Lacquer Finishing Problem

Re: Lacquer Finishing Problem

Russ Fairfield

>The problem may be in the soluble oils that are on the surface of the Poly finish. This often causes problems with putting a nitro-cellulose finish over anything that is waterborne.

It may be as simple as the Poly finish not being fully cured. Have you tried buffing it with 0000-steel wool? If the Poly finish comes off the surface as anything other than a dry white power that can be slapped out of the steel wool, it isn't dry yet.

Other than that, try a brush-on lacquer (Deft) as a barrier coat. Apply a heavy coat with a brush and wipe it dry. Then try the spray coat again and see if it flows out the way it should. The thin coat of lacquer that is left behind should be all the barrier you need.

If you already have a lacquer coat on the surface, soften it with thinner, wipe it off, and buff with 0000-steel wool. Then try spraying.

Re: Lacquer Finishing Problem

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Russ,

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

Fortunately for me, I listen when you speak (write), and I had already done all of what you suggested.

The grain filler had dried 24 hrs (instructions call for 2 hours), and when sanded came off in an fine white powder.

I wiped the surface of the bowls down with a lacquer thinner soaked rag and then applyed Deft, let set for a couple of minutes, and then wiped it dry.

I then sprayed, but the smooth application then orange peeled.

Interestingly, the base, where no grain filler had been applied, remained smooth.

So, what I have decided to do, was to leave the lacquer on, and sand it level in a day or two and then continue to apply my coats.

I have another one ready to finish, and I think I am going to try a de-waxxed shellac barrier coat.

Have you ever sprayed shellac for this use?

Thanks for your help

Mark

Re: Lacquer Finishing Problem

Joel Hunnicutt

>Mark, I've sprayed shellac a couple of times and it sprays differently than lacquer. It was allot more "runny". I also got some really bad blush, but it cleared up on it's on unlike lacquer.

Re: Lacquer Finishing Problem

Russ Fairfield

>Why don't you use a lacquer based grain filler/sealer and save yourself the troubles from using incompatible finishes and barrier coats.

You can make a very good grain filler by mixing 4F Pumice into a thinned lacquer. The Pumice is transparent, and is what I use to fill the wood under a French Polish with shellac. Try it on a scrap to experiment with quantities and see what you think of it.

Some folks will advocate using an Oil finish under lacquer to "pop" the grain. I use lacquer without the oil because it does just as good a job on most wood, there are no compatibility problems, and it doesn't get as dark with age as the Oil.

Re: Lacquer Finishing Problem

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Thanks for the "How-To", Russ! I will give the pumice a try.

was using this product because some on the message boards recommended it. Looking at the Target Coatings web page, it is easy to see that they are big in the Waterborne Lacquer products. They even have a Waterborne Shellac to use as a barrier coat!

Thanks again - I should have posted my original request about grain fillers here instead of the regular message boards.

Mark.