Tried & True Superior Varnish Oil Wood Finish, Quart - Natural Pine Resin & Linseed Oil, Ideal for Interior Furniture, Tables, Countertops - Non-Toxic, Scratch Resistant & Durable

This varnish oil is wonderful: goes on easily, doesn't smell, and is non-toxic. The color enhancement on my African padouk dining room table project was incredible; the color went from a washed out pale red to a dark red vivid glowing satin miracle. Only one caveat for anyone contemplating using this: DO NOT use it on open-pored wood (oak, padouk, etc) tabletops! In my case, I should have used a pore-sealing technique (there are many, e.g. sanding with a shellac/sawdust slurry, diluted shellac, etc., experimentation on your wood may be required) on the padouk tabletop before applying the Tried & True Varnish oil. The varnish sits in the pore-tubes and does not cure, so it will be picked up by fibrous cloth or paper lying on the tabletop, for months afterwards. I plan to let it cure a little longer, and then apply a high-quality paste wax to the tabletop in order to close up the pores. I am assuming that my problem was caused by the open-pores, but some of the curing difficulty may have been that some dense tropical hardwoods have oils or other constituents that retard normal curing of varnishes. Everywhere else on the table the stuff was used with no problems and was very fine. I also used it on an old laminated cutting board and it cured in about a day, and makes a wonderful varnish for this application.

I was looking for a finish for a custom desk I was building. I wanted something that provided a rich finish but still felt natural. After researching a bit and trying a few options, I selected the Tried & True Varnish Oil. This is essentially a boiled linseed oil with a small amount of varnish solids included. This worked perfectly to bring out the beautiful grain of the mesquite and beli I used to build the desk as well as include a small amount of protective solids. Application was easy. I started by thoroughly sanding the project down to remove any visible marks and scratches then I simply wiped it on using a blue shop rag. I put it on thin, let it set for 30 min, then wiped it all down with a fresh rag. I ended up with 5 coats and the depth on this is beautiful not to mention it smells fantastic. I have read some people have issues with curing on this, but I didn't have any such problems. Of course, I applied it on my back patio during a Phoenix summer so that may have helped, but after 24 hours I wasn't able to wipe off any additional finish. After letting it cure for another couple of days, I put a thin coat of wax over everything to help with the protection. I was most worried about the way the finish would interact with the epoxy in the center of the desk, but it went on easily and polished well. Overall it was the perfect finish for my desk and I have enough to make several more which is a good thing because I have family begging me to make them desks of their own.

Absolutely hands down no other way to finish reproduction 18th century flintlocks. From Maple, walnut, cherry you name it this finish is just the way to go. I've used so many of the "modern" finishes and sealers over the years and if you are serious about quality they just suck, period. Oil varnish is historically correct, provides more protection than one can ask for and is safe for a true hand rubbed finish. Yes, takes longer to cure but again, if you know anything about anything... Thats not a problem. Truly the best way to finish wood like the can says! Wouldn't trust it on my 3k plus rifle builds if it wasn't.

This is a special kind of varnish. It can not be applied like normal oil based varnish. It works but you have to put it on in very thin coats and then wipe it of after it has had time to soak in. It is difficult to build up any kind of finish with it. I was able to achieve an acceptable finish like I wanted with it but it took some working with to use it.

Why did you pick this product vs others?: Fantastic stuff, easy to apply, looks great on walnut. Leaves a hard finish as well. I put 4 coats down. Sand to 220, apply, let cure, repeat 2 more times. Applied the 4th coat by wet sanding with tried and true on a white Scotch Brite pad.

Ive only used this once and I was REALLY impressed. This is like no other varnish or finish Ive used. It has a thick consistency and smells like pure linseed oil, no harsh voc or solvent odors. I applied a thin coat on small cherry cutoff and it immediately made the grain pop. With just once coat I could already see a nice film/sheen. Not sure how many coats is recommended but I can tell that 3 coats will render excellent results. A little goes a long way, compared to locally available varnishes this is 1/3 more expensive BUT it will last twice as much. It shows on the can that its made of linseed oil and natural resins and its food grade once cured...that alone makes this item unique. Highly recommended.

Perfect for fine woodworking. This product creates a beautiful wood luster a and enhances the grain. It does not create a protective layer like polyurethane. Follow the directions carefully even if you think you know the procedure. Apply very little, let it sit for an hour, wipe it all off and let it sit for a day. Burnish with 0000 steel wool and apply another coat, repeat, repeat. This is the right product to use if you want to see the beauty of the wood or want a food safe oil finish. It's not the right product for high wear areas or frequently wet areas. Perfect for a cherry dining room table used by adults. Not good for everyday dining with a family of children and their spills.

Tried & True makes an excellent product. Easy to use and achieve fantastic results following their instructions.

Amazing stuff. Looks great. I’m super happy with it. It made my chest look fantastic. Perfect. I will use it again. Makes the hardwood pop.

Like the that it’s not a strong odour like most products and it’s really does have a beautiful finish to it. I used it on a wooden chest that I made myself.

Applied this to a butcher block counter. May have been overly generous with my application so the top is a little oily. However finish is beautiful