1. Vegetable Oils: The Naturalist's Choice

Vegetable oil coatings, represented by linseed oil and tung oil, are like giving furniture a deep SPA treatment. This coating fully penetrates the wood fibers, enhancing structure while showcasing a three-dimensional texture of the wood grain. I remember helping a client restore an old elm dining table last year, and three thin applications of tung oil restored the table's original luster after it had cracked.

The advantage is that it can be locally repaired—simply buff with 0000 steel wool and reapply to renew. However, be mindful of humidity; during the rainy season, you may need to shorten the maintenance cycle.

2. Varnish: The Armor of Practicality

About 80% of the children's room furniture I've worked on chooses polyurethane varnish. The hardened film it forms can resist spills from juices and crayon doodles, turning them into 'disaster scenes'. I suggest using a 'thin coats multiple layers' strategy when applying; after each layer dries, lightly sand with 320-grit sandpaper before reapplying, resulting in a finish comparable to a phone's tempered glass.

3. Shellac: The Heritage of Vintage Craftsmanship

• Raw materials derived from secreta of the lac insect.
• Must be dissolved with 95% medical alcohol during preparation.
• Application temperature should be controlled at 18-25°C.

While restoring a dressing table from the Republic of China last year, I found that the original paint layer was actually a shellac and black tea concoction for an antique finish. This process, when heated, leaves cup marks, so it's recommended to use coasters.

4. Nitrocellulose Lacquer: The Weapon of Modern Aesthetics

Want to achieve a piano lacquer effect? Be sure to choose a professional spraying environment equipped with a gas mask. In a recent project for a minimalist sideboard, we layered six coats of nitrocellulose lacquer, and despite the final thickness being only 0.3mm, it was exceptionally sturdy. Note that the interval between each layer must be strictly controlled at 15-20 minutes.

5. Water-based Paint: The New Favorite of Eco-enthusiasts

When transforming a crib for a client with allergies, we specially chose water-based acrylic paint. The measured formaldehyde emissions were only 1/10 of the national standard, and after complete drying, it could be in direct contact with food. However, it's important to control the wood moisture content at 8-12%, or it may easily bubble.