Easy Steps And Tips For Getting A Smooth Lacquer Finish
The traditional way of getting a mirror-like finish on the wood is by using a method called French polish, This method is time-consuming because of the stickiness of shellac. One of the demanding methods is to rub down an already hardened finish, such as lacquer. The lacquer is a varnish that mostly is used on wood to create a durable as well as the shiny surface. A clear lacquer varnish can be used on the natural wood surface, or the user can also employ a shiny colored lacquer to make out furniture more attractive. The steps to get a smooth lacquer finish are mentioned below:
- Sanding: If the wood has the old finish then remove it by sanding, if the wood does not have the old finish then the bare wood will help to make the surface smooth. The user can complete the sanding process with 150-grit aluminum oxide sandpaper, sand in the direction of the grain of the wood. Wipe off all the sanding dust with the help of a dry cloth.
- Filler: After the above step is done take and fill the grain using the oil or water-based wood grain filler. If the wood is an open-grained variety like oak, that time this step is more important, but filler makes it very easier to achieve a mirror finish on all types of varieties. Apply the filler with the help of paintbrush, scrape it out flat using a plastic paint scraper, after that let it dry completely. Using the hand sand it flat with 220-grit sandpaper, but sand in the direction of the grain of the wood.
- Spray: Brush or spray one coat of the lacquer finish. After applying the first coat let it dry until it becomes tack-free usually the lacquer takes about 20 minutes to dry depending on the conditions. Sand the lacquer by hand with the help of the 320-grit sandpaper and then wipe off all the sanding dust with the cloth.
- More Coats: Apply two more coats of lacquer finish, but it's important to sand between the coats and once the first coat is completely dry then go for another coat.
- Dry: For the best results allow the lacquer to dry out for almost a day after that remove bumps and any imperfections level it with 400-grit sandpaper. This will give a smooth substrate for the finish coats.
- Wet Coat: After the above step the user needs to apply three more coats of lacquer finish, but again sanding between each coat with the help of 400-grit sandpaper. Before rubbing them give the finishes enough time to fully cure. The Lacquer usually takes about a week, while varnish cures in two weeks.
- Wet-sand: Now use the silicon carbide sandpaper for wet sanding the surface, simply use water as a lubricant. Start the sanding using the 400-grit paper to remove down all the gross imperfections, then sand the entire surface with the help of 600-grit sandpaper. Continue rubbing until all the surface shows a uniform dull sheen. Repeat the process using 800-, 1000- and 1200-grit sandpaper.
- 4F Pumice: At last, the user needs to sprinkle 4F pumice on the wood, firstly spray some water or even rubbing oil on it, and then buff up the finish with the help of cotton cloth. For a full gloss finish use a power buffer.
Tip
- The lacquer should be sprayed lacquer, the spraying will make it very easier to get a mirror finish on the item.
- If the user is staining the wood, that time apply the stain after finishing filling out the grain. The grain filler should match the color of the stained wood. Most of the fillers don't accept stain very well.
- The user needs to be very careful while rubbing around the edges of the surface. The finish is very thinner there, and it is very easy to rub through it.
- Its also very important to wear a respirator and also keep the room very well ventilated whenever the user spray lacquer.