Clear, Varathane Premium Oil-Based Wood Conditioner-211776, 8 fl oz

This prestain was very helpful on several DIY projects around the house. I used it on plywood I cut down for a large towel rack and also on some nightstands that I refurbished. After applying the prestain, I followed up with Varathane stain and had great results. On the coat rack (birch plywood), I did one side with the prestain and one side without and the difference was pretty noticeable. The side with the prestain was way more even and the color was much richer. It also had great coverage in that I barely used any and it covered quite a large area of wood. Would definitely recommend this product, it was well worth the extra step.

It is just what I needed to finish my project. I have pets, so I did not want harsh odors permeating the house. This product worked out great for me. The drying time was quick too.

Extremely effective. Priced fair.

it goes on smooth and levels out perfectly for a great look. very easy to apply, a great choice

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] My husband decided to refinish our little fireplace with it after he prepped the fireplace. He applied it with a sponge brush, and it went on. Great it had great dry time and did not smell up the entire house. It really was a great product. It looks like it's going to be compatible with a bunch of other projects around my house. I did not even use half of the can on this fireplace. So it's a good value.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I just received six half pint cans of Varathane Premium Wood Conditioner, and I'm genuinely excited to use them for some upcoming DIY and furniture refresh projects around the house. First impressions? Super solid. The cans arrived in great shape, and I love that the packaging is straightforward and easy to store. This conditioner is meant to help softer woods like pine, birch, and maple absorb stain more evenly, which is perfect for a few pieces I've been meaning to refinish. I also like that it's a clear formula, so I'll have some flexibility with stain colors depending on the vibe I'm going for. I haven't had the chance to use it just yet, but it's already earned a spot on my DIY shelf. I'll definitely share an update once I put it to the test!

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I loved the results, not the smell. The first two pictures are what the table looked like. Very dried out and an uneven color. This conditioner completely evened out the color. The table looks new. The smell was strong but I was able to air it out quickly. The results are worth it.

Dries quickly, so be quick

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Thanks to Varthane & Influenster for providing me this product in exchange for my honest opinion in this review! So, I was not really sure what to expect from this product, so it took me a while to find a good test project! I used a cheap, sanded pine board. Plenty of open pores & definitely soft! . The product went on easily & smoothly. I just used a regular, average quality brush. Took less than 30 minutes to dry. Then, stained it with a medium toned oil base stain. Turned out very uniform & dried well after the stain application. My only complaint is that it did seem that the stain was a bit lighter than usual. I'm assuming it's where it doesn't soak in as deeply. But, fixed that with a quick second coat of stain & all was well. I'm not sure I would use this regularly, as I've never had trouble with soft wood being resistant to stain. Or really any other issues. So, unless it's a piece I had trouble with, I don't really see any use to start with it.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I used this to paint my dinning table. Very easy to paint and it covered very well. Dry fast. The reason why i gave 3 stars because even after a week i still can smell it, also when i touch the table i can feel a little sticky.