From my experience all the HWO benefited from sanding/denibbing after both coats. The osmo is softer so you can denib very easily with a fairly high grit. Osmo and whittle waxes I found it easier to use a lower grit and really need to get powdery/silky smooth which is a little more work. I dont remove the powder before applying the second coat, it seems to dissolve into the second coat and you dont really notice it