On most of the can of Poly it says to re-coat within a 2 hour time frame.
More importantly, it also states that if you miss that window, you have to
wait 72 hours before sanding and recoating.

I wait the 72 hours, sand with 400 - 600 wet using mineral sprits as a
lubricant, dry, wipe with a clean lint-free towel dampened with mineral
sprits let dry then re-coat. I probably would not go to that much trouble
for a kitchen cabinet however. I would put on two or three coats all within
the 2 hour time frame. Let dry for a few days, touch up bad areas with 600
or 000 steel wool and spray(can) recoat.

Dave



wrote in message
...
Ok this is my first furniture piece so forgive my ignorance. I made
a kitchen island out of cherry and finished it with Olympic oil
based "Natural" stain (pretty much a clear stain)and then put on my
first coat of polyurethane. I am going to let that dry overnite, but
I hear several instructions on "sanding between coats". Does this
mean sanding with an orbital sander with what grit paper? something
like 600 grit? Also how many coats of polyurethane should I use?
thanks!!