Q: We've had some shrinkage problems with our finished items. How can this be?
A: A finish slows the moisture movement, but doesn't stop it. Multiple coats of some finishes provide better protection (better slowing) than other finishes.
If the initial MC is incorrect, a finish will not prevent moisture related problems. Incidentally, a slow uptake or loss of moisture is less of a problem than a rapid increase or loss. However, many finishes are so thin that they do very little good at all in slowing the moisture change.
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