I posted this question on Knots, but didn’t get many responses. I am thinking about putting up a wood ceiling in my basement workshop. My plan is to use poplar. Moisture is well-controlled. I was wondering what finish if any to use. I want the ceiling to look good, but with a minimum of sanding,etc. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
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If it is just a ceiling in a work shop why go through all that trouble and expense, 5/8" fireguard gyproc would protect and finish.
Since you asked about poplar, I assume that's what you want, so I'm not suggesting another material.
You could apply an oil finish like "boiled" linseed oil, or Watco to the boards before you put them up. I don't think you'd have to sand first. Might hold dust though, since it is a workshop.
You could spray on shellac after the boards are up--again, sanding wouldn't be that critical because you wouldn't be using a brush or rag that might tend to snag on unsanded wood. (Might be hard to spray "up"--the can might want to just spray propellant and not the finish.)
Varnishing before you put the boards up would chip when you nailed them and would be messy to do after they're up.
wouldn't use linseed oil inside, vapours could fry your brain before the house exploded ..
Lot of furniture and floors have linseed oil on them--your post is the first time I ever heard about worries over linseed inside. Linoleum is made with linseed oil and I believe oil paint had/has it in it. I'd rather breathe vapor from linseed oil than formaldehyde from lots of other products (although many of them have been changed to outgas less or at least something different).