WOP - Question on sanding between coats

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

[Hermit]

Personally I would be more inclined to use 600 or 800 grit for the rub-back to make sure there is plenty of roughened surface for the poly to adhere to. Keep the 1200 and above for finishing the finish ie: keep it for after the final application of poly and after it has had plenty of time to cure. I would leave it a week before hitting it with the 1200 and above.
Cheers - Neil

Thanks Neil. From now on, I'll go with the 600 or 800g between coats.

Meanwhile, this time I used 1200 between coats, then masked over it with Norton masking tape last night after 28 hours curing and sprayed the adjoining area. (Too tricky for a nice wipe-on coat.)
When the sprayed coat was about half dry I unmasked carefully and had no lifting at all, so thankfully I got away with 1200 this time. I still have another coat or two to apply, so I'll use 600 now.

I'll definitely let it cure for a week before rubbing with 1200 & waxing, because I've had trouble in that area in the past with dull spots when hard rubbing to buff the wax.

Edit: I did the masking before you posted your last reply. When it's necessary to mask over a coat, is it also best to wait a week, or go with the '24 hours before normal use' suggested on the label? (I'm learning not to place 100% faith in what the labels say, at this point.)