I'm working on a walnut tabletop for our dining room and decided to use Waterlox original, planning on around 6 coats brushed on and NOT wiped down followed by a topcoat of Waterlox Satin.

I did not use a grain filler on the walnut, nor did I wet sand with the first coat to fill the pores. I've read thread after thread on techniques, experiences, etc. Read flexner's books, and everything I could on the Waterlox site before I began. I was expecting the finish to level out at some point but after 5 coats brushed on with good oxygen exchange and 24-hours in-between coats, the surface still isn't near level.

So, my question is, should I keep going as some have said, waiting for the finish to level off at some point (I keep reading that 6 coats is some magical number ??), let this coat dry well past 24-hours and wet sand in hopes to level the finish somewhat, of do I sand it down, fill the pores in some way and start over?

Thanks for looking and for your advice.
Ken

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