Use this chart to compare finishes based on their appearance, durability and application.
Items marked with a star indicate our most frequently recommended products. In our experience, these products are among the easiest to use, and give consistently good results.
Wipe-On Finishes
When applying wipe-on type products, we recommend using lint-free cotton or Rockler's high-quality Polishing Cloth.
Rockler Shellac KitsCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: It dries very fast and gives you a nice appearance.
APPEARANCE: Best for matching antique finishes. Tinted for different wood tones.
DURABILITY & USAGE: It is not completely water resistant, and it can be brittle.
Sam Maloof's Poly Oil CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Gives a very professional looking, handsome finish yet is relatively easy to use.
APPEARANCE: When used alone, you'll get a satin to semi-gloss finish with good chatoyance. Adds warmth to natural wood color.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good durability. World-renowned furniture maker Sam Maloof uses this in combination with the Sam Maloof Oil/Wax (see below) for his museum-quality tables, rocking chairs, and other furniture.
Sam Maloof's Oil/Wax by RocklerCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: This oils-and- beeswax formula is made to be used in conjunction with Sam Maloof's Poly/Oil finish.
APPEARANCE: Use after applying Sam Maloof's Poly/Oil finish to increase chatoyance and give a rich, semi-gloss appearance.
DURABILITY & USAGE: See above. Oil/Wax formula is recommended for use on furniture that won't be exposed to excessive heat or moisture.
Arm-R-Seal by General FinishesCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Deeply penetrates wood and builds to a highly protective finish.
APPEARANCE: Available in satin, semi-gloss, or gloss.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Excellent. Our most durable wipe-on finish due to the high polyurethane content. Great for kitchen tables and other pieces that need to stand up to heat, moisture, and alcohol.
Minwax Antique Oil FinishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Deep penetrating oil blend for a classic hand-rubbed finish.
APPEARANCE: Produces a low gloss sheen with the recommended 2 - 3 coats.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Intended for use on interior raw or stained wood surfaces. Additional coats may be applied occasionally to maintain like-new appearance.
Tung Oil FinishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: This tung oil blend produces the grain enhancing effect that tung oil finishes are highly prized for.
APPEARANCE: Satin sheen.
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Good durability on interior wood projects. Can be applied to raw or stained wood, or over other Minwax finishes.
Minwax Wipe On PolyCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Voted best value in a wipe on finish by Fine Woodworking Magazine. Combines the beauty of a hand rubbed finish with the toughness of polyurethane.
APPEARANCE: Satin sheen with very light amber cast.
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Good to excellent durability. Easy application and suitable for interior projects like furniture, molding and trim.
Butcher Block OilCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Safe natural penetrating oil finish for butcher blocks, cutting boards, wood utensils, salad bowls and other wood surfaces.
APPEARANCE: Grain-enhancing, flat sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: A completely natural oil that meets all FDA requirements for surfaces that contact food.
General Finishes EF ExtenderCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Specially formulated to for use with General Finishes waterborne wood finishes. Use to increase the drying time of General Finishes top coat finishes.
APPEARANCE: Does not affect the final appearance of the finish when used as directed.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Use EF Extender in hot, dry weather to enhance the leveling properties of GF top coats, or whenever extended drying time is desired.
Tried and True Original Wood FinishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Tried and True Original Wood Finish is a premium oil finish made with 100% natural, plant-derived ingredients. It's FDA approved as non-toxic and nonallergenic.
APPEARANCE: Natural sheen finish.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Excellent durability and this finish will become even more hard and durable as it ages. Safe to use on children's toys, cutting boards, etc.
Rockler's 100% Pure Tung OilCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A 100% natural oil containing no driers or solvents.
APPEARANCE: Flat to satin-sheen finish.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good to very good. Very water-resistant. Use on furniture or any wood object where easy maintenance is desired
General Finishes Salad Bowl FinishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Made to be 100% safe for use on any wood surface that comes into contact with food. Varnish/oil blend.
APPEARANCE: Flat to satin sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good durability. Use on salad bowls, wooden spoons, cutting boards, etc.
Liberon Finishing OilCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A quick drying, low odor blend of high quality oils.
APPEARANCE: Produces a very even soft sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Safe for food preparation areas. Resistant to water, heat, alcohol and food acids.
Behlen Woodturner's FinishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: High gloss wipe on finish designed for small woodturning projects.
APPEARANCE: Ultra high sheen finish designed for turned work.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Wipe on bare wood and polish while your project is still on the lathe for a durable finish.
General Finishes Toy Maker's FinishesCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Safe for use on children's toys and furniture. Applies easily like an oil, yet looks like a varnish.
APPEARANCE: Flat to satin sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good to very good durability. Use on bare wood or stained children's furniture and toys.
Bush-On Finishes
General Finishes PolyAcrylic BlendCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Very fast drying and easy to apply. Easy water clean-up.
APPEARANCE: Available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Virtually clear so it adds almost no color to wood.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good to very good. Use on chairs, dressers, chests, molding and woodwork.
General Finishes EF High Performance Waterbase PolyurethaneCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: "EF" stands for environmentally friendly! Fast-drying. Easy water clean-up.
APPEARANCE: Your choice of satin or gloss. Virtually clear, so it adds almost no color to wood.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Excellent durability. Tough enough for kitchen/dining room tables. Durable enough even for floors!
Minwax Polycrylic Protective FinishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Affordable choice for an all-around clear waterborne finish.
APPEARANCE: Water-clear when dry. Available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Perfect for cabinets, molding and trim. Can be applied over oil-based and water-based stain. Recommended for lighter colored woods and stains.
Rockhard Table Top VarnishCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A "short-oil" varnish formulated for an extra hard and durable finish.
APPEARANCE: High-gloss with an amber cast.
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Superior resistance to moisture, household chemicals and abrasion. Use on table tops or wherever an extra hard finish is desired. For interior use.
Zinsser Bullseye SealCoatCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A clear, premixed 2 pound cut of de-waxed shellac. Can be applied with either a brush or lint-free cloth.
APPEARANCE: On raw wood, 2 to 3 coats will produce a soft velvety sheen. SealCoat is most often used as an undercoat, however.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Use to seal raw wood in preparation for a final finish. Makes an excellent sanding sealer and barrier coat. For interior use.
General Finishes EF Sanding SealerCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: This waterborne sealer sands easily and is designed to seal raw wood, help fill in wood pores, and build up surfaces in preparation for final finishing.
APPEARANCE: Flat - not intended as a final finish.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Great for sealing wood pores prior to final finishing. Stearated for easy sanding and extra surface build. Easy water clean-up.
Spray Finishes
Zinsser Clear Spray ShellacCHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: The classic finish for furniture and other wood surfaces now in convenient aerosol form. Safe and non-toxic, this natural finish enhances grain pattern and produces a soft, deep glow.
APPEARANCE: Soft, velvety sheen after 2 to 3 coats.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good durability. Best for small-scale interior projects where a traditional finish is desired. Also has excellent sealing properties and can be used as a barrier coat under latex and oil paint.
Items marked with a star indicate our most frequently recommended products. In our experience, these products are among the easiest to use, and give consistently good results.
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: It dries very fast and gives you a nice appearance.
APPEARANCE: Best for matching antique finishes. Tinted for different wood tones.
DURABILITY & USAGE: It is not completely water resistant, and it can be brittle.
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Gives a very professional looking, handsome finish yet is relatively easy to use.
APPEARANCE: When used alone, you'll get a satin to semi-gloss finish with good chatoyance. Adds warmth to natural wood color.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good durability. World-renowned furniture maker Sam Maloof uses this in combination with the Sam Maloof Oil/Wax (see below) for his museum-quality tables, rocking chairs, and other furniture.
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: This oils-and- beeswax formula is made to be used in conjunction with Sam Maloof's Poly/Oil finish.
APPEARANCE: Use after applying Sam Maloof's Poly/Oil finish to increase chatoyance and give a rich, semi-gloss appearance.
DURABILITY & USAGE: See above. Oil/Wax formula is recommended for use on furniture that won't be exposed to excessive heat or moisture.
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Deeply penetrates wood and builds to a highly protective finish.
APPEARANCE: Available in satin, semi-gloss, or gloss.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Excellent. Our most durable wipe-on finish due to the high polyurethane content. Great for kitchen tables and other pieces that need to stand up to heat, moisture, and alcohol.
Minwax Antique Oil Finish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Deep penetrating oil blend for a classic hand-rubbed finish.
APPEARANCE: Produces a low gloss sheen with the recommended 2 - 3 coats.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Intended for use on interior raw or stained wood surfaces. Additional coats may be applied occasionally to maintain like-new appearance.
Tung Oil Finish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: This tung oil blend produces the grain enhancing effect that tung oil finishes are highly prized for.
APPEARANCE: Satin sheen.
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Good durability on interior wood projects. Can be applied to raw or stained wood, or over other Minwax finishes.
Minwax Wipe On Poly
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Voted best value in a wipe on finish by Fine Woodworking Magazine. Combines the beauty of a hand rubbed finish with the toughness of polyurethane.
APPEARANCE: Satin sheen with very light amber cast.
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Good to excellent durability. Easy application and suitable for interior projects like furniture, molding and trim.
Butcher Block Oil
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Safe natural penetrating oil finish for butcher blocks, cutting boards, wood utensils, salad bowls and other wood surfaces.
APPEARANCE: Grain-enhancing, flat sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: A completely natural oil that meets all FDA requirements for surfaces that contact food.
General Finishes EF Extender
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Specially formulated to for use with General Finishes waterborne wood finishes. Use to increase the drying time of General Finishes top coat finishes.
APPEARANCE: Does not affect the final appearance of the finish when used as directed.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Use EF Extender in hot, dry weather to enhance the leveling properties of GF top coats, or whenever extended drying time is desired.
Tried and True Original Wood Finish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Tried and True Original Wood Finish is a premium oil finish made with 100% natural, plant-derived ingredients. It's FDA approved as non-toxic and nonallergenic.
APPEARANCE: Natural sheen finish.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Excellent durability and this finish will become even more hard and durable as it ages. Safe to use on children's toys, cutting boards, etc.
Rockler's 100% Pure Tung Oil
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A 100% natural oil containing no driers or solvents.
APPEARANCE: Flat to satin-sheen finish.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good to very good. Very water-resistant. Use on furniture or any wood object where easy maintenance is desired
General Finishes Salad Bowl Finish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Made to be 100% safe for use on any wood surface that comes into contact with food. Varnish/oil blend.
APPEARANCE: Flat to satin sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good durability. Use on salad bowls, wooden spoons, cutting boards, etc.
Liberon Finishing Oil
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A quick drying, low odor blend of high quality oils.
APPEARANCE: Produces a very even soft sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Safe for food preparation areas. Resistant to water, heat, alcohol and food acids.
Behlen Woodturner's Finish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: High gloss wipe on finish designed for small woodturning projects.
APPEARANCE: Ultra high sheen finish designed for turned work.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Wipe on bare wood and polish while your project is still on the lathe for a durable finish.
General Finishes Toy Maker's Finishes
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Safe for use on children's toys and furniture. Applies easily like an oil, yet looks like a varnish.
APPEARANCE: Flat to satin sheen.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good to very good durability. Use on bare wood or stained children's furniture and toys.
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Very fast drying and easy to apply. Easy water clean-up.
APPEARANCE: Available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss. Virtually clear so it adds almost no color to wood.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good to very good. Use on chairs, dressers, chests, molding and woodwork.
General Finishes EF High Performance Waterbase Polyurethane
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: "EF" stands for environmentally friendly! Fast-drying. Easy water clean-up.
APPEARANCE: Your choice of satin or gloss. Virtually clear, so it adds almost no color to wood.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Excellent durability. Tough enough for kitchen/dining room tables. Durable enough even for floors!
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: Affordable choice for an all-around clear waterborne finish.
APPEARANCE: Water-clear when dry. Available in satin, semi-gloss and gloss
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Perfect for cabinets, molding and trim. Can be applied over oil-based and water-based stain. Recommended for lighter colored woods and stains.
Rockhard Table Top Varnish
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A "short-oil" varnish formulated for an extra hard and durable finish.
APPEARANCE: High-gloss with an amber cast.
DURABILITY AND USAGE: Superior resistance to moisture, household chemicals and abrasion. Use on table tops or wherever an extra hard finish is desired. For interior use.
Zinsser Bullseye SealCoat
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: A clear, premixed 2 pound cut of de-waxed shellac. Can be applied with either a brush or lint-free cloth.
APPEARANCE: On raw wood, 2 to 3 coats will produce a soft velvety sheen. SealCoat is most often used as an undercoat, however.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Use to seal raw wood in preparation for a final finish. Makes an excellent sanding sealer and barrier coat. For interior use.
General Finishes EF Sanding Sealer
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: This waterborne sealer sands easily and is designed to seal raw wood, help fill in wood pores, and build up surfaces in preparation for final finishing.
APPEARANCE: Flat - not intended as a final finish.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Great for sealing wood pores prior to final finishing. Stearated for easy sanding and extra surface build. Easy water clean-up.
CHARACTERISTICS & QUALITIES: The classic finish for furniture and other wood surfaces now in convenient aerosol form. Safe and non-toxic, this natural finish enhances grain pattern and produces a soft, deep glow.
APPEARANCE: Soft, velvety sheen after 2 to 3 coats.
DURABILITY & USAGE: Good durability. Best for small-scale interior projects where a traditional finish is desired. Also has excellent sealing properties and can be used as a barrier coat under latex and oil paint.