Therefore, you typically get better clarity and color when at least a satin or semi-gloss sheen is selected as a finish coat over dark stains.
Polyurethane Wood Finish
Water-based polyurethane dries quickly and can be used on bare, stained or painted wood. It provides a clear, natural sheen that does not yellow with age.
The satin sheen is the most popular finish for hardwood floors. This hardwood floor sheen has about 40% luster and is easy to keep clean. This level of sheen disperses light and doesn't show all of the imperfections or dirt.
The common sheen levels are 10, 30 and 80. 10 is an eggshell finish. 30 is satin. And 80 is gloss.
In terms of practicality though, Satin ends up lasting or looking better for a longer period of time than semi-gloss does. The reason for that is that the shinier you go, the more it shows the dents and scratches, as well as the dirt. So satin is the most popular and it also the most practical option.
Practicality. While a high gloss polyurethane finish holds greater visual appeal, its slippery nature often makes it impractical for household use. It's more frequent in commercial settings. Semi-gloss and satin urethanes are favored in homes because they offer less slipperiness.
People don't ask for gloss much nowadays, it's usually satinwood. Gloss tends to turn yellow too quickly when used internally.
There are couple of ways to do that. First is wood polish which will give a nice shiny surface but will be a very thin layer. If it's a good wood and you just want to give it a shine a polish is the best option. Second is giving it a varnish, which will protect your wood and also give a thicker coating on it.
High Gloss
They are the toughest, most durable and most stain resistant of all finishes. High gloss paints are the easiest to clean and are typically used on doors and cabinets exposed to dirt and oil and can also be used for trim and some woodwork.
It offers a flat, low-sheen look that appears natural and unpolished. Satin Finish: This is the middle ground. Satin has a subtle sheen, giving the wood a soft glow without a full-blown shine.
The best option is to use a varnish or lacquer to give the wood a high gloss finish. While varnish can be sprayed or brushed on, lacquer is best applied by simple spraying. Spraying makes the surface seem finer than painting as it doesn't leave any strokes behind.
Color Considerations
We all know that lighter colors emphasize imperfections while darker colors hide them. This also has to do with light and reflection. Lighter colors reflect more light while darker shades absorb it.
Many woodworkers choose polyurethane as a go-to finish simply for its familiarity. Easy to apply, it looks good on a variety of woods and provides plenty of protection.
Most stains should be sealed to prevent bleeding. After smoothing the stained wood, apply a sealer coat of thinned shellac, sanding sealer, or other appropriate sealer. Do not use shellac with NGR or water-base stains. If you plan to finish the piece with polyurethane, make sure the sealer is compatible.
Minwax® Clear Brushing Lacquer is a beautiful, clear, durable protective wood finish. It is ideal for interior wood surfaces, and can be used over bare or stained wood. It dries to the touch in 30 minutes, ensuring a smooth, dust-free finish.
If you've already applied a wood stain to your furniture, you don't need to oil or wax it afterwards. However, you can protect your wood with oil instead of glaze or varnish. Don't use household products like olive oil for this, as it will merely moisten your wood rather than protect it.
Eggshell is the most commonly used sheen for interior walls.
Flat paint, with its velvety, matte appearance, is the best choice for hiding any wall imperfections due to its lack of shine and reflective properties.
Professional painters frequently utilize premium paints, such as Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams, for their work. Sherwin-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top paint brands, providing a broad range of premium quality paints, including environmentally friendly options.
In summary, polyurethane offers superior durability and protection, making it the better choice for high-use and outdoor applications. Lacquer provides a beautiful, glossy finish and is easier to repair, making it suitable for indoor furniture with lighter use.
You may need to apply several coats of finish to your wood. Allow the first coat to completely dry before you add the second coat. If needed, lightly sand between coats to eliminate bumps and other imperfections before adding more coats. Always sand between coats with 320 grit sandpaper to get a smooth finish.
If I need to dull a finish, I typically apply ren wax with 0000 steel wool or very fine synthetic pads. A light buff with a microfiber cloth and done. Seems to work for me.
Johnstone's Trade Professional Gloss Brilliant White
Despite being oil based, which can result in yellowing, this professional gloss paint has an anti-yellowing formula which makes it our top contender!
Because gloss is shiny and designed to be hard-wearing, painting straight over it won't work, and the paint won't stick.
This is determined by the amount of natural light that shines on the surface. If you paint a door under the stairs where no natural sunlight shines you might find the door will be yellow within a month or two. However if you painted the same door in a water-based paint it will remain nice and white for years to come.