As I suggested this be a topic here rather than be lost to the chat... here is a quick transcript of a conversation on the topic... please feel free to chime in with what all y'all do or comment on something already said.
Jen : I buy the unpainted boxes, hubby builds the lids the way I like them, then I take them up to a place where they are wax dipped.
All of my wooden ware is wax dipped now.
iddee : Wax is good, but I like eco wood better.
https://beezneedz.com/product/eco-wood-treatment/Gypsi: I'm too lazy for any fancy wood treatments. I'll just repaint
Jen : Hi Gypsy, there is a place about an hour from where i live that has a big vat of melted very hot beeswax and parafin. All my woodenware is dipped one time and that lasts a lifetime. I'm not at all good with keeping up the paint.
iddee : Check out the link above. Eco-wood can be dipped or painted on, and lasts for many years.
LazyBkpr : Hmmmmm........ 5 gal of mix, wouldnt be enough to actually DIP... To DIP i would need at least ten gallons, and then.... is the rest wasted, how long does it last? can I cover it and RE DIP stuff all summer or.....
Maybe PAINT it on thickly instead of dipping???
Is it watery or thick? IDEEEEEEEE WE NEED ANSWERS!!!!!
iddee : 2 gallon will be deep enough to dip one side or end. Then rotate the box. Thin, like water. Paint it on thinly. It don't take a lot. It soaks, not covers.
https://ecowoodtreatment.com/Jen : I like the ecowood idea. Actually I was mistaken. What my woodenware is dipped in is beeswax and wood pitch.
The hot solution actually bakes into into the wood grain. It looks natural too.
Zweefer : this whole conversation should be a post.
iddee : Still waiting for you to copy/paste and start a post. You are admin........