We have our original bed room furniture set. which is about 30 years old.  Things like an errant drop of nail polish remover and a leaking windex bottle have removed the top coat.  Is this laq?  How best to test?  What you replace it with?

I am only worried about the top most surface where things get set.  The top coat is evidently clear.  As the underlying wood color is the same as the surrounding color.  Should I patch in more laq or just strip and replace?  Can Poly go over laq and do a better job of resisting the solvents?

I will try to upload pictures tonight.

 

That is a good question for Keith, will be following.

Herb

Almost certainly lacquer.   Put a drop of lacquer thinner on an obscure spot and see if it softens it (probably so, since nail polish remover is essentially lacquer thinner since nail polish is usually lacquer).    I can generally fix these without stripping.

 

You can buy clear aerosol lacquers from multiple sources, Deft and Watco brand lacquer are the ones you are likely to see, Mohawk and Guardsman are what the pros use.   If the color is not right you can get toners (lacquer with added color) and dust in some light coats of that as you go.  Add a light coat, let it dry (maybe help with fresh warm air from a hair dryer) and build up slowly.   Sand to level as needed when it's dry enough to sand (P400 on a sanding block).

 

I posted a photo of a before and after here a long while ago, I'll see if I can find it.

But do post your photos.

 

 

Edited June 4, 20188 yr by kmealy

Thanks Keith,

I have some more question.

if the area of top coat removal is as small as a drop I take it tape off the surrounding good finish with good leak proof masking tape the build up the laq letting each new coat burn into the other.  The once proud of the surface sand flush.  Then buff to the same sheen as the remaining top coat?

Or build up and spray the entire surface?

I will send some pictures once the phone charges.

 

I never tape off the area.  If you do, use the 3M green "Lacquer Tape" (#2060) as most painter tape adhesives will dissolve in the lacquer thinner and leave a sticky mess.  Taping off will leave a ridge that you'll need to take care of.

 

If it is a very small area, you might be able to just put in a drop of lacquer.   The only reason I don't do this in touch up is elapsed time.   If this is in your shop, waiting 30-60 minutes is not a problem, just go have a cold beverage.  You will probably need to sand once dried.  You can repeat as needed.  

 

Sheen is always an issue.   I have 7 different sheen aerosols in my kit.   Sometimes I can get spot on, and sometimes just close.  You can choose to buff/abrade to the sheen, either in the spot or all over.  Sometimes just a soft cloth or piece of kraft paper (grocery bag) will do the trick.   Or apply a light coat of a close sheen over the whole top.   I do either, depending on how it's going.