Japanese style red lacquer

Smuggler | Posted in Peter Gedrys on September 19, 2006 12:21pm

I wish to paint part of a wood bench so that it has the appearance of a japanese style red lacquer. How can I accomplish this? I cannot find a supplier of the urushi type red lacquer in the U.S. Are there U.S. produces that create the same appearance? Thank you.

Replies

peter28 | Sep 24, 2006 04:41pm | #1
Smuggler,

A good way to reproduce a red lacquer can be found in the book;

The Art of the Painted Finish by Isabel O'Neil. There is a picture of it on page 106 and a full chapter following.

Basically the wood is prepared, ground colored with a mixed red japan paint and allowed to dry well. It is then finished with multiple coats of varnish that are thinly applied , cured and well rubbed.

I don't follow this book to the letter but it is a great guide line.

Is your bench interior or exterior?

Good luck,

Peter Gedrys

Smuggler | Sep 26, 2006 03:49am | #2
Thank you for your advice. It is an exterior bench made of cedar. I designed it as a mix of Northwest and Japanese styles. Smuggler