Hi all,

I am very much a beginner at finishing so the answer to this question may be obvious, but I just don't know

When building your wood projects:

1. Under what conditions can wood be left unfinished, i.e., to save time and money?

2. Are there certain conditions that wood *should* be left unfinished?

In regards to question 1: my guess is that the answer to the first question is: when the wood is not visible and will not receive wear. However, I'm curious if that is always true. For example, what about when the wood is subjected to above 50% humidity, like the underside of a bathroom vanity countertop? Also, does it matter what type of wood is being used, i.e., plywood vs. hardwoods vs. softwoods?

I've been building a number of casegoods and this question about finishing has crossed my mind a number of times when I'm finishing the backs of cabinets etc. Right now I'm building a folding table to go over my laundry equipment and I'm wondering about the underside of the countertop and insides of the side support panels (legs).

Thanks for reading!