I get quite a few questions on products that I like to use. Why not create a quick list? Here are my go-to products that I always have in my workroom. These are all my must haves!
My Go-To Product List
Sealers for Wood Finishes
General Finishes Oil Based Gel Urethane Topcoat – apply with a clean cloth and allow one day for dry time
Minwax Wipe-On Poly – apply with clean cloth and it dries in a few hours
Wood Stains
Apply all stains with a clean cloth or with a stain pad for larger areas
Minwax Wood Finish Dark Walnut (oil based)
Minwax Wood Finish Early American (oil based)
Minwax Wood Finish Weathered Gray (oil based)
General Finishes Nutmeg Gel Stain (oil based)
General Finishes Java Gel Stain (oil based)
General Finishes Wood Stain Walnut (water based)
General Finishes Wood Stain Whitewash (water based)
Varathane Wood Stain in Sunbleached
Howard’s Feed and Wax Wood Polish – apply directly onto wood for natural finish
Sealers for Paint Finishes
General Finishes High Performance Sealer in Matte
Artisan Enhancements Clear Topcoat Sealer – love this new product
Fiddes and Sons Supreme Wax Polish
Annie Sloan Clear Wax
Maison Blanche Dark Brown Wax
I’m sure you all have a list of your own – what are your go-to products?
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There are just to many advertisement on this blog.
Thank you for this concise list. Very helpful.
Great blogs = lots of ads. If you want no ads, read a bad blog. And that would be too, no to.
Excellent post with great info. I was so undecided what color to stain my table top, but after reading your post I have decided on varathane wood finish sun bleached – exactly what I had pictured in my mind. Thanks so much for taking the time to share all of this information.
excellent post…right on regarding ads. they are an indication of a good blog. Bad bloggers have no sponsors…also ad block will perhaps remove some this advertisement, if they are just popping up all over the place, and are not sponsors…..I don’t see any ad overboards , but then I have ad block
You are so welcome, Liz and best of luck with your table. I really love sunbleached!
Thanks for the great list. I’ve learned so much from you and your choices in paint and sealers. Thanks for this great blog:)
Thanks, Mimi! I appreciate it!
What about your favorite paints??
Great idea! I shall share soon!
I have the furniture, the sander, I am making the room in my garage, thanks to you I have the knowledge..One of these days I will actually find out if I have any skill. Until then I will just keep enjoying your blog.
You need to just go for it and have fun!
Interesting list ! Some of us find AS clear wax a pain to work with-it sometimes leaves “patches” where it doesn’t seem to absorb into the paint or darken the paint in areas. I feel I am a skilled and resourceful painter but no matter what I try the AS wax acts likes this. I have used many paint brands and their waxes as well as many types of finishes. AS Clear is not one of my faves. Do you have any suggestions on this ? Thank you, Cynthia Kay.
Hi Cynthia, I find with AS that you need to apply only a little bit at a time. A thin layer and don’t let it sit for even 30 seconds without wiping it in. If you put some on your paint and let it sit while you rub in another part, it will stain. I only do a small part at a time and go from there. I should make a video on the process because this sounds confusing. I also don’t rub it in too hard – I use a soft cloth and not a brush. Maybe this makes a difference? I highly suggest Fiddes and Sons – it is very easy to apply but does have a stronger odor.
Thank you-that is very helpful ! I think because I am doing alot of projects for clients with deadlines that I try to wax a bigger area at a time thinking this will get it done faster lol ! One of your wonderful video’s may be very helpful for others too ! Thanks again !
With AS I wax about a 6-8″ swathe at a time and buff right away and it works well. I have found that if your piece has some flaws to start with that haven’t been cleaned up, it will get blotchy and streaky. I just did an old rocking chair that I spent hours sanding trying to get all the chippy paint off of and evidently I didn’t get it quite all of across the top and that’s how it came out. Also, I usually use 2 coats of AS wax a day apart and love the results. FYI I used AS bright red paint and put a black stain on it for a beautiful black cherry look. The color name escapes me at this time and just a reg. black stain from Lowes. If you want specific names ask on here and I will go look.
The red sounds gorgeous! I also apply a small bit of wax at a time and find it works best that way. I made a YouTube video on it. I don’t bother with the two coats but I’m sure it is good for a really durable finish. Thanks for the tip on the stain – I may be back in touch 🙂
HELP! Just completed 2 projects (I’m new at this) and am very frustrated that after sanding to distress, the sanded paint color actually changed. I painted a beautiful lime green top on a sidebtable. In the spots I distressed, the areas that were scuffed now show through as yellow. I used 220 grit paper. Another project was a farm table that I painted the legs a very pale gray with muted green undertones. Again, the distressed areas look slightly light green. So disappointed.
Hi Leigh, I’m not sure what paint you used? I think that you are only sanding it back to its base color. If you want to distress, you should go all the way to the wood underneath. Best of luck!