I have used sanding sealer in the past to get a smooth, sealed surface before varnishing (I usually use rub-on polyurethane). I have had mixed results, however, with respect to the final quality of the finish and getting a natural look out of the wood grain.
To educate myself a little bit on when and why to use it, I was hoping to get some feedback from the folks at the Creek. Any help you can give me in getting answers to these questions would be appreciated!
1. What is sanding sealer for, and why isn't it a more common topic of discussion on the woodworking forums?
2. How is sanding sealer best used and under what circumstances do you get the best results?
3. What finishes are most compatible (i.e. give the best results) when following sanding sealer?