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What are the drawbacks of leaving wood unfinished? Question
I've mostly worked with pine wood, because it's cheap and easy to work with. I've had some projects where I finished it (polyurethane coat, sometimes a stain) and other projects where I didn't (just sanded and called it a day).
After a few years, the unfinished pieces seem to be doing okay. They get dirty a bit easier, and are a bit harder to clean (although sanding works), but otherwise I don't mind them. They don't do well if exposed to moisture, but they're fine if kept dry.
However, it seems like real woodworkers tend to finish their pieces (pun not intended :) ). Is there a practical reason for this? If I'm happy with the look and feel of a raw wood piece immediately upon completion, what long term effects would make me regret not putting a finish on it?
1 answer
As you already mentioned in your question, dirt and moisture. A finish makes it easier to wipe dirt off, and prevents it getting into the wood. It also vastly slows the uptake of liquid water and humidity (though any claims that it prevents changes in moisture due to humidity are generally false - it slows down the changes, it does not fully prevent them.)
And if you keep "cleaning" the dirt with sandpaper, the shape and size of the wooden object change, as you are removing the dirt, and the surface of the wood around the dirt, to expose new wood that hasn't got dirt on it - yet.
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