Controlling grain raising is key for achieving a flawless wood finish—especially on fine furniture, cabinetry, or any high-end project. Grain raising happens when wood fibers swell after contact with water-based products (like water-based stains, dyes, or finishes), leaving the surface rough. Here's how to control or eliminate it effectively:
🔧 Step-by-Step: How to Control Grain Raising
1. Pre-Raise the Grain ("Water-Pop")
Why: Intentionally raise the grain so you can sand it back down before finishing.
- How to do it:
- Lightly mist the wood surface with clean water using a spray bottle or damp cloth.
- Let it dry fully (30–60 mins depending on humidity).
- You’ll feel a rough surface once dry—this is the raised grain.
- Sand the surface lightly with 220–320 grit sandpaper. Don't oversand or you’ll cut below the raised fibers and repeat the cycle.
2. Use the Right Sandpaper Grit
- Sand to 180 or 220 grit before water-popping. Going finer than that before water-popping may prevent the grain from raising properly, and you'll just have to do it again.
3. Choose Finish Carefully
- Solvent-based finishes (oil-based polyurethane, shellac, lacquer) do not raise grain like water-based products.
- Water-based finishes will always raise grain to some extent unless the wood is pre-raised.
4. Conditioning with Shellac (Optional)
- A thin coat of dewaxed shellac (like a 1-lb cut) before applying a water-based finish can help seal the fibers and reduce grain raising.
5. Light Touch Between Coats
- With water-based finishes, always do a light scuff sand (320 grit or pad) between coats to knock down any additional raised grain or dust nibs.
⚠️ Tips & Warnings
- Don’t skip the drying time after water-popping—sanding too soon can gum up the paper and tear fibers.
- Avoid excessive water; just dampen the surface, don't soak it.
- Always test your process on a scrap piece of the same wood before final application.
