jimcrockett

All you experienced finishers out there -

When finishing a porous wood such as walnut, oak, mahogany, etc. how do you fill the pores? I've read about filling them with finish (shellac, varnish...) and the author always says that after the finish dries to "sand back" to level the finish. However, I have never found a definition of "sanding back". Do you add several coats, then sand through them until you achieve a level finish - doesn't this leave obvious marks on your finished product even if you add an additional coat after "sanding back"?

Please explain this to me. Also, when sanding the finish on a swirling grain pattern, how is it possible to sand "with the grain"?

Thanks,

Jim