We have grandkids from ages 33 to7 and great-grandkids from ages 13 to 3.
The last 3 weeks we were traveling and when I arrived in Visalia, CA I was asked to help a grandson produce his Pinewood Derby entry. I had our grandson sketch the overall design. The next day we visited the church pastor, also a woodworker, and I borrowed a sharp handsaw and a sanding block. Locally I purchased sandpaper, spray paint and painters tape.
When I got to finish, I must have sprayed 6 coats of spray paint, let it dry and the result was the grain of the wood just became more pronounced. Then I slapped my forehead. We drove to the local HD, purchased a quart of sanding sealer, applied two coats lightly sanding afterwards. Then I sprayed two coats of paint, taped for the contrasting color and sprayed the contrasting color. The results was what I wanted.
I have an end table on my assembly table I need to complete. My wife limits me pretty much to red oak and I always struggle finishing it. Now, I am going to start using a sanding sealer on my finishing samples to see how it affects the stains prior finishing the projects.