09-03-2008, 12:43 AM
Some form of butcher-block oil (a mineral oil) comes to mind first...
My second choice would be a THIN application of a polyurethane finish... I don't know for a fact about any flavors, etc, with a poly finish, but it would be a durable one if applied thin.
Tung/Linseed oils would almost certainly impart a flavor or chemistry to things, as they are "non drying" finishes.
First things first; make sure everything is CLEAN, and sand down the wood... maybe even use a weak bleach solution (with plenty of rinsing afterwards) to help clean things up.
How are you planning on treating the metal?
My second choice would be a THIN application of a polyurethane finish... I don't know for a fact about any flavors, etc, with a poly finish, but it would be a durable one if applied thin.
Tung/Linseed oils would almost certainly impart a flavor or chemistry to things, as they are "non drying" finishes.
First things first; make sure everything is CLEAN, and sand down the wood... maybe even use a weak bleach solution (with plenty of rinsing afterwards) to help clean things up.
How are you planning on treating the metal?