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 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.
When it comes to cleaning high gloss furniture, you must be gentle. Avoid harsh cleaners at any cost. High Gloss Furniture is perfectly practical when you regularly look after it. For day-to-day gloss cleaning, you shouldn't need to do anything more than wipe down with warm soapy water and dry with a microfibre cloth.
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.
Handling Blushing at Home
If the cloudiness persists, clean any wax or polish with detergent and water, then spray a light coat of lacquer or lacquer thinner when dry. It should soften the finish enough for the trapped moisture to escape, and the finish will harden again in less than an hour.
You might have to resort to stronger stuff such as acetone (nail varnish remover) or bleach, but you must be so careful when using these methods. The lacquered surface could be damaged by bleach or acetone, so it is always best to try them out on an area that isn't seen, just in case anything does go awry.
“Lacquered wood can be wiped down with a damp cloth if it gets dirty but it is advisably to dry off the wood after. It can be dusted with a soft cloth and polished with an everyday spray polish. Other polishes or waxes can be used but generally it will not offer any more protection than a general spray polish.”
Lacquered MDF
Tinted lacquer may be cleaned with a solution of warm water and a small amount of mild dish detergent.
If your shellac finish is in good condition and just needs cleaning, use a mild, biodegradable liquid dishwashing soap diluted in warm water. Ring the rag out very well before you wipe the shellac surface. Never use "oil soap" products to clean natural historic finishes.
Look for soft cotton or chamois that will attract dust and avoid rubbing dirt into your surface. Start a regular routine once-a-week to remove any dust buildup. Avoid Spills. Lacquer protects the surface from immediate stains from liquid, but prolonged exposure will cause lacquer to dim in those areas or cloud.
Lacquered furniture is beautiful and offers many advantages, but it is also delicate. Over time, it may tend to turn yellow or acquire an unpleasant patina of dirt. But don't worry! It is easy to clean a lacquered kitchen correctly, even if it requires a little extra care.
Can I use beeswax on varnished wood? A. Yes, beeswax can be applied over all types of wood finishes including varnishes, stains, oils and paints.
High quality paste wax, 0000 steel wool and a little elbow grease can work wonders by making the scuff less visible. If the lacquer is thick enough, you can buff out scuffs with either rubbing and polishing compound, for gloss lacquer, or with 0000 steel wool and paste wax, for satin finishes.
Place a dusting of cleaner on damp microfiber. Dust the finish as quickly as possible to remove all the debris using a backward and forward motion (avoid circular wiping). Thoroughly wash with matte paint finish soap and wet microfiber cloth once the debris has been removed. If possible, rinse with water the surface.
You can use commercially prepared lemon oil. You can also make a simple polish by mixing 1 cup of olive oil with 1/4 cup white vinegar. Pour it on a soft cloth and work it into the wood, wiping with the grain. Buff till shiny.
Related Articles. Moisture is the reason that wood finishes turn milky. If you spray lacquer or shellac in humid conditions, water gets trapped inside the finish when the solvent evaporates. The resulting milkiness is called blushing.
Give it a swish in lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol, shake it out, and let it dry hard. When you need it again, just stand it in solvent. It will be soft and ready to use within 30 minutes. Water-soluble finishes: use soap and water.