<< Looks like you smoothed the cast's surface a bit. Did you use fine sandpaper, steel wool, or something else? >>

Not much, but I used fine grade emory board and the polishing side to buff out some sheen. Also, you can see some smoothing in the transitional area between wood & casting. Used a Dremel tool there.

As for wood finishing, I learned a long time ago if that wood is sanded almost to it's finishing state and then wetted, the grain is raised. Repeat sanding and wetting until the grain no longer rises. This could be 6-12 times, but once done it makes for a very refined surface.