Mine weren't shiny, but if you have sanding lines running the length of them, we're not that far off from each other. It takes some learning to get it right. You'll think you're pretty well done with the sanding and then you'll find a couple sanding lines that you didn't find and you have to go back through the grits again in that area.
I don't want to discourage you because it's kinda fun in a twisted sorta way, but its also a lot of work. The end result is something you can be proud of, and it's always a conversation piece. It's a good winter project. As well, I *think* I could cut my time in half the next time around. What's the magic to cutting the time? Experience. I probably could have cut the time initially if I had someone there showing me exactly how to do things, but the written instructions give you great general procedures, but it seems to me that it's in the little details that make things work or well, or just sorta work ok.
Hope that helps, and keep in mind, the time flies when your doing this stuff.
