Bed is very sturdy, made of solid, well-sanded wood.  Exposed surfaces are clear.  I did not like the raw wood look, so I finished it with 3 coats of minwax polyshades (walnut).  This is a tinted urethane and not stain, so no worries about blotchiness reported with tulip wood.  May be difficult to assemble headboard pieces because the pegs have a tight fit.  I used two cargo straps to bring the pieces together nice and tight before fastening with the wood screws.