Filling the pores...

[no guns here]

I read about "filling the pores" but not sure if I'm doing good or should be doing more.

Of course I'm looking for the smoothest finish possible or maybe that's "the smoothest finish possible without stupid amounts of effort".

Current process involves sanding smooth with 220 (that's the best we currently have in our woodshop).  I know that finer grit will help some with this.

Then I wipe the dust and blow it off with compressed air.  I then wipe with a light coat of water.  Wait an hour or so and sand again.  I do this two or three times.

The next day I usually come back and put the first coat of oil finish on it.  I wait for it to soak in and "dry" and then I sand lightly again.

After wiping and using the air again... my final oil coats go on.  After each is "dry" I hand rub vigorously with soft cotton cloth like an old t-shirt.


My finish comes out pretty good with little if any ability to feel "joints".  The surface is smooth but what can I do to make it "better" without putting in dozens of more hours?


NGH

[GRIMJIM]

I rubbed the "filler" coats with extrafine steel wool instead of sandpaper. Against the grain.

I've never had to wet the wood to raise the grain, though I do put a couple of coats of oil finish on it. The last grips I did, which were ebony, had three coats of oil finish rubbed down and a final coat.

Make sure to leave it dry completely per the instructions. It's hard to wait, believe me I know. But if you don't you are actually hindering yourself. The first grips I ever made, I didn't wait long enough and it seemed like it took 20 coats to fill the grain.

The final coat I do the same as you. Polish it with a soft cloth.

[Gerry N.]

Giving hard and fast instructions is difficult.  The finishing technique depends on what species of wood you're using and what you're trying to finish it with.

Tell me that and I can help.   Maybe.

Gerry N.