How to Make My Computer Desk Glossy

Remove the doors, drawers and hardware, such as hinges, drawer pulls and door handles, from the desk. Place the doors and drawers on a clear workspace and set the hardware aside.

Strip the original finish from the wood. Pour a small amount of varnish stripper on a clean cloth, then blot the wood with it. Let the stripper soak into the wood for about 5 minutes--you will notice the old finish start to bubble and peel.

Scrape up the old finish with a plastic putty knife or 0000-grade steel wool. If necessary, add more solvent to the wood and allow it to soak for a longer period of time. Continue scraping and scrubbing until the old finish is completely gone.

Clean the wood with trisodium phosphate. Use 1/4 cup of trisodium phosphate for every 1 gallon of hot water. Wipe the wood clean with a cloth soaked in this solution. Rinse the wood with clean water and a fresh cloth. Allow the wood to dry.

Stain the wood with a wood stain of your choice. Mix the stain as directed, then paint the stain on with a paintbrush or cloth--always apply with the grain. When you finish applying the stain, wipe the wood with a fresh cloth to absorb the excess stain.

Apply a glossy protective topcoat. Shellac and lacquer are known for their glossy finish, but they are not particularly durable. Polyurethane is much more durable and is available in a glossy finish.

Paint the protective topcoat of your choice onto the wood with a foam or lamb's wool applicator--these special applicators won't leave brush marks like paintbrushes do. Allow the topcoat to dry.

Lightly sand the protective topcoat with a fine-grade sandpaper. Wipe the dust from the wood, and then apply another coat. Repeat this process to apply three to five coats--apply more coats if your desk sees heavy use.