Minwax has ruined enough of my projects. I’m looking for recommendations for wood finishing products, particularly stains and wiping varnishes, that actually work, are readily available on the East coast of the United States, and are not manufactured by Sherwin-Williams.
If YouTube wood workers have taught me anything, Rubio Monocoat seems to be the only finish left. Unfortunately I have had way too much going on to do any projects lately, so I haven’t tried it yet.
I’ve also seen woodworkers talk about Monocoat, in almost the same way they talk about the Festool Domino. They almost can’t bring it up without a pre-emptive cringe/shrug at the anticipated audience reaction and paragraph excusing themselves for choosing such opulence.
It is a good finish, though, at least if you want something that is incredibly easy to use, nearly impossible to mess up, and that offers decent protection. However, you’ll never get a shiny look from it and if you specifically want a film finish, this ain’t it. You can find some cheaper alternatives, though not all are made equal.