Calling all lacquer sniffers! (finish question)

If your surface is flat, start with a sheet of 600 grit wet-or-dry on a sanding block and wet sand the surface to get all the orange peel and swarf bumps out. Then, get the white polishing compound (not the orange) from any auto parts store and use a small damp rag. Rub in circles and keep the surface damp. The more you rub, the more gloss.

You can use a 1000 grit wet-or-dry prior to the polishing compound, if you want. It'll make the polishing faster.

If you do a lot of rub out, get the Menzerna brand compounds - a coarse, medium fine and the very fine. Target Coatings carries the Menzerna brand. Good stuff.

Mike

P.S. You normally should put three coats of lacquer on before you rub out so that the finish is thick enough that you don't sand or polish through it.
 
Excellent! Just the info I was looking for....thanks guys!

There's probably 6-8 coats on there so thickness shouldn't be a problem. Any additional tips if the surface is curved?
 
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Excellent! Just the info I was looking for....thanks guys!

There's probably 6-8 coats on there so thickness shouldn't be a problem. Any additional tips if the surface is curved?
If the surface is curved and not too big, use the orange compound from the auto parts store. I think it's called rubbing compound and the white stuff is called polishing compound. Rub the same way as described above for the polishing compound.

It's just a lot of work but it will do the job. The coarse Menzerna is probalby faster than the auto rubbing compound but the auto stuff is more available.

In any case, follow with the white polishing compound to bring up the shine.

To get the feel for the rubbing, I'd do a scrap piece first and see how it works for you.

Mike
 
The only think I would say is to not be too impatient... One of my major faults. Let it dry and dry and dry before you tackle the wet sanding and polishing...
 
I've used Mike's procedure on flatwork with great results. On round stuff I'll wet sand with 600 (without a block, or with a medium firm rubber pad) carefully, then go straight to the buffing wheels with tripoli followed by white diamond compound, or Don Pencil's PL compound all by itself. After either of these buffing approaches, then I follow with Renaissance wax.
 
Not my way. I use Pumice and Mineral Oil and a Felt Caulkboard Eraser. rub it down with pumice & oil, then when it is smoothe, start to bring the gloss with Rotten stone & Oil, again with a new Felt Eraser.

No need for the sandpaper which removes too much finish or the wet sanding which IMHO is not good for Lacquer finishes or wood for that matter.

This method works for me and has for more decades than I care to remember, The wet sanding may be a favorite of others but try the oil rub and see how quickly the finish is evened out and brought to the shine you prefer. You can control the gloss with your efforts. :thumb:

You can get Pumice and Rotten Stone at any good WWing store, Mineral Oil at the drug store. Erasers at any School supply store. (I keep them in a plastic Peanut Butter jar till my next need (be sure and mark which is Pumice & which is Rotten stone)):thumb:
 
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