Do you have a piece of wood whose beauty you would like to show off? You can apply a lacquer finish. This is a fast drying finish, thinner than shellac, and highly durable. Given its thinness, it must be applied in many coats to make it look great.
Applying lacquer can be challenging especially to novices who have never done it. Before I learnt how to lacquer wood, it used to give me a hard time. However, once you get the handle of it, you will find the process swift and enjoyable.
Lacquer offers versatility; it is available in satin, high-gloss and matte finishes. It can be offered in clear color or it may be offered in many satin finishes.
Ergo, it will meet the taste of anyone. The finish is dust-free drying, which does not provide an application problem as you will note when applying.
Since lacquer dries fast, in most cases it dries instantly, it may be a daunting task applying it for the first time. This is why I developed this tutorial, to help you get over the hurdles I faced lacquering wood for the first time.
Before we jump to the steps, it is important for you to know which lacquer to use and which method to follow to get the job done. For amateurs, brushing is not recommended as it may lead to uneven application; use a motorized spray gun or an aerosol can.
Though use of aerosol cans may be expensive, they come in handy when you are doing a small lacquering task at home. Again, you need to know that most lacquer fumes are not only toxic but can also be explosive.
To this end, they are not encouraged for amateur refinishing. In this guide, we will be explaining the use of a spray gun in applying lacquer finish.
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Lacquer Vs. Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a polymer and thus acts as a coating for wood while lacquer, being thin, forms a bond with the wood. This makes lacquer more long lasting than Polyurethane. The two are relatively easy to apply.
Polyurethane will take longer to completely cure and achieve hardness unlike lacquer which cures instantly.
What Will You Need For This Tutorial?
You will need:
- Lacquer
- Lacquer thinner
- Lacquer based or water based wood filler
- Lacquer based or water based sealer
- Spray gun
- 0000-grade and 000-grade steel wool
- Pain brush (fine bristles)
- Sand paper (with different grit between #80 and #400)
- Paste wax
- Alcohol
- Protective gear (gloves and respirator)
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Lacquering Basics
