Finishing planed surface

I'm looking for a general guide on achieving a glossy protective finish on a planed surface. I have never understood or had any success with burnishing techniques, or sanding and making a slurry, or labor-intensive french polishing. I figure that finishing a planes surface shouldn't be that onerous because it's is already smooth.

Any tips? The workpiece is kinda porous so it could benefit from filling. I have shellac flakes, but I can buy other things if they work better.

Once you have finished planing you the then need to sand the surface, with e.g. 100, 150, 180, sanding sealer/grain filler, then 240 and finish with your choice of finish, depending on what level of gloss you wish to achieve.