The only finish woodworkers need

Ever wonder if one finish is truly the best? The wrong finish can ruin any woodworking project you've spent hours on. This beginner's video will give you side by side comparisons of popular finishes and help you make a decision for your upcoming project. This doesn't need to be complicated.

[hupka]

This might be the single greatest video I've seen on any channel in months. Absolutely got right down to the core of the issue, didn't add a lot of nonsense fluff to pad the video time, and was entertaining the whole way. I'm gonna make the other guys in our shop watch this video this afternoon. It might become required viewing for all new employees.

[therman]

If only all YouTube videos were as informative and direct as this one, we would have more time to do our woodworking. Clearly one of the best videos I have watched. Right to the point.

[Matlock]

I’m so angry right now! You literally boiled down every important detail that I’ve learned about all of these finishes into a 13 min video! The problem is it took me probably 200 hours of research over the last 6 years to sift through all the other useless info about these products. Where was this video 6 years ago! 😂

[JJ-zbfx]

I grew up in a custom furniture shop, learned finishing from my father, a master (lacquer, Danish oil, and wax) and in this 13-minute video I learned more than the prior sum total of my knowledge. And without giving away any of the really high-level secret techniques. Well done!

[theowensquiresshow]

Easily my favorite YouTuber in the woodworking space. He cuts out all the bs, just facts and dry sarcasm, I love this dude. Keeping cranking out content my man 👊🏻

[brintprattkeyes]

I have been playing at woodworking for 25 years. During that time I have repeatedly consulted books and videos and magazine articles to try to get my mind around the differences between the different kinds of finishes, but never succeeded in organizing the info in a way that was memorable (i.e., useful). Your video swept all the jumbled, useless scraps of info out of my brain and replaced them with a clear and concise explanation not only that I understood, but also that I could remember and easily refer to. Thank you so very, very much. This is the first video of yours that I've seen, and I just subscribed.

[gpricetube]

I have a handful of finishes and I've honestly been applying them with no strategy or reason. So much more clear now. Major props on another excellent video!

[SandyMasquith]

Thank you! I've progressed in my woodworking journey from the poly finishes to Tung oil and now use only the hard wax oils. I've been going between Odie's and the Osmo products lately. For my cutting boards, I've settled on Odie's as my go-to. Simple to apply, easy fixes, looks great, and makes the product easier for my customers to maintain. Since they're mostly end-grain, I will generally flood with mineral oil, then cover with Odie's for the sheen. I really appreciate your diligence on this video. Thanks again for taking the time!

[AtEboli]

Great comparisons. One factor that should also be included though is toxicity, which is a long term health concern for applicators, as well as requires more PPE which adds to the annoyance of using some of these products, particularly lacquers. There is also a not insignificant fire hazard associated with using lacquer products.

[JasonPatz]

This is the best video I've seen on wood finishing. The two follow up finish videos that I'd love to see you make: 1. Durability testing (like Project Farm). 2. Color change over time (polyurethane turns yellow-orange over time, etc).

[DFWanderingKid]

Your approach and nature has become one of my preferred places to find information. I love how both polite and abrupt you were about Odie's .... and how you did it anyway. Thanks for this, and keep it going. There's a number of wood channels I'll watch and like, but you, I'll subscribe to.

[KarriePorterBond]

SO SO SO helpful! Thank you! I'm an amateur hobbyist woodworker and am almost done building my first tack trunk (for horse equipment). This is roughly my 5th or 6th project that I've built ever. I'm super proud of it and want to make sure it looks good and can withstand heavy use, but also want a product that - as more of a newbie - I won't be likely to mess up. Since I'm using birch plywood for the majority of the build, with pine planks and moulding for trim, with some cedar tongue and groove on the inside, and a thin strip of oak trim to cover the bare plywood edges on top which will be exposed when you open the lid, I have a bit of a mix....I may stain the outside of the box first (leaving the inside natural), so I have that to contend with first as well. Needless to say, having a comparison like this is going to help me immensely when I get ready to finish it.

[hardnox]

Well explained! Thank you. For many years I have used Odie's exclusively. I have gotten fabulous results and my customers love it. It's not expensive considering how much mileage you get from it. Technically, it's cheaper in the long run considering it is equivalent to 1-1/2 gallon of poly. Plus, no issues with dust nibs or having a sterile shop. I use a 6" car buffer to apply it and buff it off. No respirators either. It's a no-brainer.

[jbrisby]

As someone who just got into making his own picture frames, the variety of finishes is overwhelming. Thanks for the clarity!

[kellyb]

I'm just getting into making some wood working gifts and choosing finishes feels overwhelming sometimes. Thank you for this video as it really helped clear up a lot of questions I've been having. The side by side comparison of a dozen or so finishes on 4 popular wood types was a perfect way to test everything out.

[allent]

What a great comparison. May a suggest in the follow on including how each of the final list age and handle UV exposure? Some finishes like to yellow after a some sun shine ...

[andygallien]

I've used Minwax Polycrylic on numerous projects where I wanted a clear finish that didn't change the wood color. I use a fine-bristly brush and thin the Polycrylic slightly. It does take a few coats but the dry time is short. Glassy smooth.

[mikerobertson]

Videos like this are why I'm subscribed to this guy. Concise, well done, and extremely informative.

[thebeardedmother]

Great video - thank you. My first use of Danish oil was on the New Guinea Rosewood bed I made for my wife. 20 years on that bed still looks the bomb!! Will never go back to poly ever again. Cheers.

[metalman]

I have used Danish Oil on most of my projects over the years. It is easy to work with and provides a good finish. There is really nothing to compare with seeing the wood grain come out when a good finish is applied. That is the pinnacle of woodworking.