[acidrain]

Do you mean strip a gloss part, and still have it glossy when it's done? That all depends on the original part. Many times the parts I strip come out fairly glossy, but most the time not. I always go to the buffing wheel after stripping. Once the parts are stripped and either beadblasted or polished, there is no need to etch as long as the parts go directly from the polish step to the de-grease and ano steps.
If the parts have been sitting around a long time after stripping, etch and de-smut/de-ox steps are recommended.