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How to Get a High Gloss on a Walking Stick

A walking stick is either a functional item or one to be admired for its beauty and design. Either way, finish your walking stick with a high-gloss shine. If you are using a walking stick to hike, a glossy finish will make it easy to clean and easy to see when hiking through brush. If you have a hand-carved ornate walking stick you like to keep for art's sake, you most definitely need to finish it with a high gloss to show off the beautiful wood and opulent detail.

Things You'll Need

200 to 400 grit sandpaper sheets or block
Soft cloth
Polyurethane spray, full gloss

Instructions

- 1
  Lightly sand your walking stick with sandpaper. If the walking stick is not new and has a lower-gloss finish, you may want to sand it vigorously to remove the finish before starting.
- 2
  Wipe the walking stick down with the soft cloth. Remove all of the dust from where you sanded the stick.
- 3
  Place the stick on a flat, covered work surface.
- 4
  Spray a coat of full-gloss polyurethane onto three sides of the stick. Use long, even strokes when moving the can as it sprays. Avoid letting the polyurethane drip down the sides of the walking stick.
- 5
  Let the three sides dry for the specified amount of time. Flip the stick over so the side that was face down is now on top.
- 6
  Spray the untreated side the same way as you did the other three. Let dry.
- 7
  Lightly sand with the sandpaper after all four sides have dried completely. Wipe the dust after you have sanded.
- 8
  Apply another coat to the walking stick in the same fashion.
- 9
  Lightly sand with the sandpaper after all four sides have dried completely.
- 10
  Apply two more coats to the walking stick, sanding in between.

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