Wood finishes

When you purchase furniture, most retailers will give you the option of having your wood finished, they will usually offer you a wide choice from lacquers to Danish oils; but for those who wish to apply their own, it's handy to know a little about each. So you've acquired a piece of oak furniture, you've removed the old finish, performed any repair work such as sanding, smoothing and staining, now you need to apply the last touch, the finish. At this point, it's important to remember that finishing your wood isn't a difficult procedure, but you must be patient.
There are five main types of finish, these are: wax, shellac, lacquer, varnish and linseed oil. All of which serve their purpose of protecting the wood from damage in order to preserve the natural beauty of the grain. When deciding which to opt for, you must consider how you want your furniture to look and how durable/damage resistant you want it to be.
Wax - This finishes will create a shine to your wood. It is easy to apply, but may only offer a short-term protection. Frequent re-application may be required, but removal is easy.
Shellac - This will give your wood a yellow/orange tint, depending on the grade. It provides a good protection against water, whilst being very durable. Applying Shellac is quite a difficult procedure, but this product is easily reversible with alcohol.
Lacquer - This is a good transparent gloss providing a decent and somewhat durable protection. Once applied this product is completely irreversible.
Varnish - With excellent protection across the full spectrum, this finish provides a high transparent gloss. Requiring spray equipment, this quality varnish is hard and durable and difficult to reverse once applied.
Linseed oil - This oil provides a warm yellow glow that may darken with age. The protection is minimal but can be enhanced with extra coats. It is very easy to apply with simple rags and can be removed with heavy sanding.

As you can see, each finish has its own advantages and disadvantages; it really depends on what you're after. If you want to finish an outdoor piece, then the varnish or Shellac is the best choice; for in-door display pieces, like cabinets and dressers, perhaps a linseed oil would suffice. Before applying any finishes, it's worth doing a little research into how best to perform the application. Always read the manufacturers instructions and take appropriate precautions for you hands and face.