"Don S" > wrote in message
om...
> To resurrect an old thread of mine, my press basket is near done and I'm
> considering the coating. We discussed varnish vs "salad bowl" finishes
with
> some sort of consensus on food grade grade finishes although I also get
the
> feeling that a well dried spar varnish would be OK as well.
>
> Here are the new questions for the group:
>
> - the salad bowl varnishes are an oil or mix of oils clearly marked food
> grade that is suppose to dry on, a salad in a bowl is vastly different to
> grape juice - does anyone have an opinion on whether it might impart a
> flavour to the finished wine?

Oils tend to be alcohol soluble. I wouldn't want oil in my wine.

> - my thinking here is that if the oil is a bad decision then I can always
> varnish for next year, I think the varnish will go over just about any
finish,
> thoughts on this one?

Surface preparation for painting or varnishing involves _removing_ oils and
any such contaminants from the surface so that the paint/varnish will stick.
I'd bet you'd find varnish won't stick very well to a surface that had been
oiled - even after sanding - because the oil would have penetrated the wood,
which is quite porous.

IOW, I think you have to decide on a surface treatment now and stick with
it. Just my 2¢ worth.

Tom S