How To Give Your Wood An Ultra, Smooth-As-Silk, Finish

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I have a secret tip to getting that ultra, smooth-as-silk-finish that you see on so many high-end furniture, such as Pottery Barn, RH, and Ethan Allen.
This is my finished piece of furniture where I added a planking to the top.
I started with select pine wood boards, stained them; and then I applied one coat of Minwax Wipe On Poly. After it dried, I sanded the boards with a fine grade of sandpaper and then applied a second coat of Wipe On Poly. I sanded a second time with very fine grade sandpaper and then put on my third and final coat of Wipe On Poly. After this third coat dried, I did something that's pretty amazing!
I found a heavy brown paper bag and cut a section from it. Anything that's heavy with no prints or dyes should work, but I've usually have used brown paper bags from the grocery store or heavy brown lunch bags.
Fold your cut piece of brown paper and start sanding over your boards. The friction from this movement will provide the smoothest finish for your wood. As you start sanding with your paper, you'll be able to rub your hand over where you just were and than rub it where you haven't sanded yet and feel the amazing difference. Even now, as I go into our room, I can't help but to keep feeling the top of this dresser. It's beyond AWESOME and it doesn't cost anything!
To see more, go to my blog: http://theredpaintedcottage.com/2016/08/how-to-add-a-planked-top-to-furniture-with-a-freebie-finishing-tip/
Suggested materials:
  • Wood   (Home Depot)
  • Minwax Stain   (Home Depot)
  • Minwax Wipe On Poly   (Home Depot)
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Theredpaintedcottage
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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  • ANA ANA on Aug 20, 2016
    Hello. Can you use that minwax poly and your paper bag trick over chalk paint??? I would really appreciate your advise. Thanks
  • Lynn Lynn on Aug 20, 2016
    Can you tell me can you paint over Veneer Your Project Awesome.
  • Leeanne Leeanne on Oct 19, 2016
    BEAUTIFUL!!! Did you apply the planking to the top with glue? Or screws?? Nice job! Awesome idea if if you have any piece with a damaged top and want to save it. Great job!!
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  • Sally Webster Sally Webster on Sep 14, 2016
    OMG I have refinished many old oak pieces over my 73 years. I always put 3 coats of Minwax Polyurethane on all the horizontal surfaces with very good results. I am going to use the paper bag trick on an old oak dresser that I thought had a nice finish, but could have been a little nicer. Thanks a million for the tip!
  • Lisa House Lisa House on Sep 20, 2016
    Thanks for the information, I am just finishing a profect so will be trying this!
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