THE FIRST STEP IS TO SAND THE PIECE TO GET A NICE SMOOTH SURFACE.
THEN USE A DAMP CLOTH TO REMOVE THE SANDING DUST. THIS WILL TAKE OFF THE DUST AND RAISE THE GRAIN OF THE WOOD.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE WATER IN YOUR FINISH WILL RAISE THE GRAIN, WHICH IS HARDER TO DEAL WITH.
AS THE SURFACE DRIES YOU'LL SEE LITTLE BURRS OR WHISKERS RAISE OUT OF THE SURFACE, USE A PIECE OF TWO-TWENTY GRIT SANDPAPER TO REMOVE ALL OF THOSE LITTLE BURRS.
THEN CLEAN UP WITH ANOTHER DAMP CLOTH OR AN ELECTROSTATIC TACK CLOTH. DON'T USE A TREATED TACK CLOTH OR STEEL WOOL WITH WATER BASED FINISHES BECAUSE THEY CAN LEAVE BEHIND RESIDUE THAT WILL INTERFERE WITH THE FINISH.
A TIP, I LIKE TO USE A FOAM BRUSH TO APPLY WATER BASED FINISHES BECAUSE THEY LEAVE A NICE EVEN SURFACE BEHIND.
FINALLY MAKE SURE YOU ONLY USE THESE FINISHES IN CONTROLLED TEMPERATURES NO HIGH HUMIDITY AND NOTHING COLDER THAN FIFTY DEGREES! EASY TIPS FOR WATER BASED FINISHES. I'M MRS. FIXIT AND IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE.
