How can you turn a crappy wood into nice and shinning surface?

Question

say i bought a normal piece of wood from Home depot, how can i turn the wood to make it have that shinning surface and nice touch to it?

Answer 1

some hardwoods can be sanded through progressively finer grits, on up to 800+, to achieve a silky sheen without finish.  But typically you'll sand to 200, then apply either polyurethane or an oil finish, and then continue sanding/polishing to the desired shine.  Polyurethane has a bit of a plasticy look to it, but a rubbed oil finish takes on a rich glow -- the result of copius amounts of elbow grease.

Now that's for hardwoods - from a HomeDepot, typicall Oak, Poplar, and maybe Ash.  Framing lumber won't really clean up well -- although a piece of Redwood or Douglas Fir will, if you can find a piece with a clear, straight grain.

Answer 2

Its alot of work, you have to make sure the wood is straight, you may have to bend it, then you have to sand, sand. sand. Start of with rough grit sand paper and work your way up to finer grits. Start with 80 or 100 and work your way up to 180 or 200. Appy the stain you want wipe it and let it dry. take very fine sand paper and scuff the surface, but dont go deep, just scuff the surface. Wipe it down and apply another coat of stain, this will make the grain pop.. Let that dry and do the same with your polyureathane.