If using the slurry as a filler let sit for a few minutes and rub against the grain with a piece of burlap cloth and then lightly with the grain using the same cloth which should be filled with slurry. This helps keep the cloth from removing the slurry from the filled grain. If not filling the grain, use a cotton cloth saturated with the finish and rub the piece well, removing as much residue as possible. For steel wool, rub the wood vigorously with a dry pad of 00. The idea is to polish the finish filled wood.
Steel wool is unique in that it both cuts and burnishes the wood.
Some prefer to use abrasive pads but they will not burnish and consequently will not give the same polish. Rubbing hard will give a better polish as the wool quickly looses its edge and begins burnishing. You will find that every time you turn the pad it seems to cut better, this is because new edges have been exposed. Learning to use this knowledge is a good idea as you can control when it cuts and when it polishes. Next brush and vacuum the piece well then rub down with a cotton cloth, cheesecloth polishing cloths or old t-shirts work well.