Let me warn you, high-gloss mirror finishes on wood can be difficult to apply.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to seal and apply your hard work.
This process should help you achieve the high gloss mirror finish that you desire for your woodwork.
Step 1: Prepare the Wood
Every great artist starts with a blank canvas.
Woodworking is not a simple process.
To ensure that the gloss adheres perfectly to your wood, you must prepare it.
Cleanup
Begin by wiping off any dirt, scuffs or dust with a damp cloth.
For any tricky spots, use mild soap (such as dish detergent), but limit your use to very tiny dots if you can.
It is important to clean every surface completely. Even the smallest dust or debris can cloud the finish.
After rinsing, wipe the area with a clean towel. Dry it with a dry cloth.
Sand
Sand the wood once it has dried completely.
Sand wherever you intend to apply the gloss.
You can seal dry areas with painter’s tape if you only require gloss on a small portion of your project.
To prevent gloss from spreading and dripping, you can also use painter’s tape.
To avoid gloss seeping through seams, use multiple layers of overlapping tape. Drop cloths are also useful to prevent sealant from getting into your home.
Select the right grit or paper for your project.
Wood with a finish already applied to it will require medium grit paper. However, unfinished or untreated wood should be able to withstand a finer, softer grit.
You can use a firm, back and forth motion to expose the bare wood. Next, you will need finer grit sandpaper to smoothen the project.
Sand gently in the direction of grain (the flow of the wood)
After smoothing out the wood, use a clean cloth to wipe off any sawdust.
Fill the Grain
After you have sanded and smoothed the surface, it is time to fill in the grain with a high-quality oil or water-based wood grain glue.
This is an important step in achieving a mirror finish on wood varieties such as oak that have open-grained grain.
You can use a paintbrush to fill the grain filler.
Next, use a plastic paint scraper to flatten the surface.
Allow the surface to dry for several more hours before sanding lightly in the direction that the wood grain is.
Step 2: Apply the Undercoats
Make sure to use the best quality brush before you start.
The brush is more effective at applying the gloss and stain to the surface.
Based on the material that will be used to stain the brush, make sure you choose the right type.
This is a synthetic brush that can be used to stain polyurethane-based oils and an oil-based natural brush.
Base
Once your wood has been prepared, you will need to make a base to apply the gloss.
A smooth base layer is crucial to ensure a consistent gloss application. This will allow for the shiny mirror finish that you desire.
Glosse are almost all self-sealable, but some glosses require an undercoat with a wood stain before sealing the top.
As an initial base, you can paint a layer of gloss on the project if your gloss requires a wood stain.
Use even, overlapping strokes and avoid any puddling or large gobs of stain.
Thinned Gloss
You can seal your project with an oil-based gloss before applying the gloss.
Use a paintbrush to apply even coats, using overlapping strokes. Avoid larger quantities of product.
After you have completed all necessary undercoats, it’s time to pour gloss.
Step 3: Apply the Gloss
Once your undercoats are dry, you can paint the gloss finish on the base.
Two coats of undiluted gloss applied with a brush to wood furniture’s surface
To ensure that layers are fully dried, wait 24 hours between coats
Some glosses require light sanding in between coats. Please refer to the label.
To ensure your top coat remains flat and smooth, you can shave off any bumps or uneven spots with a light razor.
Layers can be added until you achieve a glossy finish.
After the project is dry, lightly sand all areas with damp paper.
Do not make the same mistakes twice
Any mistakes you make after applying the varnish, lacquer or other stain should be ignored.
You are not perfect.
Because most stains stick, it can make things worse.
If the spot is very obvious, you have a few options.
Take out any objects that may have been stuck to the stain.
This includes dirt, debris, hair and living creatures, such as a fly.
You can pop bubbles with a pin. This will smoothen the surface.
Step 4: Polishing, Finishing
You don’t finish your work when you are done sanding.
Even after years of display and admiration, wear and tear can still accumulate on projects.
It is therefore important to maintain your project.
These final steps will ensure that your project is in top condition for many years to come.
Polish the Dry Surface
To find the best polishing methods, you can look at your gloss label.
While automotive polish is a good option, wax and water are also options.
Keep polishing until everything is perfect.
Use Wood Conditioner
A wood conditioner is recommended for certain woods like cherry, maple, and Birch.
Once the stain has been applied, a wood conditioner can help to even it out.
This will ensure that the mirror-like finish lasts longer.
The wood conditioner can actually be used before staining to reduce light and dark spots, and maintain a smooth surface.
Dust Your Project Finally
It is essential to dust the finished wood in order to prevent any dirt or debris from building up. This will help protect the mirror’s luster.
Oil soaps and other wood gloss polishes can also help protect the finish.
Avoid using harsh cleaners and strong abrasives, as they can scratch or degrade the finish. Also, avoid water. Water can cause wood to swell and crack the glossy surface.
There you go!
With its mirror gloss finish, your new project will shine and catch the light beautifully. You’ll also have a new hobby that you can share with friends.
For many years, enjoy the stunning results of high gloss, mirror-finish woodwork.
