Top portion is finished with water-base urethane; bottom with oil-modified polyurethane.

Appearance

Color: Heartwood varies from yellow-brown to dark golden brown; turns rich brown under exposure to sunlight. Sapwood is a lighter cream color.
Grain: Straight; coarse, uneven texture.
Variations within species and grades: Moderate to high color variation.

Properties
Hardness(Janka): 1000; 22% softer than Northern red oak.
Dimensional Stability: Excellent (change coefficient .00186; 50% more stable than red oak).
Durability: Strength values are similar to those of American oak.

Workability
Sawing/Machining: Moderate ease in working with hand and machine tools; silica in wood dulls tools quickly: carbide tooling is recommended.
Sanding: Clogs abrasives; frequent sandpaper changes are required.
Nailing: Good holding ability.
Finishing: Natural oils may interfere with adhesion and drying of some finishes. To reduce the wood’s tendency to repel finish coats, surface resins may be removed with a solvent that is compatible with the finish to be used.
Comments: Has an oily feel. Unique in that it does not cause rust or corrosion when in contact with metal. Respiratory and dermatological allergic potential.