Water-based finishes raise the grain of wood, leaving a rough surface even after careful sanding. Professional finishers deliberately raise the grain first to prevent this problem in the final finish.
The Simple Process
Wipe your sanded piece with a damp cloth. Let it dry completely. The wood fibers swell and stand up. Sand lightly with fine grit to remove the raised fibers. Now water-based finish goes on smooth.
When to Skip This Step
Oil-based finishes dont raise grain significantly. If youre using polyurethane or Danish oil, grain raising isnt necessary. The technique applies specifically to water-based products.
Common Errors
Using too much water floods the wood and causes problems. A slightly damp cloth works best. Also avoid sanding too aggressively after raising grain as you want to remove just the fuzz, not dig into fresh wood.
This quick step takes five minutes and eliminates that frustrating rough texture in your final finish.
