Wood Finish Comparison: A Deeper Look
Choosing the right wood finish can completely transform the look, feel, and durability of handcrafted walnut. Over the years, we’ve tested dozens of finishes in our shop — some traditional, some modern — all to understand how they bring out the grain and protect the wood.
In this updated comparison, we take a fresh look at the finishes we’ve tried on solid walnut boxes and projects: Arm-R-Seal, Lacquer, High Performance Poly, Danish Oil, Tried & True, Shellac, Wax, and most recently, the finish we use today — button-lac shellac.
If you want to see these finishes in action on real pieces, explore our collection of heirloom-quality walnut keepsake boxes handmade one box at a time.
Arm-R-Seal Oil-Based Topcoat
Arm-R-Seal produces one of the warmest, richest looks on walnut. It enhances grain beautifully, and many woodworkers swear by it. However, it requires three coats, with 12–24 hours between coats, and the VOC levels and odor are strong — especially in small shops. It remains one of the most visually stunning finishes, but the slow throughput makes it less practical for daily production.
Lacquer
Lacquer dries fast and is easy to sand between coats, which makes it labor-efficient. But lacquer is designed to be sprayed, not applied by hand. Since we don’t spray in our shop, brushing lacquer left runs, streaks, and a plastic-like sheen that didn’t suit the natural feel we want for heirloom boxes.
Although lacquer creates a nice gloss, it doesn’t enrich walnut grain the way oil-based finishes or shellac do.
High Performance Polyurethane
This is the finish we use on our Sliding Lid Boxes and White-Washed Boxes. It dries crystal clear and stays clear — it will not yellow over time, even in sunlight.
As a film-building finish, it’s extremely durable and protects the surface well, but it doesn’t deepen or warm the grain like traditional oils or shellac. Fine Woodworking named it their “Best Overall Choice” for durability and clarity.
Dry time is about two hours per coat, with three coats recommended.
Other Popular Finishes
- Danish Oil and Tried & True Original: These penetrate deeply and create a soft, natural look. However, they can amber over time and their cure times are slow — especially Tried & True, which may take days between coats.
- Shellac: Traditional shellac adds beautiful warmth and dimension, but premixed shellac can have a strong odor and dewaxed shellac alone isn’t durable enough for heirlooms.
- Wax: Simple to apply and great for touch-ups, but not protective enough for boxes that will be handled for generations. Best used as a topcoat, not a standalone finish.
What We Use Today: Button-Lac Shellac
After years of testing nearly every finish available, we now use button-lac shellac on our walnut keepsake boxes.
Button-lac shellac comes in solid, button-shaped pieces that we dissolve in alcohol ourselves. This gives us a finish that is:
- Fast-drying
- Durable (more so than dewaxed shellac alone)
- Warm and rich, bringing out walnut’s natural depth
- Low odor compared to premixed shellac
- Traditional and timeless — a finish used for centuries
It strikes the perfect balance of beauty, practicality, and customer experience. For heirloom boxes meant to be held, opened, gifted, and passed down, it’s exactly the feel we want.
Why We Care So Much About Finishing
Finishing is where craftsmanship meets chemistry. At Mad Tree Woodcrafts®, we take finishing seriously because it defines how a box feels in your hands — warm, smooth, and alive with grain.
The right finish protects the wood.
But the best finish elevates it.
If you’d like to see how these finishes look on real walnut pieces, visit our
handmade keepsake box collection.
We’re always happy to help you choose the perfect finish or customize your piece.
~ Christy and Tyler