I use minwax but my large items dont seem to have a sheen to them, wha

Hello Bonnie,

A wax finish will give a matt or a satin finish- did you choose the right one?

It is minwax paste finishing wax.

Regular wood stain doesn't have a sheen, you need to add a finish coat like a non-yellowing polyurethane or varathane in a satin or semi-gloss finish..

Gel Stain which is not a pentrating stain has a finish sheen to it, with no need for a finish topcoat. Its more like a paint treatment where there is no grain in the wood to show off.

Sorry didn't see the second part of your question. Did you first add a shellac finish and use steel wool it before adding the wax, and then buff it?

If you want hi gloss effect, use a poly sealer