Converting, editing or revitalizing your existing furniture is a great way to transform your living space while shielding your bank account from massive hits.
Depending upon the method you choose, your transformation can be as subtle or dramatic as you want it to be.
Lacquer finishes are known for their smooth, striking finishes. Today’s Weekend Warrior will cover some pros and cons of working with the varnish. We’ll also provide you with some tips and guidelines if you decide it’s a project you want to take on.
For more information on lacquer in general, check out: Lacquered Up.
Before we get started, it’s only fair to state that working with lacquer varnish can be extremely difficult.
Things to Consider
- Plan your lacquer conversion project for a time when you have a lot of spare time throughout the week or when you have a long weekend on your hands.
- Applying lacquer with a brush is not advisable, unless you desire no semblance of a smooth finish. Either rent a spray gun (motorized) or use lacquer from an aerosol can. Both are fairly expensive options.
- Lacquer should not be applied to rosewood, mahogany or any similar wood because the oil content in these trees are too high and will permeate through the varnish.
Steps
- Place old newspapers or drop cloths around the area in which you’ll be working. Make sure you’ll be working in a well-ventilated area.
- The wood you’ll be applying lacquer to should be sanded and sealed. Use the tack cloth to thoroughly clean the furniture.
- Test the can of lacquer to observe the spray patterns and practice applying it. This will allow you to apply a steady hand and get a better finish on your furniture the first time.
- Spray the lacquer no less than 18-inches away from the furniture’s surface. Any closer than this and the lacquer will be too thick and may not cure properly. Don’t spray from much farther away, however. Too far away and the finish will have small bubbles that will turn into little dimples.
Cover the furniture in horizontal sections, slightly overlapping each section with every pass. Repeat until furniture is covered.
It’s going to be tempting to apply a second coat soon after because lacquer often takes no longer than half an hour to dry. Fight the urge. Lacquer needs to completely cure between coats. Allow 48 hours for this process.
Using No. 000 steel wool, gently smooth the surface and clean it with your tack cloth. Then apply the second coat of lacquer.
After 48 hours have passed, clean the furniture’s surface with your tack cloth and a paste wax. Buff the paste wax until the finish is as shiny as you envisioned it to be.