Cleaning should be done using a soft damp cloth or for more stubborn dirt a mild solution of liquid detergent in warm water with a soft cloth should be sufficient. Ensure excess water is squeezed out to leave the cloth damp, and wipe all surfaces dry with a clean dry cloth.
The seal protects the wood from the inside-out instead of creating a hard top coat that eventually degrades. Most kitchens only need two layers to create the lacquer kitchen cabinets that can last for about a decade.
Lacquer offers a superior clear coat shine, water-resistant, breathable and chip resistant type of finish which is a best choice for kitchen cabinetry. One big advantage of using lacquer paint on kitchen cabinets is that it is very fast drying and this makes it easy to apply a second coat.
Cleaning should be done using a soft damp cloth or for more stubborn dirt a mild solution of liquid detergent in warm water with a soft cloth should be sufficient. Ensure excess water is squeezed out to leave the cloth damp, and wipe all surfaces dry with a clean dry cloth.
To answer the original question first touch up of acrylic lacquer is very easy and will work fine. Remember that you are now using a spray applied finish and to touch up this finish you will need to spray the repaired area. You will also need to mask off areas you do not want to spray.
Most lacquers don't need to be thinned to be usable either. That means you can brush it straight on your kitchen cabinets to complete the look you want. It goes down flat, is forgiving with your brush strokes, and cleans up rather easily when you have the appropriate solvent or thinner available.
As mentioned above, lacquer is very tough. It lasts longer than any of its competitors without chipping and flaking off. It remains clear for years and non-yellowing options are available to keep your furniture looking in tip-top shape for a very long time.
You can apply as many coats as you want, depending on the smoothness of the finish you want, but in most cases, three is enough. Don't scuff the final coat.
Any sheen can be painted, even after lacquer has been processed, since lacquer isn't glossy. Other mediums would not hold up very well. With oil-based enamel, lacquer can adhere fine to the smooth surface, since the oil-soluble enamel dries quickly. To make the paint more evenly applied, apply it to one side of it.
For maintenance cleaning, we recommend using a soft microfiber cloth soaked in warm water. Wring it out, then add a few drops of white vinegar. Simply wash your furniture with circular motions, then dry it with a cloth, and you're done!
When lacquered furniture is not stained or worn and you simply want to clean it to remove dust, the best thing to use is a damp cloth with warm water. Rub the cloth over the surface of the furniture and make sure you dry it well with a bit of paper.
After the lacquer cures for a few weeks it can be sanded perfectly level and buffed to a high gloss. During those weeks, almost all of the solvents evaporate and the remaining solids get dry and hard.
daveo, you can definitely use wax over lacquer. i like renaissance wax as well, though right now i can only buff with a cloth. as for rubbing out lacquer, you can rub out the last coat if the sheen is not what you want.
Covering the Finish
Second, polyurethane is not the best choice for painting over lacquer finishes. Polyurethane will not bond or grip well with the lacquer and will peel off over time with general use. Instead, use an alkyd varnish. Alkyd varnishes are a polyester resin that will adhere better and repair more easily.
A lacquer finish is more brittle and prone to cracks than varnish or polyurethane, but the good news is that the cracks are repairable. Unlike varnish or polyurethane, lacquer doesn't cure after it hardens, which means that you can soften it with fresh lacquer. A single re-coat may be enough to heal some cracking.
Unlike some finishes, lacquer does not penetrate the wood. Refinishing old lacquer cabinets can help bring them up to date and give them an attractive face lift.
Durability, Appearance and Affordability
Lacquer is tough. It lasts as long or longer than any of its competitors without flaking or chipping. Lacquer remains clear for years without the yellowing usually associated with varnish, polyurethane or shellac.
Despite being available in variances, polyurethane is more durable. It is thick and leaves a strong coating. Lacquer is thin and penetrates the wood surface. It is also durable but susceptible to scratches and discoloration after some time.
You can use a high-quality sponge roller or low nap velour roller to roll the Lacquer on the surface. Make sure you apply thin coats. Applying the Lacquer too thick or re-coating to quickly can cause a foggy-looking effect. Between coats, you may repeat lightly sanding your piece and wiping it with your tack cloth.
I usually scuff sand and clean the surface and just before spraying lacquer, spray a light but wet coat of thinner on the old lacquer, then give it a few minutes to evaporate and soak in before the new wet lacquer goes on. You need to spray enough to make the surface wet but no more or you risk runs and sags.
One of the problems that finishing professionals encounter when spraying lacquer is blushing, a condition whereby the finish turns milky white as it dries. This is invariably caused by moisture in the air -- it gets trapped under the surface, and the microscopic water particles diffuse light that hits the surface.