The Stevens Story

Stevens Wood Polish has been made in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, for more than 100 years.

It was developed by George Stevens, a successful painting contractor and master finisher. His formula combines oils with spirits that penetrate and enrich the wood, drying quickly while leaving little or no film on the surface. It can be used on bare wood and is compatible with shellac, polyurethane, and varnish finishes. A small amount of wax adds a mellow luster to floors, millwork and furniture.

For generations, Stevens Wood Polish was packaged in glass jars, allowing customers to see the warm, amber glow of the “liquid gold” inside.

George Stevens sold his paint store to Glen Ellis. Glen, his sons Keith and Durward, and Durward’s wife, Kay, continued making and selling Stevens Wood Polish according to the original formula for the next 70 years.

Durward passed away in 2026. Stewardship of the formula and the right to produce Stevens Wood Polish has passed to Mark Desrochers. Mark brings a lifetime of experience with wood and traditional finishes. He spent a decade applying oils and varnishes to fine yachts in the Caribbean before founding a successful Vermont wood-products company whose work reached customers including Procter & Gamble, Disney, and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre.

To meet modern shipping and handling requirements, Mark is transitioning Stevens Wood Polish from its traditional glass jars to metal cans. The container and the label may be changing, but the product remains what it has always been: a time-tested formula, faithfully made for the care and preservation of wood.