Wood finishing has gotten complicated with all the product options and technique debates flying around. As someone who’s ruined plenty of projects with bad finishes—and eventually learned what actually works—I learned everything there is to know about protecting and enhancing wood. Today, I will share it all with you.
What Finishing Actually Does
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Finishing is the final protective layer you apply to wood. It does two things: protects the wood from moisture, UV damage, and wear, and enhances how the wood looks by bringing out the grain and adding sheen.
Skip the finish and your project will look dull, absorb stains, and degrade faster. Apply it badly and you’ll have runs, bubbles, and uneven color that ruin otherwise good work.
The Real Work: Surface Prep
That’s what makes finishing endearing to us experienced woodworkers—the actual application is the easy part. Prep determines the result.
Before any finish goes on:
- Sand progressively through grits (120 → 150 → 180 → 220 for most projects)
- Remove all sanding dust (tack cloth or compressed air)
- Check for scratches under good light—they’ll show worse under finish
- Use pre-stain conditioner on softwoods and blotchy hardwoods if staining
Rush the prep, regret the result. Every time.
Common Finishes Explained Simply
- Polyurethane: Durable, water-resistant, available in oil or water-based. The go-to for tabletops and high-wear surfaces.
- Lacquer: Dries fast, sprays well, easy to repair. Professional shops love it. Needs good ventilation.
- Varnish: Old-school durability, great for outdoor projects. Longer dry time.
- Shellac: Traditional, easy to apply, beautiful. Not water or alcohol resistant—wrong choice for dining tables.
- Oil finishes: Penetrate wood rather than film on top. Natural look, easy repair, less protection. Good for items that don’t see heavy use.
Application Methods
Brushing works for most home shop situations—use a quality brush and thin coats. Spraying gives the smoothest results but requires equipment and space. Wiping (with rags or pads) works well for oil finishes and shellac.
Whatever method you use: thin coats beat thick coats. Multiple thin layers build up smoothly. One thick coat runs and sags.
The Bottom Line
Good finishing is mostly good prep plus patience. Sand properly, apply thin coats, let each dry fully before the next. The specific finish matters less than the technique. Master the basics and any finish will work for you.
