Latewood is made up of small cells produced in the late part of the growing season and is slightly darker than earlywood, a feature that a clear finish highlights. But when stained, earlywood absorbs more pigment than latewood, appears darker, and reverses its natural contrast. This might surprise you if you didn't know it was going to happen. And bare wood might as well be a magnet for dust and dirt. Dust can and will settle into the pores of wood and be all but impossible to remove.
Water can leave permanent stains and raise the surface grain.
Humidity can swell wood, or it can suffer the ravages of time and dry out, shrink, warp, and crack if it isn't protected with some sort of coating. In addition to cleaning the surface with mineral spirits and hand-wiping it to remove dust, Johannes Boonstra, technical advisor for Akzo Coatings Inc., recommends using a vacuum cleaner. David Anderson, president of Decorators Service Co. in Wayzata, MN, agrees. If you use a tack cloth, remember that its purpose is to pick up dust particles. Each wood has its unique characteristics and look.