
- Mix equal parts of denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner in a basin or small bucket. ...
- Laquer thinner mixed with denatured alcohol will strip most lacquer finishes. Use a scraper or steel wool to remove the lacquer.
- Sand the piece lightly with fine-gauge sandpaper. Sweep away the sanding dust with a clean paintbrush or rag.
- Apply a coat of stain with a paintbrush, if desired. Wipe away any excess stain with a rag. Allow the stain to dry for six to eight hours.
- Apply a polyurethane clear top coat with a clean paintbrush. Allow the polyurethane to dry for at least 12 hours.
How do you remove a lacquer floor finish?
Steps to remove lacquer from wood by sanding:
- Just attach the sandpaper to the special hooks at the base of the sander.
- Hold the appliance with the special support if you pass it on the surface to be stripped without applying any pressure.
- Start with a coarse sandpaper to remove as much material as possible, avoiding deformation in corners and edges.
How to tell if a finish is lacquer or polyurethane?
- Find a hidden spot on the floor or furniture.
- Rub the edge of a coin back and forth over the hidden area while pressing firmly.
- Dip the corner of a clean, soft rag into lacquer thinner.
- Place a cotton swab in some acetone as an alternative method and apply it to the finish.
How to refinish wood furniture with lacquer?
Part 3 Part 3 of 3: Applying Additional Lacquer Coats Download Article
- Sand the surface lightly again, with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe with a tack cloth.
- Apply a second coat of lacquer. Let it cure.
- Sand and wipe the surface. Apply a third coat of lacquer and let it cure for 48 hours. ...
- Finish by buffing the surface of the furniture with No 0000 steel wool. Wipe with a tack cloth, and then apply paste wax to the surface.
How to apply deft clear wood finish lacquer?
- Create a sealant coat by mixing lacquer with a lacquer thinner in a 50:50 proportion.
- Slowly and evenly apply the sealant by making one stroke at a time. ...
- Wait for about 30 minutes then lightly sand the wood using 320 grit sandpaper.
- Wipe off the dust created from sanding using a tack-cloth.

Can you repair lacquer finish?
Lacquer finishes can often be repaired with the application of the right solvent. Standing next to shellac as the easiest wood finish to repair is lacquer. Its properties allow it to be softened by the reintroduction of a solvent, and, as the solvent evaporates, the lacquer hardens to a new finish on the work piece.
How do you fix chipped lacquer furniture?
How to Fix Chipped Wood LacquerWipe the chipped surface with a soft, damp cloth to remove particles and stickiness. ... Drip a good-quality nail polish in the chipped area until the fluid sits slightly higher than the surrounding lacquer. ... Allow the polish to harden or dry completely.More items...
Can lacquer furniture be refinished?
Solid Lacquer Finishes We refinish furniture in all types of solid lacquer colors and sheens, such as high gloss (shiny), satin finish and matte. Solid lacquer refinishing is different than stain, in that the wood grain is not visible. Solid lacquer refinishing is widely used for modern and art deco furniture.
How do you fix bad lacquer?
2:418:01Fixing Lacquer Finish Mistakes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEverything else looks good over the entire surface. But really the only way that we can fix that isMoreEverything else looks good over the entire surface. But really the only way that we can fix that is by applying more lacquer here. So what you'll need to do is to clean this surface with naphtha.
Can chipped lacquer be repaired?
Lacquer can be a very forgiving finish material, and if you understand its characteristics, repairing damage to a lacquered surface can be easy. Lacquer is basically cellulose dissolved in a solvent. A lacquer surface coating hardens when the solvent evaporates, and applying more solvent will soften it again.
Can you apply lacquer over lacquer?
No, you can't apply poly over lacquer as polyurethane won't bond. The polyurethane coat will peel and flake over time. To protect your lacquer finish from water damages and scratches, apply alkyd varnish instead of polyurethane. Alkyd varnish is formulated with polyester resin to provide better adhesion and durability.
How do you resurface lacquer furniture?
1:228:37Lacquer Finish Repair on Wood Furniture | How To - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I'm going to do is soften up the finish around the damaged area and then use a brush to pullMoreWhat I'm going to do is soften up the finish around the damaged area and then use a brush to pull that finish into the damaged area and essentially level out that valley I've got there.
How do you refresh lacquer furniture?
Use denatured alcohol on shellac, lacquer thinner on lacquer, a three-to-one mixture of alcohol and lacquer thinner on a lacquer/shellac mixture. To reamalgamate the finished surface, apply solvent along the grain of the wood in quick, long strokes; work quickly, and don't let the brush get dry.
How do you remove lacquer from wood without sanding?
0:2610:19How to remove a lacquer finish - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the three alternatives we're going to talk about today are lacquer thinner paint remover and aMoreSo the three alternatives we're going to talk about today are lacquer thinner paint remover and a heat gun chances are the paint remover.
Can you sand lacquer off wood?
Sanding. This is one of the more popular methods of removing lacquer from wooden furniture, particularly for thin layers of lacquer. The sanding process can be done with either sandpaper or a sand machine, like an orbital sander.
How do you touch up lacquer paint?
4:389:51Cabinet TOUCHUPS! The Art of Touch-Ups - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then just dab it so you're just gonna dab it on there we're not gonna worry about priming. It'sMoreAnd then just dab it so you're just gonna dab it on there we're not gonna worry about priming. It's just a small nick the previous coating underneath was lacquer.
How do you remove lacquer from wood furniture?
Shellac and lacquer are alcohol-based finishes, which can be removed with a variety of solvents that are available from your neighborhood hardware store. Shellac can be removed with denatured alcohol. If alcohol doesn't work, try lacquer thinner.
How do you repair lacquered wood furniture?
1:228:37Lacquer Finish Repair on Wood Furniture | How To - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat I'm going to do is soften up the finish around the damaged area and then use a brush to pullMoreWhat I'm going to do is soften up the finish around the damaged area and then use a brush to pull that finish into the damaged area and essentially level out that valley I've got there.
How do you touch up lacquer paint?
4:439:51Cabinet TOUCHUPS! The Art of Touch-Ups - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then just dab it so you're just gonna dab it on there we're not gonna worry about priming. It'sMoreAnd then just dab it so you're just gonna dab it on there we're not gonna worry about priming. It's just a small nick the previous coating underneath was lacquer.
How do you fix chipped white gloss furniture?
0:442:26Repairing White Furniture with the 3 in 1 Repair Stick - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you're gonna want to depress the tip just to remove any gases. And after you've done that use aMoreThen you're gonna want to depress the tip just to remove any gases. And after you've done that use a cloth and depress the tip to make sure that the paint is flowing.
How do you fix chipped varnish?
0:281:27Fix Small Chips or Gouges in Wood With Fill Sticks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipArea. You can either rub the wax stick over the damage or take a little piece of it off with yourMoreArea. You can either rub the wax stick over the damage or take a little piece of it off with your finger or a plastic card and press it into the damaged.
What happens if you watermark lacquer?
If the finish has been damaged by water, the whitish marks will begin to release once the lacquer softens. If water marks remain after the thinner has dried, you may repeat step two and three again until you are satisfied with the results.
Do you need to strip lacquer before applying a new finish?
If the damage has affected more than the finish, going through to the actual wood, you will need to strip the lacquer to repair the wood surface before applying a new finish. Advertisement.
Can lacquer be repaired?
Lacquer finishes can often be repaired with the application of the right solvent. Standing next to shellac as the easiest wood finish to repair is lacquer. Its properties allow it to be softened by the reintroduction of a solvent, and, as the solvent evaporates, the lacquer hardens to a new finish on the work piece.
How to repair scratches on lacquered furniture?
Obtain a furniture wax stick in the same color as the item you need to repair. This will need to be pressed firmly into the scratch or gouge until it is filled . Smooth the surface and remove the excess by lightly dragging a credit card over the repair site—do not use anything that can scratch the surface.
How to hide scratches on furniture?
To quickly hide minor scratches, crack open a pecan or walnut and break the meat in half before rubbing the broken surface against the scratch; this will help to blend the color of the scratch to that of the rest of the furniture.
How to fix cracks in lacquer?
Fine lines and cracks in the finish can be fixed by using a fine paintbrush dipped in lacquer thinner. The solvent will work with the lacquer to level it out. Let it dry, and afterward, apply paste wax to the area and buff it.
What to do if furniture scratches?
If there is major damage to a piece of furniture, including numerous deep scratches, you may want to consider stripping the finish, sanding out blemishes to the wood surface, and re-staining the piece. Be sure to clean and let the wood dry after stripping and sanding.
How to get scratches out of wood?
If the scratch isn't deep enough to penetrate into the wood beneath the finish, then start by buffing into—not through—the finish with #0000 steel wool. Apply liquid wax using a circular motion with a new cloth after you're done with the steel wool. Leave it to dry before you buff it again with another soft cloth.
How to get rid of scratches on car?
Use a cleaner to remove any dirt, debris, or oils from the lacquered surface. Then, apply a wet-finish car wax. Putting a couple coats of this on the area may help to reduce the appearance of shallow scratches.
Is lacquer good for furniture?
Most commercially produced furniture is coated with a lacquer finish. It's the economical choice given that it takes less time than other finishes to get an excellent result. However, for the owner, lacquer provides an additional benefit: small and large scratches are fairly simple to repair.
What is lacquer coating?
Lacquer is basically cellulose dissolved in a solvent. A lacquer surface coating hardens when the solvent evaporates, and applying more solvent will soften it again. This simple fact enables you to use strategies that would be impossible with a cured finish like polyurethane or varnish. Not many lacquer repair techniques involve sanding, ...
Can you remove silicone from wood?
Cratering is one of the most serious defects, and you may not be able to prevent it if you can't remove all the silicone from the wood. You may be able to minimize it, however, by spraying several thin coats of lacquer, sanding each coat flat before applying the next one.
How to make a lacquer cleaner?
Step 1. Mix equal parts of denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner in a basin or small bucket. Use a clean paintbrush to spread the mixture on a small section of the furniture. Allow it to sit for about one minute.
How long does it take for polyurethane to dry?
Apply a polyurethane clear top coat with a clean paintbrush. Allow the polyurethane to dry for at least 12 hours. Apply a second coat, and allow it to dry for another 12 hours.
How to remove chipping from wood?
1. Wipe the chipped surface with a soft, damp cloth to remove particles and stickiness. Dry the area thoroughly using a soft, dry rag. Allow the bare wood to air out and further dry for about an hour before proceeding so as not to trap any remaining moisture.
What happens if you drop a cup on a coffee table?
Until again protected with a finish, the bare section of wood is subject to water damage and rot and fading from light. In addition, the noticeable chip is unattractive.
How to fix cracks in wood?
Apply a healthy amount of solvent with your brush to the crack, in long, quick strokes that run with the wood grains. Don’t worry if the cracks don’t disappear right away; they’ll do so as the finish dries. Apply enough solvent to cut down to the wood, but not into the wood.
Does heat lightning make furniture look vintage?
Sometimes, with the heat lightning-esque spider webs of lines they create, it can add a pleasing “aged” effect to furniture, making things look a little more vintage. Often, though, I think people just tell themselves this so that they feel a little better about watching their furniture show visible signs of growing closer to an expiration date.
