So I gave it a good hard scrub back with a wire brush today. It didn’t take as much black off as I was hoping so I gave it a sand back and it’s starting to get to where I want it. The fire and the brush really opened up the grain and gave it an awesome texture. Something I will be using in wood work more often now. Sanding flattens it out but I might give it another brush once it’s all done.
Much more sanding to be done, much more beer to drink.