Choosing the Right Wood Finish for your Project

[@danwinter13053]

This was one of the most helpful videos ever. I’ve saved it for future reference.

[@sarahscussel8565]

This was the most helpful resource for finishes I've found in the 3+ months I've been researching finishes. Thank you!

[@09959467]

Wow! I’m so glad you made a comment about wood that would be outside and NOT using polyurethane on it!!! Thank you!!! I’m making/donating an outdoor sign for a Scout Camp and am an artist but a true novice with wood! So glad your advice really helped!!

[@janetlukehart5048]

After watching multiple staining and finishing videos, your information is concise and easy to understand. I feel more confident about why to chose and use a particular product. Thank you!

[@robhales5521]

Thanks for the video dude. I've watched like 10 of these and yours makes the most sense to me.

[@mikeswan1970]

General Finishes SHOULD sponsor you. I went to them because of our videos.

[@cesarantoniocancinorueda1036]

man, your video is great, you are a very helpful, easy to the ear professional wood expert! didn't got bored at all and i listen the entire video, twice! keep the passion on your work, i just subscribed to your channel!! wojou!

[@weberwoodshop]

I totally agree... I’ve been using General Finishes for years and love it. The wood blackening is something I’ve been trying to figure out lately so that was great. Awesome breakdown.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Blake! That wood black is so nice. You’ll love it!!

[@BruceAUlrich]

I've never used anything by General Finishes (pretty pricey), but this and what you are saying is convincing me to give it a try.

[@40redfox40]

That was awesome! Seriously, I would have had to watch a dozen or more videos to hear all this information on all the different products. Extremely informative, thank you.

[@scottclifford4370]

Fantastic presentation! You did in one video what I just finished watching 10 videos to accomplish. 2 thumbs up!!

[@nickbailey202]

I was going to write exactly this. He succinctly summed up the major categories.

[@homtherobot]

Amazing video, thanks for sharing so much heard-earned wisdom. I will be coming back to reference this regularly. One thing I think should be noted, at 14:20 you mention concern that the salad bowl finish is a petroleum product, but technically mineral oil is too. So everything on that table in this section can be considered a petroleum product, except the shellac 😅I know mineral oil is considered food safe, but knowing it comes from petroleum freaks me out just a little too much, so I prefer fractionated coconut oil (which doesn't go rancid). Walrus Oil sells big jugs of it!

[@heathertempleton9974]

Seriously, the BEST VIDEO I've found explaining these products for the weekend DIY'er. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@CasualBuilds]

Hahaha, that shot of you sunbathing your your two pals, Purple Heart and Cherry!

[@serendipityventures9458]

Extremely informative, thanks, I am just learning about finishes, it's not possible to get these brands in our country but the way you explained I can get alternatives from the market.

[@BYOTools]

Very helpful and loved the video. GF has been my go to and fav for years.

[@honzan_dot_ca]

Amazing trip through (most of) all types of wood finish. Thank you for your video, man.

[@bigdogmn73]

For staining, you should try General Finishes Gel Stain. It's my go-to for pine as you don't need the pre-stain. I also use a foam brush to apply it and a staining pad (from Rockler) to wipe off...comes out perfect!

[@MichaelAlm]

Good to know!!

[@seanparrish7293]

Great video! India ink on oak looks like a great option. thanks!

[@tonyditty3158]

Really good job on this video. I have watched hundreds of videos and never felt compelled to comment but your presentation was great, speed of material covered and the spectrum of material covered was terrific. I particularly liked the section on protecting your lungs. Its so important and seldom mentioned (some guys/gals demonstrate without wearing anything). Keep up the good work.

[@chrisosh9574]

Brilliant! You covered just about everything in 17 minutes, re the wooden sink, make sure the epoxy is a marine quality epoxy like WEST, epoxies are formulated for different jobs, some, like a lot of casting epoxies don't perform as well in a wet environment.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! Yeah, thanks for clarifying on that

[@ghknutson]

Kudos for your fine production values. The only minor nit is in one segment where the audio level changed, but compared to even the best other woodworking sites, this is at the top. (And the content on this was also first-rate!) 😊

[@stevejensen3471]

Hey Mike - great vid! Right on about the GF HP and ARS. One thing you might mention is that the ARS will amber out over time and the HP doesn't as you did mention!

[@dwighthapeman6590]

Michael. Thank you for a concise, thorough and helpful video. You have taught me a lot.

[@MichaelAlm]

Glad to hear it!!

[@chriscalon8913]

Super useful. I was wondering about spoons, and you answered it perfectly. Thanks! This was awesome.

[@thetruthno1]

I am a do it yourselfer, not a pro, but I have had really good results using shellac as an under coat, to bring out he depth and grain, and then topping with arm r seal for durability. I also use shellac under paint as a primer to prevent yellowing of light paints.

[@jaimenahman3889]

Michael, Great video and highly helpful. Thanks so much.

[@JTWoodworks]

Thank you for putting this together. It's very educational and a great resource to reference. Also, glad to see my question made it in. I'll be trowing away my spray lacquer later lol

[@tat2mune]

Super helpful! Thanks for pulling it all out and talking about it! I'm restoring a Teak table that was left outside.

[@EthanCarterDesigns]

So much amazing information in this one, Michael! Definitely saving this for future reference!

[@Lau.j.whitney]

This. Is. So. Useful. Thank you! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by all the options when you’re a diy pleb like me.

[@patriciaschlie6913]

Awesome explanation and exposition of the products, very fun to learn, thanks!

[@telosfd]

I like that RYOBI base drill!

[@roberthoovan4130]

At work, we had a couple of sheets of automotive sandpaper that went up to like 1600. I use that on a piece of cedar one time that was fun.

[@BruceAUlrich]

Lots of great info, Michael! Isn't it funny how many finishes we try out before we find the ones that we really go back to often?

[@titeo8074]

Awesome! Your presentation covers everything that beginners would love to know. I like the food safe part mostly. Thank for all.

[@TomsLife9]

great video. i've already watched it 4 or 5 times and I always pick up a new tidbit each time.

[@parapente725]

De-waxed Shellac: I have found this to be my go to for base finish, it smooths out pours and grain, seals and is a universal base coat accepting many top coats. There are some excellent videos on you tube if you have any questions. Thanks for this video, well done.

[@g1mpster]

Great video, definitely saving this one. When talking about outdoor finishes I was surprised you didn’t mention Spar Varnish at all, but I guess maybe that’s just because you prefer paint for outdoor projects, and perhaps it was lumped under the general “varnish” category. That said, I think Spar Varnish has some unique qualities like giving a very yellow hue to the wood almost immediately. The other outdoor finish I’ve used on recent projects is Total Boat Halcyon. I used this on a custom set of cornhole boards and I was really happy with the application and results. Comes in clear or amber. I chose amber for this because I wanted a somewhat antique look to the finished project and thought the warm tone would complement the family crest that I put on it, along with the white oak that I tinted with medium walnut Danish Oil. It ended up very smooth and seems to be very durable so far. The other thing I liked about the Halcyon is that it goes on very quick. I did 4-5 coats in one day and gave it 2-3 days to fully cure.

[@MichaelAlm]

Interesing! I have only used spar varnish on a few things, and I mostly build furniture, so it’s good to get that info. Thanks!

[@brendarigg6529]

Very informative. Thanks for ALL the helpful tips

[@donbrunodelamancha1927]

I know this an older video, but I was looking for finish tips and I’m very impressed by your channel. So here’s a head scratcher. I’ve built a wood workbench in my garage. I do just about every type of project you can think of on there. What type of Sealant, Hard coat would you suggest for something like a fairly vigorously used work bench Thanks in advance. Amazing channel‼️‼️♥️

[@joevannucci1392]

Thanks for the nice comparison summary. I wanted to comment a bit about my favorite finish - Nitrocellulose lacquer. Though I use much of the same variety that you do, lacquer is my go-to finish for fine wood frames. I think it looks a bit better on close grain woods like cherry and maple, but it can look good on walnut, mahogany, and white ash, too. The key is to use a semi-gloss, and to wet-sand VERY lightly twice. Once after the first two coats (five mins apart), and once after the final two coats. Pay attention to distance and speed with the aerosol and it lays nicely without running or feeling 'sandy'. In my opinion, nothing pops grain and polishes so nicely as lacquer. Not super blonde shellac, not Arm-r-Seal.

[@almedinapetovic]

Amazing. Thanks for so much info.

[@woodworkforgoodwork6393]

Great video! It was informative and easy to remember the details. Very well done! I had a weird thought at the end of your vid, that I really wanted to see a close-up of the pull-out storage boxes in the stacked shelves behind you. I know it sounds odd, but I use those, too, and am planning to do a quick build of an organizer like that one.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thank you! Yeah that organizer shelf is great! I just have a few sheets of 1/4” ply dividers. Might’ve taken me an hour to knock out.

[@stanleyshostak2737]

Great video. Mineral oil is also a petroleum based product. My guess is the salad bowl finish contains mineral oil. I have looked at that stuff before and I gave it a second thought.

[@MichaelAlm]

Good to know

[@JoseOrellana29]

wow, great video. Thanks Mike

[@Lauralaey5]

Thanks for the info,. I learned a lot about finishes.

[@BitterHSweetA]

Great tutorial thanks for sharing with us

[@TomsLife9]

shellac will also melt when exposed to heat (I learned the hard way when I used it to finish a pair of chopsticks) which furthers that it isn't great for utensils or hard-used kitchen items

[@lyudmilkisov4723]

Thanks for the lesson 👍

[@Darkotex]

Great stuff, Michael! Just what I needed.

[@MichaelAlm]

Glad to hear it!

[@CraigularjJoeWoodworks]

I think the finish is the most important part. Selecting an appropriate finish is the key to pieces that last for generations

[@ELCADAROSA]

Michael, this is perhaps the most complete review of finishes I've seen. Thank you. What are your thoughts on sealing & protecting Mahogany or Sapele that'll have a lot of direct sun exposure all year long? ... Your father likes Briwax on everything. Does that include BLTs?

[@CraftsWithEllen]

That was super helpful Michael! Thanks :D

[@kyfore]

Great info and love that you covered so many options. One thing you didn't cover and I didn't see in the comments was Spar Urethane. I know you said no poly on outdoor items but wondered what your opinion on spar was.

[@diggler306]

This was very thorough and I appreciate that! Going to pick up from General Finishes soon!

[@MichaelAlm]

Sure thing! 👍

[@FredMcIntyre]

Very informative, thanks Michael! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks Fred!! Glad to hear it 👊

[@TimGallant]

Have you ever checked out water-based aniline dyes? That's what I'm about to dip into. Because it breaks down much finer than other stains, it has the reputation of much better cross-species coloration consistency.

[@RadicalRootsProject]

After using every imaginable finish on the market, I now use General Finishes EnduroVar almost exclusively (unless I'm wanting a water white finish).

[@evelync.8753]

Great information! Do you have a video on what’s the best paint stripper? Thanks for sharing

[@tomruth9487]

Nice video, have to agree with much of what you say. I have had good luck with Rubio Monocoat for wood countertops. Purple heart is a bad joke.

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks!! I still need to try Rubio. It’s definitely on the list. Purple heart is a real pain

[@jmherbst87]

Great run through! 👍

[@SeanPCowan]

Nice overview. Thank you!

[@rogershaw6269]

Very informative video, I just started making small tables and stools out of black walnut slab wood, i have been using a water based poly for a finish, what would you use to make black walnut pop ?

[@rojer9542]

If you are going to top coat your shellac, Zissner makes a product called Seal Coat which is a 100% dewaxed shellac made specifically for undercoating.

[@BeautyandtheBolt]

Thank you for addressing safety too!!!!

[@gasousman]

Should I put something down on a Walnut butcher block counter top before using Arm-R-Seal, or just use several coats of Arm-R-Seal only? I want as dark a color I can get with Arm-R-Seal.

[@scotschlinger3975]

Great video. I am in the process of making a live edge window sill for the wife. What finish and process would you recommend?

[@wyndgateproperties4731]

What would be your choice of product for sealing white birch plywood walls in a small garage wood workshop that will see heat and cold extremes periodically?

[@winstonpeinado4983]

Hi Michael, great video !! i am installing a pine doors and i want to keep a natural look that doesn’t turn yellow and treat the doors just to protect from stains and regular use. What is my best choice?

[@conceptpla]

This is a very helpful video. Thanks Michael!

[@MichaelAlm]

Glad to hear it!

[@juliakotze2741]

Excellent video, thank you! I would like more information about the Mars black oil paint, though. Does it give the same effect as the India ink (retaining a wood grain look)? And can you add an extra sealer on top of it like a wipe-on poly if you use it on a work surface?

[@motleypixel]

2:56 should we use "de-waxed" shellac?

[@Psilodjan]

Hi Michael, very useful video. What do you recommend for finishing baltic birch plywood to avoid blotchiness and to prevent it from turning orange-ish yellow? Thank you.

[@MichaelAlm]

Water based poly for sure

[@justinwest7765]

Very helpful thanks!

[@clobbyhardy]

Once I started using General Finishes I never looked back. I always thought the price was too much, and it couldn't be worth it, but I was dead wrong. Finishing is my least favorite part, but this stuff wipes on so easy, and looks great.

[@MichaelAlm]

Agreed!

[@drewt3210]

I'm with you there. I was a Waterlox guy, but Matt Cremona convinced me to try Arm R Seal. He was right. I like it a lot! Best, @HoneyOnWales

[@LAWPerry]

Finishing is my *favorite* part! The completion of a project always brings me great joy, and seeing that I’ve put everything together really well, have chosen the right wood, grain, and joining, and it turns out as I envisioned it (or better) makes me smile!

[@scottkennedy5842]

Any suggestion on what to seal a MDF workbench top.

[@MichaelAlm]

Wipe on poly works great!

[@olgapashchenko620]

Could you clarify watering down the acrylic paint? Is there a ratio you could recommend or what consistency is best? Thanks!

[@mel1654]

Very helpful video! I also prefer finishes that do not yellow or darken lighter woods like Maple or Birch. Have you tried Osmo or Bumblechute Bee'nooba wax? If so, did they look more or less like natural wood when compared to General Finishes water based finish?

[@z4nr331]

Great video! Thx! What would you used for an outdoor table made of redwood heart? thank again!

[@pierrelaviolette670]

Thanks, very useful. Information.

[@dokmanian]

great info thank you for someone that has never used topcoat or any kind of sealers I just got a live edge walnut to use on top of my fireplace but don't know how to seal it do you recommend General Finishes arm-r-seal oil based topcoat satin and how many coats thank you

[@Oxblood1987]

FYI Mineral Oil is also a petroleum product. It is a byproduct from crude oil distillation.

[@Tee-Tee37]

Hoping you can help. I sanded my kitchen cabinets to raw wood, used preconditioned then used an oil based stain. Did a practice board and loved it. Did all my cabinet boxes first, still loved it. Then did the drawers and that’s where it all went downhill. The wood grain varies too much from drawer to drawer, and I hate it. It’s a medium tone brown/grey. I don’t want to sand it all down again. I would like to get a dark charcoal or off black look. Do you have any ideas how I can achieve that over an oil based stain? There’s not topcoat only stain. Thank you so much.

[@MichaelAlm]

Hey Tanya, Sorry you've had so much trouble! This is why I hate stains. They can be very temper-mental. You might be able to lightly sand them and apply another coat, or top coat it with a second color. People do layer stains all the time, and the more opaque you go the less the grain difference will show. Good luck!!

[@shirahassidim9681]

Great video, extremely informative! Quick question: If I am making an island countertop out of birch plywood (there is no sink in the countertop) what is the best stain to use (if I decide to stain it) and what is the best top coat or sealer?

[@annaharris9826]

Thoughts on what to use for a top coat for a teenage girls vanity and night stand. I was thinking GF milk paint and GF high performance satin but wondering if maybe the shellac?

[@MarkPrimavera]

Hi Michael, SUPERB video! When I go into the wood finishes department I break out into a cold sweat 😱 and start to shake because of the number of finishes, I was so glad to find this video. I work with Pine a lot and what would you recommend as a exterior and interior finish that will prevent the Pine from darkening? ~Thank Michael!

[@MichaelAlm]

Thanks! Pine is tough. It does like to darken with UV light. Your best bet inside is with water based polyurethane. Outdoors will be a challenge if not impossible to keep a light look. They do make UV protectant outdoor finishes like Thompson’s Water Seal, but you need to apply that yearly to make sure the finish doesn’t break down

[@marcomandra6775]

Any suggestions for finishes on a patterned plywood piece?

[@emostorm7]

Mineral oil is a petroleum product as well

[@lynneftw]

For a Birch butcher block desk that I want to bring out the beauty of the wood grain AND keep it blonde and not yellowed, do you still recommend the water-based satin top coat by itself? How do you apply it, how many coats for a durable finish (sand grit between coats?), and what's the realistic drying time between coats on a soft wood like Birch? Thank you!

[@tolgabasoglu8985]

Hi, I learned a lot, thank you so much for sharing this. I'm also wondering about hard wax as a finish? Have you had any experience with hard wax? Do you suggest it over other finishes? According to what I read, hard wax is go to finish for indoors. As for brands, I think there're three common ones, fiddes, osmo and rubio. In my country I can only find rubio but some people complain about rubio having water stains? Should I go with Rubio or try another finish?

[@SuperOxygenTV]

Great video. New to woodworking. Love working in walnut. Would do you recommend for wood filler?

[@jimboh5131]

Mr. Alm, I sincerely appreciate the time it took to help us all out with all the finishes... excellent work. Being a fan of ink ( India-black ), have you any good/bad experience with different finishes over ink? shellac, water based, spray lacquer, poly? Thanks again.

[@MichaelAlm]

Sure thing, thanks! I usually go with poly for a top coat, but any of those finishes should work fine. The ink might lift a bit with the water-based stuff.

[@jimboh5131]

@@MichaelAlm Thanks for the info.

[@stevekozle7247]

I’d like to hear your thoughts on Seal-A-Cell.

[@Haunold]

Congratulations for the interesting discussion of the surface treatment. As a hobby turner, I am always looking for the perfect surface, and that as an absolute high gloss. I've tried everything, but in the end I always come back to the spray lacquer. This is the only way to achieve the highest gloss. What I'm still missing: the optimal sanding sealer for raw wood, naturally finely sanded. Can you please recommend a sanding sealer that suits my project? Thanks from Austria! Gerhard.

[@sensor-sweep]

i legit love sanding

[@cesarantoniocancinorueda1036]

i do have a question, for a best color natural wood color, is it better Satin or Matte? what will be the different uses for this 2 types?

[@stevenlittlewood4324]

Great video! I’m a beginner. Just finished making end tables of sapele, finished with 5 coats ArmRSeal, wife wants it really waterproof for drink-glass protection. But I dont like the ambering effect, seems like the sapele rich red is now more orange. Is there a way to bring out iridescence, say with shellac, then topcoat with water based poly which is so much less yellowing? Or is there an oil topcoat that doesn’t yellow? I want to make the coffee table out of sapele too! Thanks for the help!

[@momof3blessingsfaithhopelo869]

This is great! I'm currently researching how to redo my dining room table and hutch. My kids have really marked my table up. I'm wanting to stain it the "farmhouse" look. I just am not sure it's solid wood even though I spent a lot on it from Ashley furniture. However I never think it had a good protection bc my kids could just band a fork to hard and scratch it and also their homework from the pencil. Could you please recommend what I should do, sand? Stain? A good heavy duty top coat? I'm just confused bc some say to strip, some sand, but if it's not solid wood the design on top I'm sure will sand away. I just need help lol. Very good video and I think you'd have great advice! Thank you!

[@HB-kp6rl]

Getting some of that arm r seal for a gun stock

[@jessicapark2984]

Great Video!! What's recommended to best use on dinning table top for food safe and kids friendly? Thank you in advanced