If you hate sanding as much as I do then listening to someone suggest more sanding is a real turn off! But this is a simple process that is well worth the effort and probably saves sanding in the long run. When dry wood meets moisture (like paint, water lacquer or urethane) it naturally wants to soak it up. As it does, the wood will rise but unfortunately this will not happen evenly across the wood. So if you don't raise the grain and sand back down before you put a finish on, your work will look like you never sanded to begin with. Once you get your work shaped the way you want finish sanding down to about 220 grit paper. Then take a rag wet with water and slightly ring it out to the point where it is good and moist but not dripping. Wipe this on all areas of your project but keep in mind you just want to moisten the wood, not get it wet. You can also do this with a mister filled with water. Wait about 5 minutes and your wood should look dry and you'll be able to see where the grain has risen. Following basic finishing sanding guide lines (like using a flat block for flat areas...) sand that sucker back down with about 220 grit sandpaper (hopefully you bought decent sandpaper, the cheap stuff is not worth the time). For some woods this may be enough but depending on the type of wood you use and how dry it was to start, you may need to repeat this process 2-3 more times. You should quickly get to a point where the grain does not rise any more. Now you can continue to finish your project whether it is a high gloss mirror finish or a natural satin glow, you will be glad you took a few extra minutes.