Oil Finishes
Perhaps the simplest finish to apply, oil finishes are simply wiped on, and wiped off.

Wiping Varnishes
What oil finishes lack in durability, wiping varnishes make up for. These oil and resin blends are durable, popular, and still rather easy to apply.

Brush-On Polyurethane
If you’re looking for the ultimate in protection for your furniture and woodworking projects, brush-on polyurethane is a tried-and-true favorite. Just watch out for color variations between oil and water-based versions of this product.

Shellac
A traditional shellac finish is in a class all its own. It dries super-fast, but it doesn’t resist heat or moisture very well. You can also use the de-waxed variety (sold in cans) as a sealer coat.

Wax
The icing on the cake when it comes to furniture finishing, wax brings a beautiful luster to your projects, and adds a modest amount of increased scratch protection.