Maker Brand Simple Finish Review: Oil & Wax Wood Finish
Simple Finish is a plant-based oil-and-wax wood finish made by Maker Brand Co, a small brand started by three DIY furniture makers – Mike, Ben, and Chris. It’s applied by hand (wipe on, let it soak, wipe off the excess), builds a soft matte-to-satin sheen, and is meant to replace the two-step oil-then-wax routine with a single product.
Here’s what it actually is, how oil-and-wax finishes behave as a category, and where Simple Finish fits if you’re deciding between it and a film finish like polyurethane.
What Simple Finish Actually Is
Per Maker Brand Co’s own product page, Simple Finish is an oil-and-wax blend made from plant-based ingredients, formulated to be low-VOC. The oil component soaks into the wood fibers and deepens the natural color and grain contrast; the wax component sits on top once the oil has cured, adding a light protective layer and a buffed sheen. The company notes they’ve adjusted the formula over time to let it penetrate tighter-grained wood better while keeping the wax content the same.
It retails for $42 directly through Maker Brand Co’s own site (it isn’t sold through Amazon), and the maker’s own instructions are straightforward: wipe it on, let it sit and soak in, wipe off the excess, and apply a second or third coat for better absorption and a more built-up wax seal. Buff with a clean cloth once it’s dry to bring up the sheen.
One Thing the Maker Is Explicit About: Don’t Topcoat It
Maker Brand Co specifically advises against putting a film finish like polyurethane over Simple Finish. This tracks with how oil-and-wax finishes work in general – the wax layer doesn’t give polyurethane (or most other film finishes) anything solid to bond to, so layering one on top is likely to result in poor adhesion, not extra protection.
How Oil-and-Wax Finishes Compare to Film Finishes
Look and feel: Oil-and-wax finishes sit largely in the wood rather than on top of it, so the surface still feels like wood – not like plastic. Sheen is typically low (matte to soft satin) compared to the higher-gloss options film finishes offer.
Durability: A wax topcoat is soft and offers real but limited protection against water and abrasion compared to polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish, which form a hard, continuous film.
Maintenance: Oil-and-wax finishes need periodic reapplication (a fresh coat of oil and a wax buff every so often) since the finish wears rather than chips. Film finishes generally last longer between full refinishes but are harder to spot-repair – a scratch usually means sanding back the whole panel, where an oil-and-wax finish can often be touched up locally.
Where each makes sense: Furniture, cutting boards, and pieces where the tactile “real wood” feel matters tend to suit an oil-and-wax finish well. High-wear or frequently wet surfaces (kitchen countertops that see standing water, tabletops that get heavy daily use) generally hold up longer under a film finish.
Application Tips for Any Oil-and-Wax Finish
- Sand to a clean, even surface first – oil-and-wax finishes show sanding marks and unevenness more than a build-up film finish would hide.
- Wipe on with a lint-free cloth and work in the direction of the grain.
- Let it actually soak in for the time the label recommends before wiping off excess – rushing this step leaves a tacky, uneven surface.
- Multiple thin coats beat one heavy one – each additional coat improves absorption and builds the wax layer gradually.
- Buff once fully dry, not while the finish is still curing, for the best sheen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Simple Finish?
Simple Finish is a plant-based, low-VOC oil-and-wax wood finish made by Maker Brand Co. It combines the deepening/grain-enhancing effect of an oil finish with the light protective sheen of a wax topcoat in one product.
What is the easiest wood sealer to use?
A wipe-on oil-and-wax product like Simple Finish is about as low-effort as finishing gets – no brush, no spray equipment, and forgiving application. A water-based polyurethane is the easiest film finish to use if you want more durability and don’t mind a plastic-like surface feel.
What is the longest-lasting wood coating?
For raw durability against water and wear, a film finish – marine-grade varnish or a good polyurethane – will outlast an oil-and-wax finish before it needs attention again. Oil-and-wax finishes trade some of that longevity for easier spot maintenance and a more natural feel.
What is the hardest-wearing wood finish?
Polyurethane is generally the hardest-wearing option for scratch and chemical resistance among common DIY finishes. An oil-and-wax finish like Simple Finish isn’t trying to compete on that axis – it’s built for feel and ease of use rather than maximum abrasion resistance.
Bottom Line
Simple Finish is a straightforward wipe-on oil-and-wax product built by a small, DIY-focused brand – a reasonable pick if you want an easy, natural-feeling finish for furniture and want to skip buying oil and wax separately. It’s not a film finish, so don’t expect polyurethane-level durability, and don’t try to topcoat it with one.
