Finish reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 141 Reddit reviews across 24 subreddits and 58 posts to rank the best Finish brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/woodworking, r/finishing, r/BeginnerWoodWorking, r/cabinetry, r/gallifrey. Top-rated brands include Osmo (4.6/5), Rubio (4.5/5), Polyurethane (4.1/5).
Stats
Reviews141
Subreddits24
Posts58
Brands79
Products30
141 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Osmo
4.6
(9)
"Osmo top oil in clear satin then build coats and the wax will polish to a higher shine than satin."
"If you are looking for a one or two coat, easy and durable finish, look at Osmo Polyx or Rubio Monocoat."
"Osmo Poly-x hybrid oil-wax."
"This stuff is very good at emphasising the natural character of the wood while offering a decent level of protection."
"The *only* finish we use for walnut us Osmo Polyx Hard Wax Oil."
"Ive been using Osmo Polyx and like it."
"I just finished a project in maple using Osmo polyx raw matte (3051). In short, it rocks and I love it."
"Osmo is fine. I have it on my white oak dining room table."
"Osmo"
#2
Rubio
4.5
(8)
"If you are looking for a one or two coat, easy and durable finish, look at Osmo Polyx or Rubio Monocoat."
"It’s the best finish for walnut I’ve ever used."
"On walnut I love doing Rubio Pure or 100% tung oil."
"I love the way it looks, it is very durable, and it is easy to apply."
"Then I applied Rubio Monocoat to it."
"Arm-R-Seal, Rubio, Danish oil."
"Any of the modern finishes made for floors ... Rubio, Bona, etc."
"It will make it black black and still have the grain."
#3
Polyurethane
4.1
(7)
"My vote is a few coats of polyurethane. It’s tough and durable."
"Satin finish polyurethane."
"Satin polyurethane, oil-based."
"Poly. Simple, easy, looks good."
"Polyurethane or a thin coat of bar top epoxy."
"I just used poly on the one I made for my daughter. It's lasted 4 years so far with no issues."
"Polyurethane and lacquer will be the two most durable."
#4
Big Finish
5.0
(5)
"If you're looking for one that's a longer overarching storyline, 6 with Evelyn (starting with The Marian Conspiracy) and 8 with Charley (starting with Storm Warning) are two excellent starting points."
"Spare parts is also excellent"
"Jubilee is a classic as well"
"Chimes of midnight is on spotify and is one of big finish’s best!! highly recommended!"
"Six in the monthly range and his adventures with Evelyn are great, nothing like the Six on TV."
#5
General Finishes
4.6
(5)
"General Finishes is a much better product."
"A good water based polyurethane, like General Finishes High Performance or Old Masters, applied with a painters pad is a good way to go."
"Has worked really well for me in giving a tough finish."
"For a DIY friendly finish, General Finishes Arm-r-Seal and follow that up with paste wax."
"I would go for a wipe on finish such as Danish Oil or General Finishes Arm-R-Seal."
#6
Howard
4.2
(5)
"As a person who just did a whole bunch of cutting boards during Christmas, go with the Howard stuff."
"Howard’s is fine. I switched to gallon jugs of food grade mineral oil several years ago."
"I've only used the Howard's, but it definitely does the job."
"I use Howards on my ash spatulas. Works a treat and I only recoat them about every two months."
"I use the Howard and like it."
#7
Odie's Oil
5.0
(4)
"Also, lots of guys use Odie’s oil as well."
"Odies Oil. The answer is always Odies oil."
"I tried Odie’s recently and I’m extremely impressed."
"I really like Odies Oil. I've used it on several projects."
#8
Waterlox
5.0
(4)
"Hard to beat Waterlox around moisture."
"My neighbor does some good woodworking and uses a product called WaterLox."
"Waterlox looks awesome on walnut and is a great finish around moisture."
"Waterlox is fucking phenomenal."
#9
Danish Oil
4.8
(4)
"Danish oil"
"Out of those I would choose Danish as it is the best of both worlds."
"I used clear Danish oil on mine for ease of cleanup and to prevent size changes through the year."
"I opt for tung oil or danish oil."
#10
Shellac
4.5
(4)
"Cannot second enough the previous mentions for shellac."
"Last year I built a computer case out of curly maple and used shellac and did a French Polish."
"I like a rubbed or sprayed shellac."
"I would use a 100% wax free oil based shellac as a primer, then oil based polyurethane for the finish."
#11
Tung Oil
4.3
(4)
"Apply Tung oil. It will bring the color of the wood out and it will also protect."
"I am a big fan of Tung oil."
"I opt for tung oil or danish oil."
"It's as good as any other. just don't expect it to stay shiny."
#12
Rubio Monocoat
4.7
(3)
"I’m partial to Rubio Monocoat these days but BLO or any other oil finish would be my choice."
"Rubio or osmo, no vocs and easy to repair later on."
"Rubio monocoat would be a great choice. I’m building a door for a client and we’re using it."
#13
Minwax
4.7
(3)
"Minwax paste wax"
"Minwax wipe-on poly… super easy to use, dries quick, 3-4 coats you’re good."
"I have used minwax satin polyurethane on walking sticks I made for a local state park. Worked very well."
#14
Spar Urethane
4.3
(3)
"I'd use Spar Urethane."
"An oil based spar urethane may be the best choice for the cabinet."
"Spar urethane would be my choice."
#15
Teak Oil
4.0
(3)
"I've heard that Tung oil works well for the fretboard."
"Teak oil is a good choice for open gran woods like walnut."
"Teak oil is an option, can reapply as needed."
#16
Tru-Oil
5.0
(2)
"I would use tried and true varnish oil."
"Tru oil is my favorite for necks."
#17
Water-Based Polyurethane
4.0
(2)
"While some people don’t like poly, I have had great results with water based poly."
"Water based Polyurethane is your only option. It will be fine once cured."
#18
Cerakote
4.0
(2)
"I used Cerakote on all my lower black cladding. Works very well IF you prep the surfaces properly."
"The Cerakote is a good product."
#19
Cetol
4.0
(2)
"I would use an exterior finish like Cetol Door & Window."
"Cetol is pretty good stuff for weather."
#20
Watco
4.0
(2)
"I'd go with something like a Danish oil or even an oil/varnish blend."
"I like Watco and I don’t really care for linseed oil."
#21
Mineral Oil
3.5
(2)
"I always use mineral oil followed by board butter (mineral oil and beeswax)."
"Using any commercially available cutting board treatment product is a complete waste of money."
#22
Smith's Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer
5.0
(1)
"The best clear finishing procedure for exterior wood is 2 part. Start with Smith’s Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer and topcoat with Epifanes Marine Gloss."
#23
ICA LP157
5.0
(1)
"Best option to highlight the wood is a clear exterior 2k poly. Will last the longest and it's the most resistant of all finishes."
#24
Old Masters
5.0
(1)
"A good water based polyurethane, like General Finishes High Performance or Old Masters, applied with a painters pad is a good way to go."
#25
Walrus Oil
5.0
(1)
"I am tripping over myself to put Walrus Oil butter on it every single time."
#26
C4
5.0
(1)
"C4 trim restoration. My goodness it is magic on smooth plastic trim."
#27
Envirolak
5.0
(1)
"We use envirolak at my shop and I love it."
#28
Schooner Varnish
5.0
(1)
"Fuck poly, have some balls and go, schooner varnish."
#29
Total Boat
5.0
(1)
"Might also look at Total Boat Halcyon."
#30
Water-Based Floor Finish
5.0
(1)
"Get a professional waterbased floor finish that is catalyzed."
#31
Restore-A-Deck Water-Based Semi-Transparent Stain
5.0
(1)
"I used a water based semi-transparent stain from restore-a-deck on my ipe deck."
#32
2K Finish
5.0
(1)
"A 2k (catalyst cured) or UV cured finish is going to yield the best durability."
#33
Minwax Polycrylic
5.0
(1)
"I've used minwax Polycrylic, sprayed, 3 coats seems to get rid of most of the rough texture."
#34
Zinsser Bull's Eye SealCoat
5.0
(1)
"Sand with 220, couple coats of dewaxed shellac (like Zinsser Bull's Eye SealCoat), then some high gloss poly."
#35
Bona
5.0
(1)
"Bona anything is going to be great."
#36
Aqua Coat Water-Based Grain Filler
5.0
(1)
"Aqua Coat makes a fantastic water-based grain filler."
#37
Two Pack Polyurethane
5.0
(1)
"Two pack polyurethane is probably the best thing."
#38
Bona Traffic HD
5.0
(1)
"BONA traffic Hd is a a great product for your situation"
#39
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal
5.0
(1)
"I just bought a maple unit unfinished and will use a couple coats of Arm R seal."
#40
Osmo Polyx-Oil
5.0
(1)
"Osmo offers plenty of protection too."
#41
Pure Tung Oil
5.0
(1)
"I like tung oil thinned with mineral spirits. Dead reliable, easy to apply, and nontoxic."
#42
Absolution Green
5.0
(1)
"Seconding the recommendation of Absolution Green. It's fantastic."
#43
Acrylic Urethane
5.0
(1)
"Acrylic urethane, very good stuff."
#44
Dewaxed Shellac
5.0
(1)
"Dewaxed shellac (my favorite finish) is an excellent finish for putting over figured wood."
#45
Natura OneCoat
5.0
(1)
"So far my favorite finish for walnut, and really any wood, is Natura OneCoat."
#46
West System Epoxy
5.0
(1)
"West system epoxy and then epiphane marine varnish."
#47
Watco Danish Oil
5.0
(1)
"The finish still looks good. And I abuse this knife."
#48
General Finishes High Performance Matte
5.0
(1)
"This product worked great for me!"
#49
Starbrite
5.0
(1)
"Try Starbrite Tropical Teak Oil - Classic Teak, I used it on my Whaler Montauk for all the teak hatch covers, louvered doors, reversible pilot seat, etc. Turned out great and beads water like crazy."
#50
Conversion Varnish
4.0
(1)
"Look into a finish system of conversion varnish primers, sealers, and topcoats."
#51
Starbrite Teak Oil
4.0
(1)
"If you like the golden color you can use some teak oil (I like Starbrite) and plan to renew it as needed maybe annually."
#52
2K Polyurethane Varnish
4.0
(1)
"Only a 2k poly or marine varnish will stand up to being around that much water."
#53
Ready Seal
4.0
(1)
"I Have good luck with Ready Seal products. Penetrates really well as a genuine oil product."
#54
Boiled Linseed Oil
4.0
(1)
"BLO or Shellac with a french polish."
#55
Sherwin
4.0
(1)
"We are using Sherwin's Hydroplus and have been happy with it."
#56
Centurion
4.0
(1)
"My company uses Centurion and Sayerlack for the vast majority of our finishing."
#57
Sayerlack
4.0
(1)
"My company uses Centurion and Sayerlack for the vast majority of our finishing."
#58
Arm-R-Seal
4.0
(1)
"Arm-R-Seal, Rubio, Danish oil."
#59
Command
4.0
(1)
"Command great product, with that said, I’m a satin finish guy for cabinets."
#60
Wood Filler
4.0
(1)
"You can get a damn near perfect finish with basic wood filler and a sanding block."
#61
Butcher Block Oil
4.0
(1)
"We decided on butcher block oil and then butcher block conditioner."
#62
Cab Acrylic Water White Lacquer
4.0
(1)
"I'd use cab acrylic water white lacquer but you kinda need to be set up to do that."
#63
Loba
4.0
(1)
"Loba intensive color is near 100% solids, finished with loba supra AT is a very, very tough floor."
#64
Stek
4.0
(1)
"I’d suggest looking into stek their finish is better"
#65
Fabulon Satin
4.0
(1)
"Fabulon satin"
#66
Rustins Danish Oil
4.0
(1)
"Rustins Danish Oil"
#67
Beaver Oil
4.0
(1)
"Beaver oil."
#68
Livos
4.0
(1)
"Livos!"
#69
Antique Oil
4.0
(1)
"I like Antique Oil. It’s easy and looks nice."
#70
Wipe On Poly
4.0
(1)
"3-4 coats of wipe on poly is enough."
#71
Thinned Poly
4.0
(1)
"I've used thinned (wipe on) poly. It's been holding up great."
#72
Deck Stain
4.0
(1)
"It gave the wood a little color, and water still beads up on it a couple years later."
#73
General Finishes Oil Based Poly
4.0
(1)
"General Finishes oil based poly…"
#74
Total Boat Halcyon UV Protectant
4.0
(1)
"Going to use total boat epoxy and their halcyon UV protectant."
#75
Awlgrip
4.0
(1)
"Awlgrip or Alexseal."
#76
Milesi Natural Effect
4.0
(1)
"Get milesi natural effect and put a good amount of coats on."
#77
Axalta
3.0
(1)
"Conversion varnish is good, but not the best."
#78
Acroma
3.0
(1)
"Acroma pro, 2k finishes, I find most laquer to be soft."
#79
Cab Acrylic Lacquer
3.0
(1)
"If your going to brush/roll then waterbornes are what you are looking for."
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