to finish it with something that brings out the color but I would like to keep the scent. Has anyone done something like this and if so what did you use and if you have a photo would be great to see. I had some years ago when I made a box with it but from what I remembered the wood looked dull when done because I never coated it with anything. Thanks in advance.

 

[wood-of-1kind]

I have a Bermuda cedar turned box. My go to finish is tung oil. The smell of cedar is still very evident although the
turned box is well over 30+ years old.

 

[BHuij]

I've made some pens with cedar somewhat recently. They smell delightful while turning and sanding. I think any neutral oil (maybe tung oil) would probably be your best bet if you want to preserve the smell. I finished mine with CA, and that completely stops any of the aromatics in the wood from getting out anymore. Besides smelling nice, it is a beautiful wood though. Easy to work with too.

 

[RDHals]

I've turned a bunch of Cedar. Bowls, boxes, lamps, walking canes. Love to turn it. Turns like butter, and the shop smells great. I've finished with everything from nothing at all, wax, wipe on poly, friction polish, tung oil, shellac. Two things, the scent always fades away and the color changes over time. The red turns into a brown, it takes years for that to happen. The scent will fade rather quickly. Those both will happen regardless of what finish you choose.

 

[Woodchipper]

Have turned a couple of pens. I wipe them with DNA before CA.