- 1). Take down the existing finish by sanding the hand plane with coarse 50-grit sandpaper. Prevent unintentional damage by consistently sanding toward the wood grain.
- 2). Dust the woodworking tool with a rag. Sand the hand plane, again -- this time using 90-grit sandpaper.
- 3). Dust the hand plane, once more; smooth the wood by sanding it with 140-grit sandpaper.
- 4). Wipe the hand plane with a tack cloth; place the woodworking tool on a canvas drop cloth. Add painter's tape to parts of the hand plane you'd prefer left unfinished.
- 5). Apply gel oil stain to the hand plane, using a two-inch paintbrush. Be sure to use a brush equipped with natural bristled; do not use a synthetic brush.
- 6). Wipe the gel oil stain from the woodworking tool, using rags. Let the hand plane dry for four hours.
- 7). Wash the two-inch brush three times, using mineral spirits.
- 8). Apply two coats of polyurethane to the woodworking tool, using the two-inch brush. Brush toward the wood grain. Let the hand plane dry for two hours between each coat.
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