Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/"Lacquer" problem

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/18/2008


Question
I bought 2 nightstands from an oriental import store going out of business. They are supposed to be "lacquered"-it has a satin like sheen-not glossy. When I lay anything on them (books, papers,etc)the surface underneath becomes blotchy. Also, after about a month, the vertical surfaces seemed to lose it's finish/faded very unevenly.  Yet when I applied Old English furniture polish, all of this disappeared and it looked like new. I lived in the desert with very low humidity so I don't know if this contributes to the problem. Is this typical of lacquer? Must I constantly apply polish(at least one a day) to maintain it's look? Can I apply a sealer of some sort to make them more user friendly?Should I apply another coat of lacquer if that indeed is the finish.

Answer
Hi Linda, you mean the sheen gets blotchy? I would not use the Old English more than one or twice a year(!) typically. A good lacquer finish shouldn't need an oil polish, in fact it will stay smeary and oily if over applied. It sounds to me like perhaps they are not lacquered if they're exhibiting that type of change over such a short period of time. They could be finished with any one of a myriad of finish products....I have been hearing a lot of complaints like this from people who have bought imported furniture from the far East, lately. I would definitely say that you're over applying the polish, though, and that will contribute to the sheen changing, as you leave oil behind everytime. What happens if you just buff hard with a clean soft cloth? I have heard of gasoline used as a solvent to apply wax finishes, dirty motor oil used as a stain, acid used to "antique" the wood, etc., etc., so it's hard to know how to advise you without being able to examine the pieces. Perhaps this type of issue contributed to the company going out of business? Post back - regards- Greg

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.