Penetrating oils, oil-varnish blends and waxes: when to use them and how to apply them.
Tung oil can leave bare wood with a low-gloss, soft-looking finish that shows grain rather than building a thick plastic-like film. The process is straightforward, but the label matters: many products sold as “tung oil finish” are blends with varnish, solvents, or other oils, not pure tung oil. Check the Read more
Natural wax is best on wood whose grain and color you want to feel rather than bury under a thick film. It adds a soft sheen, warms the appearance slightly, and is easy to renew. It does not provide the water, heat, or abrasion resistance of a durable varnish or Read more
A good California olive oil should taste like something alive—grassy, peppery, faintly bitter at the finish—rather than the flat, waxy liquid that passes for “extra virgin” on a lot of supermarket shelves. The problem is that the label alone tells you almost nothing. A bottle can say extra virgin and Read more