Many woodworkers prefer an oil finish followed by wax because both are simple to apply and together they add depth and warm luster to a piece. Carnoil, a new finish from Montour Professional Finishing Products, combines boiled linseed oil with wax, allowing you to apply both in one step.

I compared two coats of Carnoil with a traditional oil-and-wax finish (two coats of boiled linseed oil with a wax topcoat), applying both to the same cherry board. The linseed oil and wax darkened the wood significantly and actually obscured some of the figure due to blotching. Carnoil, on the other hand, enhanced the figure without discoloration or blotching.

Like any oil-and-wax finish, Carnoil offers limited protection, but if you’re looking for an easy-to-apply finish that accentuates the wood’s character, Carnoil fits the bill. A 22-oz. can sells for $11.75.

Photo by Thomas McKenna

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