When you strip the finish, or, if you sand, it will make wood fibre stand up like whiskers. You can't see it, but they are there. Lot of ways to get the whiskers gone. Some old timers use a smooth chunk of antler to take them down. Some will buff the wood. Lots of ways.
I have to respectfully disagree with the Poobs on the steel wool thing. Anymore it seems to come apart and leave fibres in the finish. High quality 3M pads seem better, for me anyway.
Not sure what to do about the oil soaked wood?

R.

You can run, but you'll just die tired.