Expert: Greg Scholl - 4/15/2010

Question
QUESTION: Greg-we just bought new end tables with a lacquer finish top from an office furniture supply store. They are from China, so I don't know the composition of the finish. My question is what is the best way to clean them, just normal cleaning, and is it necessary to use coasters (I'm assuming "yes"). Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Bobbie, normal cleaning can be done with a damp cloth, hand drying the finish with a clean, dry cloth.Coasters are always a good idea, and you can use a spray polish every few months like Endust, or Guardsmen, or Old English...one that does NOT contain silicone...(it should say so right on the label). Hope that helps- regards- Greg

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Greg-would it be possible to put water-based (or other) polyurethane over the lacquer finish? How would we go about that if it is possible-any special prep?

ANSWER: It's not recommended, and I'm not sure why you'd want to....lacquers and urethanes aren't really compatible, and you risk adhesion problems and other issues.you'd want to strip the tables and then refinish them. Polyurethane would not be a better finish if that's what you're thinking......especially if you use it on top of the lacquer. Another option is to get a piece of glass for each if you're that worried...it would cost less than refinishing them, and protect them well.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Greg-you were very helpful before and now I have another question. We have 2 cats and unfortunately one of them has scratched the top of the above-mentioned table. The scratch does not go through to the wood, but is there something we could rub on it to sort of fill in the scratch without harming the lacquer? Also, I'm following your advice to just use a damp turkish towel to wipe the tables with and dry them. Isn't that just coating the top with cat paw print grease? What should I use, if anything, to combat that?

Answer
You can try a furniture touch up marker on the scratch, but lacquer can be difficult to touch up when scratched with a sharp implement like that....for cleaning you can use an oil based polish like Guardsman or Endust,containing NO Silicones or Waxes, (it will clearly say so on the label), just make sure to buff it off completely everytime you use it, and use it rarely and sparely.Once every couple of months should suffice. People notoriously over-apply these products..... A product like that will liquify, kitty oils, smoke, grease, etc. just long enough to be rubbed away with a clean cloth. Rigorous hand buffing with a soft cloth will keep the lacquer coat clean and smooth.