stock sanding and prep

The stock is not ready for iron nitrate application straight out of the box. You will need to scrape or sand the wood to remove any machine marks and prepare the surface. It is generally recommended to sand the stock starting with a coarser grit (like 120 or 150) to remove tool marks, and progressively work your way up to 220 or 320 grit. Be sure to whisk (wet the wood to raise the grain and then sand it back down) before applying the iron nitrate stain to ensure an even finish.