![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz5rdNKDggg/TZ4vcMk8uHI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/9_yFp_Qpyvk/s200/IMG_3531.jpg)
The level is sanded to 400 grit and has four thin coats of wipe-on polyurethane and two coats of dark paste wax.
Over time, the brass and cherry will darken (my preference).
![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0-cAlvprHwQ/TZ4vcnPu3aI/AAAAAAAAFVU/xsN98XC5PVc/s200/IMG_3545.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OUASGHo4so/TZ4vbOiuSrI/AAAAAAAAFVM/-ZJ9ssePO88/s200/IMG_3528.jpg)
The brass is not polished as smoothly as I'd like. I rubbed it with 220, 400, 1200, and 4,000 grit sandpaper and still there are scratches.
I asked an old college chum who now makes jewelry (and some very cool tags for dogs) how she achieves a mirror polish on metal.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yaPYgI5UuSA/TZ4vdbhq0sI/AAAAAAAAFVY/eZEFbl_xfvM/s200/IMG_3558.jpg)
She uses polishing papers, working through the entire set, then puts the jewelry in a tumbler. While I'm not planning to invest in the last item, I am going to try the paper. I don't know if it will also work on wood or not but I'll give it a try. The fact that the sheets are washable and reusable (and inexpensive) is pretty enticing.
Now....what to build next?