Lacquer Finish Do It Yourself
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Hello,

My good dining room table has a lacquer finish on it. I would like to make the table more user friendly. Is there anything I can apply to the top of the table so that I do not have to use a table cloth every time we use the table. I would prefer not to strip the piece but rather add to the existing finish if this is possible. I have searched for something on this subject and cannot find any information. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

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Lacquer is durable

They don't come much better than lacquer. To apply more finish to an existing finish, you should use the same type of finish. Take a look at Deft, it's a very good durable brushing lacquer finish and is very easy to apply.

Apply a heavy lacquer coat

The only way you can really have a problem applying it is in applying the coat too thin and overbrushing. It takes a good brushful and applying it heavy with just a couple of brush strokes to spread it out. You can't go back a couple of minutes later and rebrush or it will mess it up. Good ventilation is necessary because lacquer fumes are very potent. Be sure to test an inconspicuous place to be sure that your finish is a true lacquer finish or it could pucker.

Lacquer and Polyurethane aren't compatible

Don't use Defthane over a lacquer finish, the two aren't compatible. Defthane is polyurethane and if you've read much on our web site you'll know that polyurethane isn't one of my favorites for a furniture finish.

Our antique walnut dining table gets heavy use

The dining room set in the background of our web site logo in the upper left of each page is our set. It isn't too easily discernable since it's a background, but it's from the turn of the last century, walnut and has gone through 2 sons and a daughter and is now getting full use by our 6 year old granddaughter. We spread newspapers on it and use it for craft projects, art and painting, for homework and 3 meals a day plus snacks. Generally when our granddaughter has 2 or 3 friends over and they have milk and cookies, it's usually on the bare table. We don't use any wax or polish, just a damp cloth and a light buff with a dry soft cloth.

We refinished the set about 25 years ago and I sprayed the lacquer finish on, but it's pretty much the same type of product as Deft.

Chinese have used lacquer for centuries

The Chinese have used lacquer for centuries and some pretty priceless Chinese artifacts have centuries old lacquer finishes.

Nope, I don't own stock in Deft, I just prefer lacquer.