Replies

1. 
   SteveSchoene | Jan 01, 2010 12:30am | #1

   You can use a film finish to obtain a glossier sheen. Oil based varnishes will work--I'd suggest another resin than polyurethane for best results. Additives allow varnish to be available in many sheens, and you can intermix sheens within a varnish brand to generate the sheen you want. If you use a wiping varnish you can move up to the desired sheen and still leave a quite thin film on the surface. It won't be the "in-the-wood" look of the Danish Oil, though.

   You can also use shellac, whose natural sheen is high gloss,but which can be rubbed to any desired sheen.

   Lacquer will adhere to an oil varnish finish, but it should be well cured since the stronger solvents of lacquer could on occasion have a negative impact. But if you spray the first coat "dry" you will likely be OK. If there were any doubt I'd probably use a coat of shellac as a barrier just to be sure.

2. 
   zgmc | Jan 01, 2010 01:43pm | #2

   How many coats of oil did you apply? The sheen will become glossier with each additional application. I have had success wet sanding subsequent coats. Start with 400 grit and work your way up to 1000 if needed.