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Hard to say. What are you trying to do with it? What did it start as? What will it be used for? What do you want it to look like?
You say paint, tho the title asked about sanding. Rubbed on usually refers to clear finishes. Need more info before any help can be given.
I brought this oak kitchen table it had a top coat of polyurethane. on it It started to come off. So I sanded it down now I want a nice light brown color
Make sure you got all the old finish off. You may need to use a stripper to get all the crevasses. Then sand it to get it smooth, using the final sanding of at least 150 grit sandpaper to get it nice and smooth. Vacuum off all the dust. Then go over it again with a tack cloth to pick up ALL the dust and make sure the room you are finishing in is clean and without dust in the air. There are a lot of stains to choose from, altho the water based stains are difficult to control and can easily get blotchy. The stain/finish polyurethane finishes are also an option. I would suggest using a polyurethane finish as it is the most durable finish. (nothing lasts forever). Go over each finish coat with very fine sandpaper to get it smooth before putting on the next coat. 3 coats will probably be fine.
Another viable option is tung oil and that is rubbed on. But tung oil must be reapplied periodically.
Then there is lacquer, rubbed furniture wax, etc. Those choices will be more susceptible to water damage.
I like to use a drywall sanding screen to remove the finish. Sand paper tends to cut into the wood, especially if it is a veneer. The sanding screen will also get it very clean. It will also get it in grooves or cracks if you fold it right. Just tap the edge of the screen on the table to clear the built up dust.
Then very fine sandpaper, something greater than 150 to polish it up a bit.
I don't like painted furniture. An oil based stain or just natural with a new finish. Usually I use poly.
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