How to Get a High Gloss Paint Job on Wood

Lay down plastic covering over the work area to protect the ground and other items from paint and saw dust. Fasten the plastic covering to the ground or walls with painter's tape.

Sand down the wooden item with 600-grit sand paper. Buff the entire surface using circular motions. Continue the process until the entire surface has a smooth surface. You can also use 400-grit sand paper here, but finer grit produces a smoother and better high-gloss finish. Wipe away any excess dust with a brush.

Apply car polish to a clean rag and apply directly onto the wood using circular motions. The car polish reduces dull areas in the wood created during the sanding process. This, in turn, helps increase the high-gloss effect of the oil paint.

Apply the first layer of oil-based paint with a small mohair roller. These rollers leave behind a minimum amount of stroke marks, a necessary feature in high gloss paint jobs since any obvious imperfections in the paint or wood detract from the gloss. Wait for the first layer of paint to dry for at least 24 hours.

Return to the wooden object and apply another layer of oil-based paint using the same method as before. Again, allow the second layer of paint to dry for 24 hours before applying another layer. Continue this process until the wooden object has the high-gloss look you want.

Apply a single layer of high-gloss finish with a clean mohair roller. Use straight strokes for an even application.