Tried & True Original Wood Finish is a polymerized linseed oil and beeswax finish for interior woodwork that protects against water and other liquids.

Use it on bare wood, or over a stained piece for a lower-gloss, antique sheen. Wipe on a very thin coat with a lint-free cloth (no brush), let it soak in at least 60 minutes, then rub it completely dry and let it cure at least 24 hours. Burnish with a soft cloth or 0000 steel wool before every coat, and stop at three coats. A gallon covers up to 1,000 sq ft.

Joe Robson, a professional cabinetmaker, first made Tried & True finishes in 1992, after years of refining them in his own shop. He wanted a high-quality finish that was environmentally friendly, and he worked from 18th-century Shaker methods: polymerized linseed oil, with no solvents or heavy metal driers. About 20 years later FBC, the family-owned company that supplied his raw materials, bought Tried & True, and the formulas haven't changed.