Wood finishing, done by hand
El Nogal finishes wood by hand in hand-rubbed oil, polyurethane, lacquer, and stain, and refinishes pieces you already own. Giovani Ortega finishes every piece himself in Olney, Maryland, choosing the finish to suit the wood and how the piece will be used.
What you get
A finish chosen for the piece, applied by hand. We finish our own builds and refinish pieces you already own, from a tired table that needs new life to a floor of trim that needs matching.
What we finish
Hand-rubbed oil, polyurethane, lacquer, and stain. We help you choose based on the wood, the look you want, and how hard the piece will be used.
Refinishing
Bring us a piece you own. We clean it back, repair what needs it, and refinish it by hand so it lasts again.
Which finish is right for your piece?
The right finish depends on the wood, the look you want, and how hard the piece will be used. Oil shows the grain and is easy to renew; polyurethane and lacquer build a harder protective film; stain changes color but adds no protection on its own.
- Hand-rubbed oil
- Soaks into the wood and brings out the grain. Warm, natural, and easy to renew at home. Our signature finish.
- Polyurethane
- Builds a hard, clear protective film. A durable choice for surfaces that take daily wear.
- Lacquer
- A clear film finish with a smooth, refined surface.
- Stain
- Changes the color of the grain. Stain adds no protection on its own, so it’s always sealed with a topcoat.
Caring for your finish (short version): Use coasters, trivets, and placemats, and wipe up spills quickly. Keep pieces out of direct sun and away from extreme temperature swings. For oiled pieces, avoid bleach, ammonia, and silicone polishes, and re-oil when the wood looks dry. For polyurethane and lacquer, skip oil soaps and wax, and clean with a barely-damp cloth and a drop of mild dish soap.
Safety note (oil finishes): Oil-soaked rags can catch fire on their own through spontaneous combustion. After use, hang them outside until fully dry, rinse them in cold water, or seal them in an airtight metal container before disposal.
- What is a hand-rubbed oil finish?
- A hand-rubbed oil finish soaks into the wood rather than sitting on top of it, which brings out the grain and gives a warm, natural surface. It’s easy to renew at home, and it’s the finish we give most of our own pieces.
- Do you refinish furniture I already own?
- Yes. Bring us the piece, and we clean it back, repair what needs it, and refinish it by hand. We quote refinishing per piece based on its condition and size.
- Which finish should I choose?
- It depends on the wood, the look you want, and how hard the piece will be used. Oil shows the grain and renews easily; poly and lacquer build a harder film; stain changes color and is sealed with a topcoat. We help you choose.
- How do I care for an oiled piece?
- Use coasters and placemats, wipe spills quickly, and keep it out of direct sun. Avoid bleach, ammonia, and silicone polishes, and re-oil when the wood looks dry. One safety point: oil-soaked rags can combust on their own, so dry them outside or seal them in a metal container before disposal.
Every piece is finished by Giovani Ortega, with more than twenty years working and finishing solid wood by hand. El Nogal is licensed in Maryland.
Need a piece finished or restored?
Tell us what you have, and we’ll bring it back to life by hand.
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