Hello All,

I'm going to be staining and finishing a red oak project (Glued up bar top). However I want to fill the grain on the red oak so that it is smooth in the end. (I don't like the look of epoxy, looking for a satin final finish).
I'm about to start testing stains to see what I like. I picked up some Enduro Gel, Water, and Oil based stains to try, and was going to see how Aquacoat worked as a grain filler. https://aquacoat.com/products/clear-grain-filler

The manufacturer instructions indicate to stain first then seal coat, then do grain filler. Anyone know if it matters what kind of stain I use? I was wanting to go with an oil base to prevent the fuzzy grain raising of waterbase stain.

Anyone have any other recommendations for grain filling? (Bearing in mind that I want to stain the wood), or sequence?