I'm using a tung oil/ varnish finish.
I sanded the wood until smooth with 220 paper. I wet the stock with water to raise the grain. I flooded the wood with thinned finish until it wouldn't take any more. I let that dry 24 hours in a warm and very dry area. I live in the southwest USA.
I've begun wet sanding. The wood isn't absorbing any more finish. I plan to wet sand at least 3-4 times at 24 hour intervals until the pores are filled.


The only constant in life is change.