Finishing
A wood finish is a surface treatment such as oil, wax, lacquer or varnish.
It changes colour, sheen, feel and resistance to dirt or liquid. Preparation and maintenance matter as much as the product name.
Finish can also mean the act of applying the treatment. It should not be confused with a finished piece of furniture.
More terms
A finished surface has received its final sanding and intended protective treatment.
Rough-sawn wood retains the surface left by the saw and has not been planed smooth.
Flattening removes high areas until one broad face lies in a plane, then brings the other face parallel.
Planing cuts a thin layer from wood to make a face or edge smoother and more accurate.