There are three main components that create a quality finish when selecting wood furniture. Each one of these steps involves its own quality assurance. If any step is not done properly, the integrity of the finished look will be ruined.
The first step is sanding. The furniture manufacturer may do a great job during the different steps that go into completing a piece of wood furniture, but if there are traces of roughness or sanding across the wood grain, the stain and finish will only emphasize these problems. The sections of the beginning surface that is not sanded properly will absorb more stain.
There are many types of furniture that either fully consist of or have elements of wood: dining chairs, couches, recliners, etc. Ask your local interior design expert to help you check for adequate sanding. Make sure to look at the finish at different angles. Signs of poor sanding are finishes that are blotchy, cloudy or have dark lines running across the grain.
The second step is staining. A good stain enhances the natural beauty of wood. There are many different stain colors to choose from. One of the most important rules of staining is applying it evenly. If the stain is not applied evenly, there will be dark spots where there is more stain. Some designers will add extra color to make furniture look old or even hit the surface of the furniture with a chain to make dents and nicks. This is called distressing.
The last step is finishing. A high-quality finish is satiny smooth free of dust specks, bubbles and rough spots. Most designers in furniture stores will cover their hand with a nylon and run it over the finish. If the nylon catches or snags, the piece of furniture has not been sanded properly. Finishing furniture will help to reduce chances of the wood swelling or shrinking giving the consumer a piece of furniture that will last a lifetime.