Polyurethane Wood Finish Polyurethane wood finishes are synthetic coatings that are highly durable and water resistant, making them the best clear coat for wood protection.

Oils, like tung oil, linseed oil, and Danish oil, appear more natural and greatly enhance the existing grain pattern of the wood. If you love the current appearance of the wood and want to preserve the look as much as possible, a clear stain or polyurethane finish is a good choice.

Lacquer is a combination of different shiny wood finishes. For example, you can find lacquer wood finish based on shellac, nitrocellulose, and urushiol, among others. Usually, the drying process involves solvent evaporation, resulting in a hard and durable finish.

Just about everything sticks to shellac and it is natural and easy to work with. After sanding, wood can be sealed with pre-stain wood conditioner or a thinned coat of the same wood stain you plan to use. This helps prevent blotching and ensures even absorption of the stain.