Hello. I'm new here, but am not new to woodworking (got back into it after a long hiatus).
I am finishing a coffee table that I built from quatersawn red oak. I have always used either linseed oil or french polish shellac, but wanted a bit more protection for this tabletop so I got some brush on water-based polyurethane/acrylic (flat/matte). Testing the finish on a scrap of rift sawn red oak went fine, so I proceeded with the tabletop (which is sanded evenly to 220grit). However, as I was finishing it was apparent that tiny pieces of grain were lifting up all over the piece, something I haven't had happen before. Now the previously smooth surface feels "fuzzy".
Thoughts? Will things end up OK with some light sanding between coats? Should I sand this off and just go back to BLO? Should I have wet-sanded the oak first? Does it need a filler?
Thanks!
Clayton