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Finishes & Coatings

Built to protect the wood, not bury it.

Finish Types & Applications

The right finish depends on the wood, the use, and the life it has to handle.

Finish Type
Core Composition
Appearance & Feel
Environmental Rating
Ideal Wood & Use Case
Water-Based Wood Finish
Waterborne acrylic and waterborne polyurethane.
Matte or satin finish, clear film, preserves natural wood texture.
Ultra-low VOC system available; specify EPA/CARB-compliant formulas where required.
All indoor solid wood and veneer furniture; our standard residential option.
Wood Wax Oil
Natural plant oils and plant-based waxes.
Full matte, open-pore, raw wood hand feel.
Low-to-zero VOC depending on formula; food-contact-safe options can be specified.
Black walnut, teak, and premium species where a natural raw-wood aesthetic is preferred.
Polyurethane (PU) Finish
Polyurethane resin.
Full-bodied film with high hardness, scratch resistance, and wear resistance.
Low-VOC options available; pair with CARB Phase 2 compliant panels where engineered substrates are used.
High-use surfaces including tabletops, seat edges, cabinet fronts, and family-use furniture.
Outdoor Weather-Resistant Finish
Modified acrylic or exterior-grade waterborne polyurethane with UV absorbers.
Matte finish, UV-stabilized, designed to slow aging and fading.
Can be specified with ASTM D4587 accelerated-weathering test data for exterior use.
Teak and other outdoor furniture exposed to sun, humidity, and seasonal weather changes.

Note: Finish performance depends on surface preparation, film thickness, curing, maintenance, and exposure conditions. Environmental ratings should be verified against the exact finish system used for production.

Core Performance Standards

Every approved finish must resist wear, light, moisture, and time.

Metric
Target
Verification
Meaning
Film Hardness
Indoor H or higher; outdoor HB or higher.
Pencil hardness test on the cured finish film.
Helps the surface resist daily scratches, pressure marks, and repeated handling.
Chemical Resistance
100+ rub cycles against water, coffee, and alcohol exposure.
Surface resistance test under the stated production test method.
Reduces visible marking, discoloration, and everyday liquid damage on frequently used furniture surfaces.
Yellowing Resistance
ΔE ≤ 3.0 after 200 hours of accelerated UV aging.
Accelerated UV exposure test for light-colored finish systems.
Helps pale oak, ash, maple, and light veneers keep their intended tone over time.
Adhesion
Cross-cut adhesion Grade 0.
Cross-cut test on the cured coating system.
Supports long-term film bonding and reduces peeling or flaking during normal use.
Environmental Limits
Low-VOC systems can be specified at ≤50 g/L.
Supplier documentation for VOCs, restricted heavy metals, and benzene-series compounds.
Keeps finish selection aligned with residential indoor-air expectations and applicable material restrictions.

Note: Exact results depend on wood species, surface preparation, coating thickness, curing conditions, and the finish system selected for production.

Application Process

  • Standard: 3 primer + 2 top coat process.
  • Upgraded: 4 primer + 3 top coat for custom premium orders.
01

Raw Sanding

Progressive sanding from 180 to 240 to 320 grit removes burrs and opens a smooth, consistent wood surface.

02

Sealer Coat

One sanding-sealer coat helps block wood moisture and natural oils, reducing the risk of discoloration.

03

Build Coats

Two filler-primer coats are applied, with 400-grit sanding between coats for a perfectly smooth base.

04

Top Coats

Two top coats are sprayed in a dust-free, temperature-controlled booth for uniform film thickness and no runs or orange peel.

05

Curing

The finish is cured for 48 hours in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room for full film hardness development.

FIND YOUR PIECE

Explore our finished pieces, or try Second Quote for a reference design you already love.

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