The Dos and Don'ts of Painting Furniture to be Really Shiny
HGTV Magazine has the tips and tricks you need to know.

Marko Metzinger/Studio D

DO realize that a lacquer-like sheen...
will magnify every flaw and imperfection. Before painting, get furniture as smooth as possible by sanding it with progressively finer grits of sandpaper and removing every speck of dust with a damp cloth.
DON’T try your hand at lacquer
It’s best left to a pro because of all the special equipment involved and its flammability. Top-quality high-gloss paint or spray paint is the easiest and safest way to get a shiny finish.
DON’T be stingy with color...
Achieving a high-gloss look requires multiple coats of paint—figure anywhere from two to four.