wrote in message
oups.com...
Are you saying you go water--light sanding--mineral spirits when
applying varnish? That makes sense, if it works. But why wouldn't an
oil finish require the same treatment? Is it because the oil flows
through any small amount of sawdust *on* the wood and sinks into the
wood?

That is correct.
Oil does not form a film, so any dust just comes off with the oil rag. It
is cleaning and applying at the same time.
Some people like to sand while the oil is fresh, thinking the dust fills
pores; but authorities say it comes out as fast as it goes in.