I got this whiskey barrel lid last fall. As I got it out to work on it recently, I saw the $20 price tag and thought “huh”? Surely I didn’t pay that for this barrel lid. I looked back at my recent finds post to see the real deal. FOUR dollars folks! No wonder I couldn’t pass it up. 
The Cabin Still Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey barrel lid is from 1961! It was very weathered and definitely needed some TLC.
The barrel lid needed a good cleaning, but I also knew that by dampening the wood, I would see how the burnt emblem would look after sealing it. Now you can make out the name a little better Stitzel and Weller Distillery.
The pieces of the barrel lid were taped with duct tape. Now you can see the price. This really made me nervous that I had spent too much on it.
I cut some stakes off to size and screwed them into the back of the barrel lid.
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I used Minwax Polycrylic to seal, protect and darken the lettering on the whiskey lid. I applied the sealer with a cheap chip brush .
Aren't you loving how it turned out? I wish some of it showed up better, but hey! it’s old!
Check another project off the list! I wish I wouldn’t put stuff off for so long. I wonder what the vendor will think when it lands back at Vendors’ Village?
gail
Amy
I got a lid and gonna make a sign out of it. There's a charred side to it what can I do to seal that if I wanted to make that the front side of the lid? Wax, polym or does it have to be sanded off?
Gail Wilson
Amy,
If it's charred, is it black? It's really a personal preference. If the charred wood comes off on your hands, you may want to sand it back a little. Maybe you could start by hand sanding it so you don't remove too much of the patina ???
You could seal it. I don't think it would be easy to make very many kinds of sign on top of Poly. But you could try wax. I think paint would work over wax, but probably not vinyl. I don't think it would adhere very well.
good luck, have fun!!!
gail
Warren
If you want to keep some of the flaking from the charring on there, you can start with a very light coat of deep pour epoxy. And very light brush strokes to spread it out or let it self level
Angie @Knick of Time
I keep hoping to find an old whiskey barrel lid from Hiram Walker. My dad worked there when I was a kid, but I haven't had any luck yet. I love how you revived yours Gail.
Gail Wilson
ohhh, that would be awesome Angie! I wish you lots of luck finding what you're looking for!
gail
Julie@followyourheartwoodworking
Cool! I thought you were going to sand it off and paint over it, LOL. So glad you left the lovely lettering and just made it look better. I'm sure someone will love to have it... and for more than $4!
Gail Wilson
I agree with you Julie. I think it will find a home with a bourbon whiskey fan very soon. 🙂
gail