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Provided your finish is thick enough, you can make a gloss finish glass-smooth by rubbing it. You must wait, however, until the finish is completely cured and, for most coatings, that means at least a month. First, sand the surface dead-smooth, starting with 600-grit paper and moving up in steps to 1,200. Use self-lubricated paper, or use wet-and-dry paper lubricated with slightly soapy water. When the surface is as smooth as glass, wipe off the soapy water and switch to rubbing.

Start with automotive rubbing compound on a soft cloth pad or electric buffer, and follow that with polishing compound. Rubbing compound contains coarser grit, while polishing compound is finer. The rubbing and polishing process on furniture is the same as for your car, and you'll find a variety of compounds to choose from at any auto paint store and most woodworking stores. Wipe off the surface with a clean cloth between grits and again after you are done. Once you've rubbed to gloss, you can add an extra fillip of shine by wiping swirl mark remover or finish glaze onto the surface, then buffing it off with a clean, soft cloth. 

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