Table top is a mess!~

Question

I have a table top that needs help! I am not sure what to do. As you can see in the pic

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/1885/1001251ud2.jpg

there are many dull spots. There is no gloss on the table, it only looks that way. I sanded the table with a medium grid and then the finest to finish it. I stained it twice. I dont know what to do to get it to shine like other parts of the table do. I do not want to put poly on it. because i tried that already and it only let the parts that already shine look nice. The dull spots just soaked it up.

Answer 1

strip the whole thing down. then sand with medium grit and then fine grit, then use 0000 steel wool. wipe up with a tack cloth. paint on a pre stain wood conditioner, it will help the wood soak in the stain evenly. brush on stain with the grain of the wood, allow to sit for a few minutes to desired color, wipe off excess with paper towels. finish with a high gloss polyurethane, at least 7 coats, sand with fine grit sandpaper between first 5 coats, don't forget to wipe with tack cloth each time, before applying the next coat.

Answer 2

There's a bit of glare and it's too dark to see what you're talking about, but I can tell you that you need to refinish the whole surface.  You can't "spot treat" it.

Answer 3

Sand the table down and recoat it