Wood Finishes - A Quick Guide - Varnish / Stain / Oil / Wax / Lacquer / Polyurethane / Shellac

A quick guide to wood finishes - what to use, and when to use them. In this video I cover stain / dye, oil, varnish, shellac, polyurethane, wax and lacquer.
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Here are some affiliate links to finishes I recommend (if you click and buy, I make a few pennies from Amazon).
BRIWAX
Briwax Clear (UK Amazon) geni.us/zQfx5
Briwax Clear (US Amazon) geni.us/nG5yR
Briwax Rustic Pine (UK Amazon) geni.us/wwWzeZy
Briwax RusticPine (US Amazon) geni.us/iXZppE
Briwax Medium Brown (UK Amazon) geni.us/89dWW0
Briwax Light Brown (US Amazon) geni.us/HfPMlOR
BOILED LINSEED OIL
Boiled Linseed Oil (UK Amazon) geni.us/1njSs8m
Boiled Linseed Oil (US Amazon) geni.us/aU6o4gO
DANISH OIL
Danish Oil (UK Amazon) geni.us/mQitiXZ
Danish Oil (US Amazon) geni.us/QZKtBUU
POLYURETHANE
Blackfriar 250ml Clear Satin Polyurethane (UK Amazon) geni.us/61wp
Blackfriar 1L Clear Satin Polyurethane (UK Amazon) geni.us/nwomZUr
Ronseal 250ml Clear Gloss Polyurethane (UK Amazon) geni.us/3YSAcQ
Blackfriar 1L Clear Gloss Polyurethane (UK Amazon) geni.us/4LwghP
Rust-Oleum 1/2 pint Interior Clear Water Based Polyurethane (US Amazon) geni.us/RVp2Auk
Minwax 1/2 pint Polyurethane Gloss (US Amazon) geni.us/FGHFF
Minwax 1/2 pint Polyurethane Satin (US Amazon) geni.us/IbFQ6vF
SPRAY LACQUER
Clear Matt Spray Lacquer (UK Amazon) geni.us/CtNK
Clear Gloss Spray Lacquer (UK Amazon) geni.us/cIlIOp
Clear Gloss Spray Lacquer (US Amazon) geni.us/xTB48
VARNISH
Johnstones Quick Drying Interior Clear Satin Varnish 250ml (UK Amazon) geni.us/HFz1
Johnstones Quick Drying Interior Clear Satin Varnish 750ml (UK Amazon) geni.us/fwgf
Ronseal Interior Clear Gloss Varnish 250ml (UK Amazon) geni.us/3YSAcQ
Rustin's Exterior Yacht Varnish 250ml (UK Amazon) geni.us/mYFh
Everbuild Exterior Yacht Varnish 750ml (UK Amazon) geni.us/XcWPwXr
Rust-Oleum Marine Spar Varnish 1 Quart (US Amazon) geni.us/oy1W0E
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For links to the tools I use, plus some of my favourite consumables, finishes and more see links below. As an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.
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[@tigerjonn]

I love how quick, to the point and full of information this was... Not some 5 minute life story with each subject...

[@blasko88]

Totally agree! Thank you for this excellent video

[@johnzapata8707]

@@blasko88 uy

[@omegashae9769]

I completely agree

[@chaplainmattsanders4884]

😂

[@teddybear1829]

I honestly love a video where it explains it to me like I’m dumb , it’s exactly what I need haha

[@mauriceestelle4619]

Same

[@sissy021]

That's me, I'm dumb.

[@richard102879]

Very informative video. No awful background music. You were quick and to-the-point yet you were still able to provide a clear, understandable and in-depth explanation. You didn't try to sell me anything and most importantly you didn't waste my time. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. KZbin could use a lot more like you

[@darkspeed62]

Agreed. I subscribed after the first video I watched of his, which was a similar advice video as this about hand planers.

[@grimjoe7992]

Not a minute was wasted in this video, every seconds is all about helpfull information and no other things, specially for a newboe like me. Thanks for these enlightenment🤓

[@mikecozzi1040]

This Gentleman knows what he is talking about! One of the Best discussions, I have seen on KZbin! I have over 45 years experience in the trade of historic restoration and finishing and done seminars and lectures. There is much more to understanding each finishing product mentioned. Thanks for reading the comments and good luck with your projects! Have a Wonderful Day!

[@DCW96161]

Wow! Straight to the point. No 20 minutes of "unboxing" or throat clearing.

[@wadepatton2433]

Well done. I hate wading though the crap videos of youtube to find the good ones, but here we are. You've made a good round-up of finishes. Thanks.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

+Wade Patton thanks Wade

[@Luxine108]

Ha, Wade hates wading!

[@wadepatton2433]

@@Luxine108 Oh I like wading to fish and such, but dislike wading through "crap" most all the time. KZbin or otherwise.

[@drgoyal]

100% agree

[@sanramondublin]

three thanks. Best info and KNOWLEDGE in 6 minutes . I truly appreciate. God, I wish everybody was like you. 70 years old Irani from North California March 2019.

[@theopiner402]

I think you did well, I certainly have a better understanding of finishes than I did before.

[@brentcraigpeters]

Thank you for putting in the time to make and publish this detailed, constantly-progressing, and succinct guide to wood finishes.

[@FJD333]

Thank you. This just answered a lot of questions, with great clarity.

[@drgoyal]

This was excellent. Great overview. Done in a concise and easy to understand way. Added so much good information without making it an hour long. Great job!!

[@dikisinger5585]

Thank you for such a worthwhile and educational video about taking care of wooden products. I can listen to you all day...lovely accent!

[@1978Caceres]

This is one of the most informative, detailed and complete explanations I have ever seen on any topic. Thank you!

[@mariah4451]

I'm new to wood finishing and came across this video after watching many others. this is by far the best and most informative. I'll be watching this many more times. Thanks. :-)

[@mayr1463]

This was incredibly helpful and just what I was looking for! I'm revamping our bannister and I've been at a complete loss - this video really helped me figure out what to use to get the look I wanted - Thank you!

[@sanjaymistryy]

Brilliantly clear and comprehensive without wasting time on pointless chat. One of the most useful vids I've seen!

[@epjarvis1285]

Unbelievably helpful. Quick info without useless info. I'm so happy I found this video.

[@kilohotel]

Thank you so much. That was exactly the help I needed. Clear and precise. I'm finishing a Mid Century teak desk and didn't want it to turn out high gloss, so I now know to use oil then wax. Thanks again.

[@julianhecker944]

This has been splendid, I wish more videos on KZbin were of this style with lots of useful information! I feel like I have learned a significant amount.

[@larryrizzo736]

You're discussion of wood finishes was very complete and very concise. It helped a lot.

[@davidwhite6581]

Dude you rock. Thank you so much for making this video. Ive been researching these things online for weeks. I learned more in this short vid than all the weeks of reading watching and talking to people.

[@Sunflower-op2oc]

Thanks for making this video. It’s pretty basic stuff that I didn’t know and trying to find a straight forward comparison explanation is harder than one would think. Thanks again! 🙂

[@Nativtexan2]

Very useful information. Thank you for taking the time to do this!

[@chigozie123]

Amazing video. Very informative for deciding between polyurethane stain and oil

[@magnoliablanche]

Thank you for the thorough run down of all the different wood finishing products!

[@kerrmcclure5787]

The most concise informative video I’ve ever watched.

[@aconinja8668]

I know it would be a pain but to have a comparison of each of these side by side would be amazing. Great work👍

[@lhtsnakes1]

This is absolutely what I was looking for, thank you!

[@johnford7624]

What a beautifully done book kzbin.infoUgkxo4aMFkUegBx-KHPIJlfwKPHu7kQXAR9N ! The text and the photographs are brilliant. It is thorough and genuinely informative. Joseph Truini got another winner! No one does it better! Love the Cape Cod Shed with the Blue door!

[@MessoverOG]

Very helpful. I was literally running out to the store and wanted quick advise. Thank you for keeping it to the point and simple. I truly appreciate it.

[@robertrumbaugh1730]

This really helped me as I am refinishing some boat parts and needed to know about the amount of protection and the changes in color respectively with the use of the various wood products. Thanks so much! Bob

[@mariar6733]

Exactly what I was looking for. Short, simple, comprehensive and correct. Thank you.

[@thomaskleven8314]

Very informative, I will be rewatching when deciding on clear coats for different projects, thank you!

[@joannahead7622]

This is very educational, thank you for the interesting videos. I was in the process of staining my staircase, after ripping off the dingy carpeting that was on it. I didn't really know what I was doing, but I did know what I wanted. Thank goodness I came across your videos. They are so easy to follow and I learned exactly what I needed to complete my staircase to look professional instead of what probably would have looked like a half finished attempt at my desired goal. I look forward to more such videos as my next project is to paint my stained kitchen cupboards white.

[@yavark2134]

Nailed it! Absolutely to the point, short and efficient bombardment of information.👍

[@davidnleeh4]

Thank you for taking the time to post this video & prepare the information!!! It was a lot of information! 👍👍

[@teofunn]

Great job on explaining the difference between random finishing techniques. Very helpful guide (specially for a beginning woodworker like myself). Thanks!

[@laurencefegan1875]

Superb! I wanted to find out the best finish for some of the woodcarvings I have been doing over the past couple of years - and now I have - courtesy of this no-nonsense, straight to the point video! Thank you!

[@Art-is-craft]

Wood carvings look best when the are not glossy looking.

[@laurencefegan1875]

@@Art-is-craft Thanks for that, I think a light stain is the most I would try?

[@Art-is-craft]

@@laurencefegan1875 There are stains and finishes that have no gloss or extreme colours.

[@alienmoondudes8071]

This is exactly what I needed. Not knowing about all of these finishes was intimidating at first for a starting wood worker. Thanks for making this video !

[@jsmithnz8933]

Thank you. You just answered all my questions in one simple to understand video. I am restoring a very old oak dining table and chairs that my grandfather made and I was unsure what to finish it with. Oil and wax for the win. Thanks again.

[@barismavis]

Thanks mate, that's what i am looking for, quick and easy guide :)

[@maggiehemming7904]

This is brilliant! It's explained the differing properties and applications clearly and concisely. Thankyou so much😊

[@Sycatrax]

Woodworking newbie here: fantastic, helpful video - cheers

[@wholeNwon]

Well-organized, factual presentation using declarative English sentences. So many other presenters could learn from you. Thank you.

[@PeterFloyd678]

You said that you don't know much about the different finishes but that was one of the best informative videos that I have seen in a while. Very informative and direct to the point. Keep up the great work!

[@jumondehtweh7324]

Thank you so much for making this short, relevant, and easy to understand!

[@EhsanZaeryMoghaddam]

The best summary of wood finishes. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks :)

[@sierrahotel6754]

I have been searching for this information. Books, web sites, other videos...............yours is by far the most informative. great job

[@K3LLY.13]

This video was UNBELIEVABLY helpful to me!! thank you so much!!! trying to finish a pine picture frame and was feeling so overwhelmed with all the options

[@jimgirtman3136]

So appreciate his knowledge and ability to convey it.

[@shadowman7408]

Thank you so much for making this video, information online was just a clustermess. You gave great in depth information and I can now start working on projects.

[@monelisaalexra4341]

Great video.. easy fast and helpful ....well done

[@scottsmith4145]

Outstanding. Thank you! This is now my go to reference on wood finishing!

[@TheClintmeister]

Best video on "coatings" I have found. Very informative.

[@NWAAII]

EXCELLENT OVERVIEW...I’m a neophyte with this but your explanations and comparisons brought me up to speed INSTANTLY. I took screen snaps of each breakdown, and put my new knowledge to work this evening by varnishing a bare wood coatrack and wheelbarrow handles. Thanks!

[@cosplaymemories1487]

Quick to the point and full of a lot of information/knowledge. That's what I like! Thank's man!

[@narayanagrao1]

Tht was the best explanation by any individual I heard for any question I have seen on utube

[@Orcrist]

This has been immensely helpful!

[@cyprussphil2299]

Nice one, I'm just getting started on woodworking, n have been trying to figure out what finishes do what! then u post this :-D perfect, thanx dude, u rock :-D

[@tylernagle-perkins4668]

Hugely helpful video for people like me who are pretty new to finishes for woodworking. Thanks!

[@zx1701]

What a great video! Thanks for taking the time to do this!

[@gadgetude]

Clear and concise! Thanks for this easy to understand summary and for not wasting my time!

[@51seluj]

For someone who said they're not an expert.. You know a remarkable amount about all of the finishes! You didn't use any unnecessary words either, thanks for the very informative video 👍

[@themainthing3966]

superb review of the basics of wood applications!

[@jilukes]

Very informative video! Love the screen captions and clear summary of each option. Thank you!

[@user-sh5bk8hc3l]

Extremely helpful and straight to the point great video!

[@paulportoloive]

Perfect video for some facts I was in need of, hats off to the chef.....

[@beri232]

Most helpful video I found while looking how to care for my new table. Thank you for this.

[@jdmarr2259]

Wow, THANK YOU for this no frills, no stories, no b.s. & definitely very informative video. I have learned a lot & the running hamster wheel of wood confusion in my noggin has finally come to a halt!!!

[@garlandthompson5970]

This was SO helpful! A thousand thanks for this amazing video!

[@MyGio7]

the best video about wood finishing!!!!!!!! congratulations!!!!!!!

[@valentino7902]

This clears things up nicely. Thanks for your help!

[@jord5151]

Just getting into upcycling furniture and this video is so informative and helpful! Thank you very much!

[@sebastienseb7673]

Now I know everything about wood finish! Thanks mate!

[@lath0039]

This video is extremely helpful! Thank you for such a comprehensive list.

[@joshbraz1772]

Excellent video. Quick and simple

[@conorpodonoghue]

Excellent video. Comprehensive and to the point. Thank you.

[@davidgoodwin6522]

Great video, well presented, full of information, to the point, a good lesson to other makers of videos.

[@rebeccagittoes1693]

This was exactly what I needed to know, thank you. Very informative, out over clearly and so helpful!

[@garyhiggins4315]

Thanks for a basic questions answered video!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@AndreasInGreer]

Great and concise explanations. Now I need to transcribe this into a quick reference cheat sheet for the future!

[@derrickp2628]

Great video man!!!!! Informative yet direct and straight to the point.

[@2icelollys1goat]

Fantastic video.... in both presentation and detail. Your knowledge-sharing is greatly appreciated

[@johnpattinson1961]

Best explanation I’ve seen, well done

[@harrymay7384]

All killer no filler most informative video i've seen thank you!

[@RR-ok4wz]

Loved it! This was perfect and to the point, and answered all my basic questions. Thank you!

[@jant7061]

Just the information I needed. Thank you from a fellow Norfolk Dumpling.

[@misskim2058]

Thank you! That cleared up various questions I had, all in one concise video! Yea!

[@hobbestuna]

This was excellent, I watched standing at the hardware store and you answered all my questions very quickly!

[@max_497]

Very helpful and straight to the point 👍

[@mjcbryan]

Being new to wood finishing i cannot believe how many different options there is!!

[@uneti463]

literally everything i meeded to know in 5 minutes!! God bless you sir 🙌🏻

[@allisonjoel1]

Great video. You answered all questions that I had regarding finding the right finish to put on my kitchen cupboards. Thank you for sharing.

[@nettienoodle20]

Excellent video. Clear and concise. Very helpful, thank you.

[@byluinterioranddiys]

Wow this is the best quick simple informative video on KZbin thank you 🙏🏼

[@siegeism]

Just found this April 2021 and made my day,.Straightforward, concise and so easy to understand. I found a perfect Ikea shelving unit that had been "colored" and I want to match the color and no idea if it's wax, varnish, stain or what. Now I got it. Thanks muchly.

[@barstad-9591]

Excellent information presented in the most comprehensive and understandable way compared with all the other finishing videos on KZbin. Thank you very much!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks!

[@felixreali7101]

great video. finishing is not as easy as it sounds and this really helps.

[@papasmatersbackyardfarming8439]

Excellent over view, very helpful. Thank you.