This video by Jodee from Inspire Woodcraft. It offers a detailed walkthrough of what it’s like to use Rubio Monocoat for the first time, especially on furniture pieces that feature joinery and visible surface details.
After working with the product for about six months, Jodee shares practical advice, lessons learned, and real-world tips to help other woodworkers avoid mistakes and get the best results from this unique finishing system.
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The Basics of Rubio Monocoat
Rubio Monocoat is a hard wax oil finish that’s gained a lot of attention for its simplicity. Unlike traditional finishes that require multiple coats and long dry times, this one is designed to bond with the wood in a single application.
The process is simple: wipe it on, wipe it off. But as Jodee points out, the final results are only as good as the preparation. Proper sanding and surface prep are critical for a smooth and even finish, especially when working with lighter woods and darker stains.
Sanding Prep Is Everything
Jodee stresses that sanding is the most important step when using Rubio. Minor flaws that might be hidden under polyurethane become obvious with a penetrating finish like this one.
He recommends stopping at 180 grit, which aligns with Rubio’s guidance. Even though some woodworkers are used to sanding to higher grits, 180 allows the finish to properly bond without sealing the wood too tightly.
Using a worn sanding disc on delicate areas can help avoid harsh scratches. Jodee also suggests vacuuming with low suction to prevent the sander from digging into the surface, and following up with a sanding block to level out any remaining marks.
Cleaning the Surface
Once the sanding is complete, it’s time to remove all dust from the surface. Jodee uses a vacuum with a brush attachment to pick up most of the debris and follows up with a small paintbrush for corners and tight joinery details.
For final cleanup, Jodee chooses acetone to wipe down the surface. While Rubio sells a dedicated raw wood cleaner, he’s found that acetone works just as well—if not better—for drawing dust out of open-grain woods.
Using Rubio Pre-Color Easy
For this particular piece, Jodee applied Rubio’s Pre-Color Easy before the oil finish. This water-based pre-treatment adds color to the wood and can help achieve more dramatic tones, but it requires care during application.
Jodee shares a few key takeaways:
- Keep the surface wet and wipe off excess quickly to avoid blotchy results.
- Work fast and evenly to prevent lap marks or dark patches.
- Test the color on scrap wood before applying it to your final piece.
Even with some challenges, he found the pre-color to be useful—but only if you’ve got time to experiment and don’t mind learning through trial and error.
Applying the Oil Plus 2C Finish
After the pre-color dried, Jodee applied Rubio’s Oil Plus 2C finish. This product comes with an optional accelerator, which speeds up cure time. Jodee uses it for most projects to minimize downtime and reduce dust risk.
The oil is applied using a small buffer pad and then wiped away after 10 to 15 minutes. It doesn’t take much—using too much product can actually lead to a gummy or uneven surface.
He recommends cleaning your rags frequently during the process and not overworking the finish. A consistent wiping motion is better than rubbing or buffing too hard, especially around edges and joinery lines.
The Repair Advantage
One of the biggest advantages of Rubio Monocoat is its repairability. If the piece gets scratched or damaged later, you can lightly sand the affected area and reapply the finish without having to strip the whole surface.
This feature makes it especially appealing for furniture pieces that see regular use. Jodee notes that it’s much easier to maintain over time compared to traditional poly finishes.
Lessons Learned and Final Impressions
While the final result wasn’t flawless due to some pre-color issues, Jodee was still happy with the outcome. His son—the recipient of the finished piece—had no complaints, and the unique character of the wood grain still shone through.
Jodee recommends skipping the Pre-Color Easy on early projects and sticking with Rubio’s Oil Plus 2C colors instead. The oil-only approach is more forgiving, easier to control, and delivers excellent results with less risk of visible mistakes.
A Finish Worth Exploring
Rubio Monocoat isn’t the cheapest option, but its time-saving application, natural look, and long-term repairability make it a worthwhile investment. With the right prep and some patience, it can elevate your furniture builds without the hassle of multi-day finishing processes.
Jodee’s honest take shows that even a product with a simple process requires care and experience to master. But once you get a feel for it, the results speak for themselves.
Support Jodee by visiting his online store here: https://inspirewoodcraft.com/collections/all.