How do I get a high gloss finish on my wood craft?

I've painted a wood doll with artist acrylic paint. To finish it, i applied 2 coats of a semi-gloss polyurethane spray. The result is not glossy enough. What can i do to create a smooth high gloss finish on top of what I've already done?How do I get a high gloss finish on my wood craft?
Sand it with 400 grit paper, then apply layers of gloss polyurethane on it, sanding lightly with the 400 in between coats. Put on as many coats as needed to get the shine your looking for, and do not sand your final coat.The sanding knocks off the little roughness, and gives a surface for the next layer of finish.How do I get a high gloss finish on my wood craft?
First, you used a *spray* finish which will never be as shiny (and thick) as the liquid version. In fact, clear acrylic spray is often used just to quickly seal something that otherwise would be non-permanent.





Secondly, you used a *semi-gloss* finish instead of a gloss one which generally wouldn't be as shiny.





So definitely brush on either a water-washup gloss polyurethane finish (sold for bare wood in hardware stores, etc) like perhaps Varathane --a foam brush is good for not leaving streak marks. Or brush on a clear acrylic sealer you buy at at craft or hobby store (various brands).


Or you can even buy an ';acrylic medium'; in the gloss version at a craft/art store, or apply a permanent white glue thinned 3-4 to 1 which will dry clear and glossy --or ModPodge/Royal Coat (those last two won't be quite as unscratchable as the polyurethane though).


If the item is small, you can also use clear fingernail polish, but the acrylic version would probably be best.


There are other things you could use, but those would be the easiest to find and use.





P.S. You can apply any of those on top of the spray acrylic... just make sure anything you use dries thoroughly before adding more.





P.P.S. You don't *need* any finish on top of acrylic paint and most will dry glossy by themselves, but you can use it on top of the paint too.








Diane B.
head over to the home depot and pick up some fast drying gloss polyurathane. it comes in a can and you brush it on. brush on a few layers and it will look like it is still wet when it dries because it is so glossy. the problem with the can is that it doesnt apply enough coating to give it that shinny luster.
You can buy sprays at Home Depot etc. that are made especially for delicate stuff like this. I'm not sure if you're wanting to use a liquid, but if possible, use clear NAIL POLISH! I've used nail polish for sooo many things and I promise, it will make it glossier than ice over a mirror! (very glossy). Nail polish even works better than those special spray on products!... but I'm not sure if you'd want to use that on wood... I've never tried. Good luck! : )
try high gloss polyurethane, but not too heavy.
I use a product called Mod Podge. You can find it as Joannes or Michaels. It is non-toxic and isn't stinky like the stuff you would find at Home Depot. It comes in high gloss or matte finish. The stuff is really easy to use!