This is my first woodworking project.
I made an activity desk for my kids out of some reclaimed red oak. The main activity will be drawing so I want the top to be super smooth. I know now red oak was probably the wrong choice but the desk is built.
I read quite a few posts and even a couple books about finishing and because I couldn't find any wood pore filler on the island I thought that I would just build up the coats of poly, then sand it flat.
The problem is that I've now done 6 coats and it doesn't feel remotely flat. The grain pattern still feels super indented.
Is it time to sand? Do I just keep adding more poly? I'm assuming it is too late to add wood pore filler.
The products I've used thus far are:
-Minwax wood conditioner
-Minwax wood finish ebony penetrating stain. 3 coats.
-Minwax Clear Satin Fast-Drying Polyurethane Interior Wood Protective Finish. I did a super light 320# sanding after the 1st and 2nd coat. The close up picture is after the 6th coat.
The finish has been curing for about a week so I'm ready to either start sanding or keep building up more layers of poly.
Not at all sure what to do at this point.
BTW, my plan was to sand flat, add one more coat of poly (might not be necessary), then rub out the finish with paste wax and 0000 steel wool after the finish has cured.
Photo Nov 19, 3 02 23 PM.jpg
Photo Nov 19, 3 02 44 PM.jpg