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Kryptos
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Registered: 11/01/14
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Lacquer on a dining table
#23392230 - 06/28/16 08:51 PM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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So, in one of my chemical pursuits I managed to melt half the lacquer off my dining table leaving a giant area with a whitish blush. I figure, the surest way to get rid of this is to sand the whole damn thing down and reapply a fresh coat of lacquer. Sadly, I am currently in the wet season of the southern United States, which a cursory google has told me will lead to even more problems. Any advice?
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Lacquer on a dining table [Re: Kryptos]
#23393122 - 06/29/16 05:54 AM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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Tablecloth.
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RedSnapper
nuerosonic


Registered: 12/29/10
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Loc: Endless marshlands
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Re: Lacquer on a dining table [Re: Kryptos]
#23393622 - 06/29/16 09:46 AM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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If you're going to go through the trouble of sanding and refinishing, I would recommend using a spar type urethane to re-coat the table top. The urethane will be way more durable than lacquer.
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Kryptos
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Re: Lacquer on a dining table [Re: RedSnapper]
#23395724 - 06/29/16 10:02 PM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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Upon further research, I don't know how necessary sanding and refinishing will be. I didn't melt clear through to the wood, and I think some of the finish just pooled a bit causing the change in color. I was thinking of getting some varnish thinner and some clear varnish, trying to just fill in the gaps and level it out.
Further advice is extremely appreciated, I'm no woodworker. I just know how to use a drill and a paintbrush.
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idiotek


Registered: 02/06/04
Posts: 40,728
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Re: Lacquer on a dining table [Re: Kryptos]
#23396560 - 06/30/16 06:51 AM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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Maybe just sand the part that's damaged and attempt to blend/match the finish with something new, like a polyurethane, spar varnish, or shellac. If it's an aged polyurethane type of finish, amber shellac might work to match the old stuff.
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Psychedelic Pupil
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Re: Lacquer on a dining table [Re: idiotek]
#23401165 - 07/01/16 01:24 PM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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Can you post a picture? I'd be able to help more if I could see the extent of the damage. I am a woodworker, familiar with many different finishes. (Shameless plug of a custom cherry counter-top I did recently at the end, sorry, couldn't help myself)
Lacquer is an interesting finish in that it can be re-wet to flow again for some repairs. Rarely would you sand lacquer in an attempt to repair it. Most finishes will show what you're calling a whitish blush because it has absorbed moisture. It's possible that whatever your chemical pursuits were re-wet the lacquer and it absorbed moisture and re-set.
-------------------- I'd like to think I'm smart enough to realize how much knowledge I don't have.
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Kryptos
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That's exactly what I think it is. Is there anything to do besides let it dry? I haven't done anything yet, and the spot is barely visible now (definitely invisible on the camera I have). I'm mostly worried because it's not my table.
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Psychedelic Pupil
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Registered: 09/27/12
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Re: Lacquer on a dining table [Re: Kryptos]
#23412824 - 07/05/16 07:10 AM (7 years, 7 months ago) |
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Yes, let it dry. How is it looking now after a few days? If it isn't completely gone you have a couple options.
You can buy a "blush remover" for lacquer. The problem is it's not widely available in big box hardware stores. You can search online and will likely find it available at guitar building sites. Lacquer is a common finish on many instruments. The blush remover is an aerosol can that you spray lightly on the effected area. It re-wets the finish and has a retardant in it that slows the cure time so moisture can escape before it hardens again.
The other option is to go to a hardware store and get a can of lacquer thinner and a can of lacquer retarder, sometimes called blush retarder. You want to make a mix of 75% thinner 25% retarder and with a fine misting spray bottle, again, lightly mist the affected area and let it set. You don't want it too wet or it will thin the finish to the point that it wont re-set properly. You just want it wet enough that the moisture can escape.
Without knowing all the details of what happened, or seeing pictures, I can't say 100% that blushing is the issue. If it is trapped moisture the above options will take care of it for you.
Good luck!
-------------------- I'd like to think I'm smart enough to realize how much knowledge I don't have.
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