How to add a shine to water based stain

[Gary Slater]

I want to use water based stain on some small ornaments but not sure how to get a shine. Usually on pens, I'll finish with EEE, then sanding sealer/lacquer thinner, then friction polish. Will this work over my water based stain? I just don't want to take or have the time to finish with multiple coats of polyurethane.

 

[Steve Worcester]

Yes, it would work providing the waterbased stain is only a stain and it has thoroughly dried.

But if that is the order of use (EEE, sealer, FP) then the EEE is a waste of effort and may even cause some issues with the sealers adhesion. The tricky part with stain is sanding to the grit high enough to remove all the scratches but not so high as to clog the woods pores and inhibit the stains absorption. At this stage, EEE may change the color and does not work well over bare wood. Skip it and go to the sealer after that and you could FP after that.

 

[john lucas]

Try spraying with Krylon Fixatiff. You can buff the fixatiff up to a shine if needed.

 

[Richard Coers]

I like to use shellac for Christmas ornaments. Either from an aerosol or air brush. I usually spray on 3 coats and then use the Beal Buff to take care of any orange peel and to add wax. I usually wait a few days before buffing, to let the shellac reach full hardness. I have used that on water based stains and dyes. As long as they are really dry, no problems. I have also been using Rust-o-elum aerosol spray enamel. Very cheap and works great. I doubt if it is real enamel since it dries in 10 minutes or less. The aerosol is expensive per ounce, but you can't beat the ease of use.

 

[Bernie Weishapl]

I use Deft rattle can lacquer on my ornaments, mini birdhouses, etc. Can recoat every 30 minutes. 3 or 4 coats of gloss gives a nice shine quick, easy and no need to buff.