Sand or not After Water Popping

[R Squared]

I have some white oak pieces I’ve sanded to 120 for mantels, coffee table and bench. I plan to finish with 50/50 mix of Rubio Monocoat Pure and Rubio Monocoat White 5% to maintain a lighter natural look that knocks down the tannins a bit. I plan to water pop and then lightly sand with 120 again to keep a smoother lighter finish with lower penetration. I know white oak is stubborn at taking stain so am I better to go direct from popping to stain without sanding in between? Trying to weigh all the pros and cons.

 

[Darl Bundren]

If it feels prickly after the water pop, sand it again. If not, I'm not sure I'd fool with it. And, I always have to remind my self to be extra attentive to make sure that all the dust is out of the oak pores. Good luck with it!

 

[Wilsoncb]

I just applied RM to some WO. Sanded to 180, no water pop, worked fine. May depend on the wood you have, mine I could see was smooth after 180. I think it was pretty old and dry.

 

[Bill Clemmons]

I always "raise" the grain with water before finishing. Then I do a final sand with the next higher grit. In your case, that would be 150. Sand lightly, just enough to remove the fuzz left by the water.

 

[Craptastic]

I always "raise" the grain with water before finishing. Then I do a final sand with the next higher grit. In your case, that would be 150. Sand lightly, just enough to remove the fuzz left by the water.

Same here. Emphasis on the sanding very lightly to just remove the fuzz. I usually bump to a 220 for that but 150 would do it quicker.

 

[robliles]

Is water popping the same as just raising the grain?

 

[Echd]

Is water popping the same as just raising the grain?

Yes

 

[R Squared]

I just applied RM to some WO. Sanded to 180, no water pop, worked fine. May depend on the wood you have, mine I could see was smooth after 180. I think it was pretty old and dry.

Good to know

 

[R Squared]

I always "raise" the grain with water before finishing. Then I do a final sand with the next higher grit. In your case, that would be 150. Sand lightly, just enough to remove the fuzz left by the water.

Thanks I think I’ll pop and do a light 150 by hand with light pressure

 

[R Squared]

I just applied RM to some WO. Sanded to 180, no water pop, worked fine. May depend on the wood you have, mine I could see was smooth after 180. I think it was pretty old and dry.

Good to know

 

[Willemjm]

You don’t want to loosen new fibers. I use a medium sanding sponge and very light scuff. All you want to do is get rid of the raised fibers. It takes a minute and one or two passes.