Spray a small amount of solvent-based furniture cleaner on a dry rag and wipe the lacquer gently, starting with a small section. Wipe this away immediately with a damp cloth and then dry the area with a dry cloth. Repeat this process, working in manageable sections, until the lacquer is clean.
Restore the appearance of lacquer pieces that have been damaged by exposure to light by polishing them with carnauba wax. Apply the wax with a soft cloth and polish it lightly with another clean cloth or a lambswool buffer. Use wax only to restore damaged pieces; avoid using it on pieces in good condition.
Do not apply nail polish remover to the stain; it will quickly damage the finish of your Oriental furniture. Instead, soften the nail polish by rubbing it with a cloth saturated in mineral spirits. If the finish is hard, apply paste wax with fine steel wool in the direction of the grain.
With the right prep work, you can paint over black lacquer as easily as any other furniture, and the display area of the hutch is ideal for a creative design that will give it a whole new look.
Lacquers can be polished to a mirror-like reflection. Lacquer finishes are relatively easy to repair.
Start With a Lacquer Thinner
Spray a wet coat of pure lacquer thinner on a surface that has cracks, orange peel or roughness. The thinner will emulsify the surface and the defects should disappear when it hardens again. You can get the same results by spraying a full wet coat of thinned-down lacquer.
To remove dust, use a soft brush such as a hake brush. It is safe to use a very slightly damp, soft cloth to further clean lacquer. Never immerse in water. Also, do not use commercial products such as Pledge or Endust, which may permanently ruin the lacquer finish.
After washing your Oriental furniture, and for occasional polishing, mix equal parts of boiled linseed oil and gum turpentine and apply to the wood surfaces with a coarse, lintless cloth, such as cheesecloth. Rub briskly until the wood is completely dry and a sheen appears.
If items are damaged, you can help restore them by using carnauba wax (but do this only if pieces are damaged and not if they are in good condition): Using carnauba-based wax, take a soft cloth and wipe down the item to apply a light layer of wax to the surface.
Level a large scratch, after coloring the wood, by sanding it lightly with 600-grit sandpaper, then dabbing it with lacquer-based clear nail polish, using the applicator that comes in the bottle, instructs This Old House. The lacquer will soften the old finish, and the scratch should disappear.
Apply a Coat of Acrylic Lacquer
Apply the first coat of nitrocellulose or acrylic lacquer with spray equipment or from a can. Spray the black lacquer spray paint in even strokes that overlap by about half the spray width, and leave a full wet surface. Avoid overloading vertical surfaces, or the material will drip.
Try fuki-urushi. Apply raw lacquer on clean, smooth wood (just basic board for practice), and wipe it off just after applying. The cure for 24-48 hours, sand with 400-600 sandpaper and repeat, and sand with a higher grit.
Japanese lacquer, or urushi, is a transformative and highly prized material that has been refined for over 7000 years. Cherished for its infinite versatility, urushi is a distinctive art form that has spread across all facets of Japanese culture from the tea ceremony to modern abstract sculpture.
Lacquer takes a little more love. Beyond simple dusting, a lacquered piano with smudges will respond to a very soft cloth, dipped in a solution of water and extremely mild soap, such as Murphy's Oil Soap, and wrung out thoroughly, wiped gently over the finish in long lines of straight strokes.
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.
Lacquer finish is beautiful on wood furniture. The hard, glossy finish is applied in several coats. Resilient lacquer is a bit difficult to remove when you want to refinish your furniture with new lacquer. Fortunately, there are a few ways to make the process a little bit easier.
Use denatured alcohol on shellac, lacquer thinner on lacquer, a three-to-one mixture of alcohol and lacquer thinner on a lacquer/shellac mixture. To reamalgamate the finished surface, apply solvent along the grain of the wood in quick, long strokes; work quickly, and don't let the brush get dry.
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!
Cleaning Wood Furniture
Do not clean antique wood with wet cloths, oils, or spray wax. For daily cleaning, use a dry cloth. To clean heavily carved areas when dust or dirt builds up, use a soft toothbrush lightly coated in a high quality paste wax.
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.
Traditional marine spar varnishes can be applied over lacquer that has completely cured. Though lacquer should be through cured in 48-72 hours, it is recommended to allow at least 7 days to cure under proper conditions.
Fill Dents and Gouges. Fill dents, nicks and gouges with a wood filler or wood-specific epoxy. Ensure that the filler or epoxy is the type that dries hard and can be sanded. Apply the filler with a flexible putty knife, leaving a slight mound of excess filler over the repaired area.