It should be expected that the first coat of any water-based varnish or wood finish that is applied directly to wood can raise the grain of the wood, and TotalBoat Halcyon is no exception. The water penetrates into the grain, causing it to expand and appear raised as the varnish or wood finish cures. Sanding the bare wood with a finer sandpaper grit prior to applying any wood finish products can help reduce this effect. As subsequent coats are applied, the raised grain will become buried in the finish.