A vital part of the hardwood flooring process is choosing and applying the finish. The finish, usually either an oil or varnish, plays an important role in protecting the wood as it helps seal the surface and create a protective layer over it. It also plays an important part in determining the aesthetic appeal of the hardwood, as the type of finish you choose can be used to add more gloss or color and either highlight the natural grain of the wood or mute it.

Choosing the right finish is going to depend upon your personal taste and the demands of your project. Every finish has strengths and weaknesses, while some may offer less protection they may also be easier to refinish. While some finishes create a stronger surface layer, that also means they must be sanded away if you want to refinish the floor.

As hardwood flooring experts, one of our greatest pleasures is seeing a finish roll over a newly completed woodwork, not only because that means a job has been done and the wood is being protected, but also because it’s just so satisfying to watch. We’ll walk you through some of the basic hardwood finish options and then show you some hardwood finish videos and GIFs that we loved.

Common Hardwood Finishes

There are a few common choices for hardwood finishes that each have their beneficial properties:

• Drying oils: oils like linseed oil do a good job of penetrating the wood surface and interact with oxygen to cure the wood overnight, eventually darkening into an attractive finish
• Lacquer: is a mixture that creates a quick drying film and offers an amber tint to the wood, usually needs to be sprayed
• Oil and varnish mixes: also known as Danish oil, these mixes both highlight the wood grain and apply a thin film to the wood
• Wiping varnish: this finish is usually made from polyurethane, it’s thinner other varnishes and easier to spread.

Now that you know the basics you can enjoy some top quality wood finishing content.

10. Satisfying Wooden Table GIF

In this GIF, a carpenter applies either a light varnish or oil to a handcrafted table. As he wipes waves of finish over the surface of the wood you can see how the dry exposed wood gets covered and protected.

9. Wooden Bannister GIF

This GIF highlights a creative way of applying finish to a smaller surface area, as the craftsman applies finish to a spinning pole, almost like he’s finishing a clay pot.

 8. Best of Stunning Wood Works Compilation

We love this video because it highlights a number of woodworking techniques and a number of different wood finishes. Our favorite part comes in at about the 4:00 minute mark when the craftsmen apply finish to their handmade canoe.

 7. Best of Wood Finishes

This is another great compilation video that’s focused all on different kinds of finishes. 

 6. Spreading Dark Stain

In this satisfying GIF a mechanic spreads dark varnish over a newly completed floor. You can see how impactful the application is to the color of the floor.

 5. Spreading Varnish

Video Link

In this video, a light varnish is applied to a floor and you can see how thick the protective layer it creates is.

 4. Spreading Laminate

In this GIF, a craftsman applies a small amount of laminate to a hardwood floor. This does a great job of highlighting the kind of change just a small amount of laminate can make.

 3. Finishing a Table

We love this gif because of the artful quality of the craftsman applying finish to his wooden table with a brush.

 2. A Serious Wood Oil GIF

In this GIF a craftsman takes oiling his wooden leg sculpture very seriously.

1. My 4 Favorite Finishes and How to Apply Them

In this video, a craftsman, Jonathan, talks about his favorite wood finishes and techniques to use when applying them. We love the passion clear in the presentation of the video and the knowledge on display (alongside some satisfying finish spreading).