Raised grain after staining or finishing

Likely causes

The causes the most sources give come first.

1. Water lifts the wood fibers, and water-based stains and finishes raise the grain more than oil-based ones.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 3]

2. The Wood Handbook says planing can crush the soft earlywood under the dense latewood bands, especially in flat-sawn southern pine, and that the crushed wood springs back when it gets wet.

   One source: USDA Forest Products Laboratory, the federal reference on wood and how it takes a finish , sources [2]

How to tell which

1. Wet a spot of the bare wood and let it dry. If it feels rough, the grain raises.

   Two sources: USDA Forest Products Laboratory and General Finishes , sources [2, 1]

The fix

1. Once the first coat is dry, sand it lightly smooth, remove the dust and carry on with the next coat.

   3 sources agree , sources [3, 1, 2]

Next time

1. Raise the grain on purpose before finishing: wipe the wood with a damp cloth or mist it with water, let it dry, then sand lightly. General Finishes uses 180 to 220 grit and says not to sand through the raised layer.

   Two sources: General Finishes and USDA Forest Products Laboratory , sources [1, 2]

Often comes with

• Blotchy stain
• Cracking or crazing

The finishes it applies to: water-based polyurethane, wood stain, lacquer. Every other problem: the finish troubleshooter.