What Do You Put on Wood to Make It Shine?

Polyurethane

• Polyurethane is a good choice to increase the shine of unfinished wood. The type of polyurethane you should use is dependent on the environment that the wood piece will be exposed to. Shellac is appropriate for light use environments that will not be exposed to water or intense sun. Lacquer is a version of polyurethane that must be applied to wood surfaces with a sprayer and is appropriate for all indoor and outdoor uses. Varnish is a good choice for areas that experience high wear and is extremely durable for both indoor and outdoor uses. Polyurethane is a semi-permanent product that can only be removed through a fairly labor intensive process.

Furniture Polish

• Furniture polish is appropriate for both finished and unfinished wood surfaces. You can make your own furniture polish from naturally occurring items, such as fruit and mineral oils, or purchase a commercially produced one from your local hardware store. Clean the surface of the wood before you apply the polish, and buff the polish into the surface of the wood to ensure an even shine. Furniture polish does not provide a long lasting shine and must be reapplied every 7 to 10 days.

Paste Wax

• Paste wax can be used on both finished and unfinished wood surfaces. Through it does not have any protective qualities to guard your wood against water or sun exposure, it does provide a satin sheen that will last for 10 to 14 days after application. A paste that is a mixture of bee's wax and carnauba wax works best. To apply paste wax, clean your wood surface first, and apply a thin layer of the wax. Once the entire area is coated, buff the wax off of the surface to create a satin shine.

Oil-based Cleaners

• Oil based cleaners that are a mixture of naturally occurring oils are effective at cleaning your wood surfaces and will leave them with a light shine. You can use oil-based cleaners on both finished and unfinished surfaces. Apply a thin coat of the cleaner to your wood surfaces, and wipe the area clean with a microfiber cloth. You need need several applications to get the shine on your surfaces even. Oil-based cleaners can only provide a temporary shine that will last for approximately four to seven days. Many commercially produced oil-based cleaners are available, such as Murphy's Oil Soap or Howard's Orange Oil Soap.