Just my two cents. I have had good results by sanding a slurry with some rottenstone sprinkled in to make a thicker slurry. I sand in a circular motion and when the slurry starts to get real thick I use a motel room card (like a credit card but thinner and more plyable) and squeege it across the grain. Not with the grain as this tends to help pull the slurry out of the pores.
I let dry at leas 8 hours and sand back to the wood. I do this manufactured slurry at least four times before I look into the pores with a magnifing device(at least 10 power) and go on form there with stain, finish etc.
Regards, Gordon
