Preemtive Finishing Questions

[Larry Beyer]

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These questions are preemptive so as to avoid last minute finishing problems like I had on the last cabinet I built; sort of getting started on the right foot.
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So…I will soon be building a kitchen wastebasket “barn” cabinet. The cabinet will house a kitchen wastebasket, and have a drawer and tray bay isolated from the wastebasket. The interior of the cabinet will require wipedown cleaning and the wastebasket bay may require washdown. The top will be at counter height and serve as additional countertop.
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I intend to finish the outside of the cabinet with 3 coats clear polyurethane because of the durability of the product.. I will also finish the wastebasket bay the same as the outside.
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I have the following questions:
What do I use for a finish inside the drawer and tray storage so the inside is cleanable but does not smell of the finishing product??
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Should I finish the top the same as the doors or should it have a “special extra” finish? If so, what do you recommend??

Thanx in advance for your response
Larry Beyer

[Todd Burch]

Hi Larry. I would use cabinet liner. It's a plastic laminate product (aka Formica, citing a specific brand), but thinner. Since it won't get the wear that a typical countertop will get, going with the thinner material is just fine. It's what I use in the bottom of my trash bins.

http://burchwoodusa.com/miscpix/Remodel/trash_pullout.html

Todd