Replies

1. 
   philip | Jan 18, 2007 09:14am | #1

   Have you got spray equipment?

   Philip Marcou
2. 
   rjones69 | Jan 18, 2007 08:55pm | #2

   I have been told this can be fixed with a spray can from HD.  I am not a finishing guru by any means, however a finishing guru mentioned this so...

1. 
   jeremyillingworth | Jan 19, 2007 04:31am | #3

   I don't have any spray equipment.  I prefer a brush or wipe on finish for the items I make.

   If there is a spary can from Home Depot, I doubt that I'm brave enough to risk using it on my parents' dining room table.  Maybe I can just wax it out.

   jeremy

1. 
   philip | Jan 19, 2007 10:16am | #4

   Jeremy, if you are not able to spray then you are limited in what you can do to repair, other than stripping and applying a different finish that you are able to do.
   So as long as the scratches are superficial you could sand very very lightly by hand with a cork block using say 600 wet /dry-but if you have not done this before the danger here is that you will sand through to the wood....How strong are your nerves? After sanding then a rub with 0000 steel wool in strokes with the grain, then some sort of paste wax, should improve things. Try the steel wool if you don't want to sand.
   Maybe some one else knows of a finish one can hand apply on top of the lacquer?
   Philip Marcou

3. 
   uncleSteve | Jan 22, 2007 11:27am | #5

   A catalyzed finish can not be repaired like NC lacquer or shellac. Once it has harden it will not re-melt. If the scratching is light on the surface you can rub them out with fine sandpaper, and polish back to the same sheen. You need to be careful not to sand through the finish. If its an "off the gun finish" you will need to rub out the whole top to get an even sheen. Other than that you need to re-coat the whole top after a good sanding and vinyl sealer. Spray equipment required. Steve Nearman Fredericksburg, VA View Image The Master's Touch Furniture Restoration Service Quality restorations and repairs for over 35 years! (540) 371-5566 http://FurnitureRepair.net/

1. 
   ETG | Jan 22, 2007 06:23pm | #6

   Steve:

   How can you tell if the lacquer is precatalized or if it is nitro based?  I working out a slightly alligatored dining table top - the result of a little water left on the table - used Behlen's amalgmator - rubbed out most of the alligator using 3 - 0 steel wool.  Haven't touched the coloring/wood - top looks good except for a slight roughness.

   First I presume I have nitro lacquer or I wouldn't have blended the finish as easily as I did with the amalgamator.

   And I'm thinking of lightly spraying some Behlen's spray can lacquer to build up the slight rough areas a little and then smooth them with 600 grit wet paper.

   And third, should I then use the Behlen spray can to freshen the entire top or should I use brushing lacquer - I don't have spray equipment and so far I've been successful in repairing the table where it sits.

   Thanks for any insights or where to go next.

   Ed

1. 
   uncleSteve | Jan 23, 2007 06:40am | #7

   You figured it correctly. An amalgamator will not have any effect on a catalized finish.

   You can go the spray can route but it can be difficult to get an even coat on a large surface and the stuff in the can is very thin. It will take 4-5 coats to get the same finish build as one brush coat. I have never brushed on lacquer. We spray everything except shellac on some antique items. Brushing lacquer will take longer to dry because of the retarder that slows it down for brushing.

   No matter which way you go be sure to thoroughly clean and de-wax/grease surface, scuff sand with 320-400 free-cut and remove dust with high pressure air or tack cloth before applying finish.

   By can or brush, lacquer will put out a large volume of flammable fumes. Its not something you want to do in your kitchen. You'll need good ventilation and a respirator.

   Steve Nearman<!---->

   Fredericksburg, VA

   View ImageThe Master's Touch
   Furniture Restoration Service
   Quality restorations and repairs for over 35 years!
   (540) 371-5566

   http://FurnitureRepair.net/

   <!---->

1. 
   ETG | Jan 23, 2007 03:33pm | #8

   Thanks for the help Steve - good info.  By training, I'm a Chemist so I am aware of the viotiality of lacquer and the danger of the fumes.  How would shellac do as a substitute for lacquer?  I can get the same gloss as from lacquer without the application problems of lacquer.

   Thanks again for you input.

   Ed

1. 
   uncleSteve | Jan 23, 2007 07:27pm | #9

   Shellac (de-waxed) make a good sealer and can be used as a barrier coat to seal in contaminates. But its not a good choice for top coating a table top that gets heavy ware and exposed to a lot of moisture. Its much softer and you are stuck with high gloss unless you want to rub it out by hand. I would not recommend gloss on any surface that will get a lot of ware. The higher the gloss on a surface the more any small defect or every day ware will show. The duller the surface the less normal ware is visible.

   If you are good with a brush (I'm not) you could go with varnish (not poly). It will adhere to NC lacquer if cleaned and abraded with fine sandpaper like 320 to give a mechanical bond. But its slow drying, hence the need to rub out the dust when dry.

   There is not a miracle finish that is easy to apply and bullet proof. Every finish has its pluses and minuses. For a comparison visit:

   http://furniturerepair.net/finishFAQ.htm

   NC lacquer is easy to repair. In the long run it may be best to get a local restoration shop to spray on a few new coats. It will be a better job then you can achieve under the circumstances and not much more in cost than all the materials and good brush needed to do it yourself.

   The difficulty I have in this type of situation is trying to find a way to produce a good professional job without professional equipment. I'm may be pickier than most folks. You may be very happy with the final finish using a brush and the good feeling of doing it yourself.

   Steve Nearman

   Fredericksburg, VA

   View ImageThe Master's Touch
   Furniture Restoration Service
   Quality restorations and repairs for over 35 years!
   (540) 371-5566

   http://FurnitureRepair.net/

2. 
   ETG | Jan 23, 2007 08:32pm | #10

   Steve:

   You are very helpful - I enjoy the pros and cons you have presented.  I have several options thanks to your help.  Again, many thinks!