How to Lacquer Raw Wood Tables
Since nitrocellulose lacquer includes cellulose, it’s naturally compatible with hardwood. Though it isn’t as hard as other kinds of lacquer, it is the sole finishers use most frequently. It dries by evaporation and has a brief open time, and that means you must employ it by spraying, also it will not level properly. A high-pressure, low-volume air sprayer provides the best coverage with the least waste via overspray. When lacquering raw wood furniture such as tables, properly sanding the wood and building the end with several coats are keys to achieving the very best results.
Ready the wood by sanding out factory marks and scratches with a palm sander and 120-grit sandpaper. Follow up by hand-sanding along the grain with 150-grit sandpaper.
Wipe off the sanding dust with a slightly damp rag. Apply stain, if needed, by brushing it on with a paintbrush, letting it penetrate for approximately 10 minutes, and wiping off the excess with a rag. Let the stain dry immediately.
Fill out the cup of the HVLP sprayer around 3/4 filled with lacquer sanding sealer. Adjust the pressure of a compressor to 40 to 45 psi and spray a full wet coat of the sealer over the entire table. Sizes two coats over the tabletop, first moving the gun in 1 direction and then moving it in the perpendicular direction. Alternating the direction between coats assists avoid streaks.
Keep the tip of the gun approximately 6 inches from the surface when spraying, and avoid arcing in the ends of your strokes. If the end is grainy, move the gun somewhat closer. If the finish runs, then move it further away. You can also control how far lacquer you deliver by adjusting the speed in which you move the gun.
Sand the table by hand with 220-grit sandpaper if the sanding sealer dries, usually about 30 minutes. Sanding knocks down the grain and smooth and creates substrate for completing. Wipe the sanding dust off with a dry rag once you are done.
Spray a moist coat of clear lacquer in precisely the exact same manner that you sprayed the sanding sealer. Make certain all places you spray have a lustrous coat of stuff.
Wait for the lacquer to dry, then sand it with 220-grit sandpaper and spray a second coat. Repeat this procedure at least once again, though you might want to spray the top with a lot more coats to build up the end. Don’t sand the last coat.
Polish the very best once the lacquer has completely dried, usually about two hours. Spread polishing compound with a rag and buff it up with a lambswool buffer. You can also polish lacquer with paste wax and a buffer.