How to Lacquer Furniture
Watch Gene transform a thrifted $5 mirror into a stunning high-gloss lacquered treasure. Lacquering is the perfect technique to elevate the look of your thrifted finds and give them a luxurious touch. Join us as we guide you through the entire process, from prepping the surface to applying multiple coats of lacquer, ensuring a flawless, glossy result. Discover the secrets and techniques to achieve a professional finish that will make your mirror shine like new. Don't miss out on this valuable DIY knowledge! Subscribe and turn on notifications for more tutorials and creative inspiration.
Products Used:
Additional Supplies:
- Lint free rag
- 320 or 400 grit sandpaper
BEFORE
Amy and Gene found this $5.00 mirror at the Haven House Thrift Store in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Keep reading to see how they give it new life with Lacquer!
Prep
Before you begin, take a look at your piece of furniture or décor. If it has an even and smooth surface, not grainy or coarse or raw wood, then you do not need to apply Lacquer Primer. If there is some unevenness or grain to the wood, Lacquer Primer will even that out. The smoother the surface of your piece, the higher and brighter the shine will be.
It's best to use lacquer in a well ventilated area as it does contain solvents. Be sure to block any wind with a lacquer tent or set up cardboard as a barrier if working outside and also to avoid overspray.
Step One
Clean your piece thoroughly with Clean Slate. Use a lint free rag (or an old t-shirt) to rub the cleaner all over your piece. Clean Slate removes any dust, dirt, grime, wax, and cleaning product residue from the surface. It's always best to prep your piece by cleaning with Clean Slate, as there are always residues on a surface that you cannot see, even if that is just natural grease from your hands. It's best to remove these to ensure the cleanest surface for a new finish.
Step Two
Whether you are using Lacquer Primer or not, the process of applying primer, lacquer, and top coat will be the same. Shake the can very well, 2-3 minutes. Begin spraying your piece 4-6 inches away from the surface in the following way: begin your pass inward and spray away from you to avoid overspray (see video below for demonstration). This is very important to get a good result. If your passes begin away from you and move inward, the spray from the lacquer will get on the previously painted area and cause specks and will not allow any kind of shine. Be sure to begin each pass away and move inward toward yourself to avoid this. Spray in this motion over the whole piece, making sure to apply even coverage to each section.
Your passes should be fast enough that you do not linger or cause drips, but slow enough that you are getting good coverage (see video below for demonstration). You may make several passes to each section as needed to completely cover the surface below.
Step Three
Once the first coat is done, allow to dry 35-45 minutes. The longer the dry time the better. Once dry, take 320 or 400 grit sandpaper and lightly sand. Not much pressure is needed. If there are any rough areas, you will be able to see them and lightly sand them out.
Once fully sanded, dust off well with a lint free rag. Repeat step two with a second coat of lacquer, let dry, and lightly sand.
Step Four
Take the Bright Idea Top Coat and shake well, 2-3 minutes. Apply in the same way as the previous lacquer coats, making sure to spray 4-6 inches away from the piece in the same sweeping motion described above. Once dry, you may apply a second coat in the same way. There is no need to sand after the last coat.
Finally
Enjoy the Bragging Rights!
BEFORE
AFTER
This dated $5.00 mirror is now a gorgeous high gloss piece for any room in your home. You can do it too! Find a thrifted piece and choose a finish. We have the products and tutorials you need to create a stunning transformation. When guests ask, you can tell them that YOU made your piece brand new. That's what we call Enjoying the Bragging Rights!
Watch the tutorial to see the full process from start to finish.
Want to see more stunning transformations? Join the Before and After Facebook Group to see how people just like you are flipping furniture, saving money, and Enjoying the Bragging Rights. You can also follow us on Facebook and get alerts when Amy goes live with her next project!
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