I usually hate (really hate.. I mean it...) when people talk so much but this time is different: this is teaching, not talking: explanations and insights (thank you very much 😊).
Excellent posting.....so many woodworkers struggle to apply a finish correctly due to some minor mistakes on their part so you have shown me how it finish lacquer correctly....many thanks!
cool. I worked in Novato in late 80's. loved it. i lived in occidental area in sonoma county back then. started building cajons in '08' moved to kansas in "10" still building them here. i follow your journey in wood..
@bogsdolics Foam brushes fall apart with lacquer. Glad to hear that about the heat. I've had people tell me that you should never lacquer in the heat. But I've done it for years and have never experienced any problems.
My Dad used spraying lacquer on all of the antique furniture my Mom bought. He taught me to spray when I was about 10 and I have used it ever since. I still have the compressor and gun he had from the early 50's. He would "rub out" the finish after it dried for a day or two - usually two.
@Strykercom1 Maybe you're right on the poly. I finished the mahogany the same way, but used Minwax Golden Oak stain. (It's my favorite shade of Minwax...looks great on anything.)
Steve - thanks so much for this particular vid. I have been spraying laq (Same brand I see in this vid) 4 so long I had forgatten that it can also be brushed. They make a sanding sealer that works better than thinned top coat when spraying. I love the personal touch of brushing and do say with the polys, but seems like the laquer always wants to pull a stain, at least for me. I'll give these tips a try on my next mid-size job.
I have been finishing for nearly 30 years. I have found the best way to dry my brushes is to first clean them thoroughly. Once you know they are clean, clean them again. This is always important if you buy expensive brushes. Then you should shake them at, or "pat" them against a piece of cardboard until no liquid stains the card board then hang them ,bristles down, and let them dry. Remember to "reshape" the bristles if they need it before hanging them.
At the beginning of your video, you stated that one of your reasons for not using wood stain is that you like the original grain to show more, and like the beauty of the original grain. I was curious if you have ever used wood dyes. I have found that while most stains obscure the grain a bit, the wood dye can actually bring out the grain and make it "pop" more than it did originally. I like both transtint and general finishes wood dyes, and have used them for several of my own projects. General finishes wood dye is fairly easy to apply and works just like a can of stain as far as the application. Transtint on the other hand comes as a concentrate that you dilute yourself to whatever strength you want (allowing for much darker or lighter versions of the color depending on your taste). I know it adds a step to the project, but definitely recommend them if you want the grain to show through really well, but also want to change the color a bit to better match a room or personal aesthetic.
Thanks for posting this. I'm finishing an electric guitar kit with a lacquer spray and, although your project is brushed, this helped me figure out the process I'm going to use. I'm planning on 5-7 coats of spray. Does that make sense?
Hi Steve, great job with the cajon build. If i may, could i enquire as to the total cost of the build including stain/paint etc and how long you would expect it to take for someone to make? i only ask as I'm trying to decide if i should make one or buy a cheap one then put a nicer tapa and adjustable snare into it.
hey can any1 help pls. I want to change the color (tallboy) and make it waterproof. Can I sandpaper and then paint with any color paint I choose? and then lacquer it? .. is this the correct process?
Excuse me- i just got into wood working and wanna know if i should apply laquer or varnish to a wooden sculpter. I want it to have that fine shiney and smooth look but to retain its nautural wood patern? What should i do
This would work on the neck (although many people don't like glossy neck finishes because your hand sticks to it a bit), but not on the fretboard. You should not apply a finish to your fretboard because it will come off. For that you use oil to condition the wood, rather than putting a finish on top.
Hi Boss would a foam brush be any good or would it add air bubbles, warming the wood! again I have heard boat builders talking about putting a heater on before varnishing then turning it off when shop hot, applying varnish then as the wood cools the gaps or holes in the woods fibres/grains reduce sucking the varnish into the wood grain, Graeme.
When applying the full strength lacquer, is it important to always brush in the same direction? For example, could you do the first coat with the grain and the next coat perpendicular to the grain?
Thanks for this great video! How do you deal with drips on the vertical faces? Even though I try to be careful, I sometimes still have a bit of lacquer that spills over the edge of the horizontal face that I’m coating.
Since you are an excellent teacher who cares, I'm going to quibble. You are right that there is no need to sand between coast of lacquer, unlike varnish. However, it is not because "there's some chemical reaction" but because there is none! Lacquer forms a film just by the solvent evaporating; the second coat dissolves a little of the film and the molecules intertwine, but don't join to each other. Varnish reacts with oxygen in the air, changing it; more thinner does not dissolve it when cured.
Do the same principles used in this video apply to applying lacquer to painted wood, not stained? And why is the lacquer thinned for the first coat, but not the second coat?
ron matthews The first coat seals the wood grain and holds the other coats to it. Thinning means it can soak into the grain better, giving a stronger, longer lasting finish. It's a normal thing to do when varnishing wood, ply or MDF. If wood is going to be painted it must be primed first, using a primer, to allow the undercoat (if used) and topcoat to adhere.
@@ronmatthews1738 spraying clear lacquer on mahogany , does it make the color of the wood darker when dried? Thats what I am trying to achieve on a area of wood repair on a guitar .
omg im so glad I just watched this video. im getting ready to use lacquet on a wood bed frame and i wouldve brushed it on like paint! ps whats a cohone?
It's spelled Cajon, but it's a kind of hand drum. You stand it up with the big hole toward the back, sit on it, and then drum on the front (that separate piece he shows at 0:33 is screwed to the front) There are also small chains called snares, similar to a snare drum, that are fixed inside the cajon against that front piece to give it an extra special sound when hit. There are some cool sounds that you can make from it just from hitting different locations on the drum with your hands. Really fun percussion instrument, and super easy to learn.
@@xinfinity8532 I'm about to touch up a battered, black-lacquered acoustic guitar, and after sanding the (extensive) bare-wood spots with 320 grit, I'm applying Varathane sanding sealer with a small artist's brush, sanding it lightly with the 320, wiping it down with a soft cloth, then brushing on 2 consecutive thin coats of black lacquer.
Hi, may I pick your brains please. I am looking for advice on what lacquer to buy. Silly question, can I use lacquer from a car accessory store? and if so, can I brush it on rather than spray? Cheers mate, I have always loved your videos and they way you explain.
+chris randell Both spray types and brush types dry quickly, but the spray types dry faster. The brush types are especially formulated to dry a bit slower so that you can brush out the finish smoother. You don't want to over brush them though.
+Ethan Starkey I think it depends. I am for the fun of it trying to paint some furniture and am using 'water based lacquer'. Which I think has no issues in terms of combustion. Its a little hard to apply though.
+Ethan Starkey No you don't, there is a few techniques to applying lacquer. BUT the best result and easiest is spraying (considering your area allows air borne chemicals, cause in australia i will have someone knocking on my door if i sprayed lacquer). It requires industrial area, and the equipment required is near 1 thousand bucks. Depending on the job at hand really. If its one table or a box like this, you wouldn't go and spend that much. Or pay someone to do it, that defeats the purpose as its not your own product no more (some people do it as a hobbie). There is the roll and tip technique, or just brush if its thinned correctly. Spraying you can actually give a very even "thick" coat in one go. Ive done spraying the most for commercial use so yea, but we spent a total of 50000 dollars to make that possible. (air compressor, spray equipment, spray booth, exhaust system). If you spray dont be an idiot and not wear the correct mask for it, you killing yourself.
Lacquer us SUPER THICK!!!! it dries FAST! you MUST THIN ITi finally got a decent finish with an 80% thinner and 20% Lacquer. Temp was only around 65°F !!! ...if you need to take an edge off or a drip, just use straight thinner, but carefully.
Hi Steve. I see you were concerned about the effects the sun would have on the lacquer finish. It would actually speed up the process and have no negative effects. An awesome art sculptor taught me some great stuff on high gloss finishes. Check out my project I did under in his class. His name is Tom Eckert. He is a Professor at Arizona State University.
i love your videos i like to tell about some thing new out i would like to see if you can try to make one or like it its call,d Farmer Foot Drum seen it on youtube
I usually hate (really hate.. I mean it...) when people talk so much but this time is different: this is teaching, not talking: explanations and insights (thank you very much 😊).
Excellent posting.....so many woodworkers struggle to apply a finish correctly due to some minor mistakes on their part so you have shown me how it finish lacquer correctly....many thanks!
Thanks man! I am constantly finding your videos topical for what I'm doing. Appreciate your content!!
cool. I worked in Novato in late 80's. loved it. i lived in occidental area in sonoma county back then. started building cajons in '08' moved to kansas in "10" still building them here. i follow your journey in wood..
@bogsdolics Foam brushes fall apart with lacquer. Glad to hear that about the heat. I've had people tell me that you should never lacquer in the heat. But I've done it for years and have never experienced any problems.
My Dad used spraying lacquer on all of the antique furniture my Mom bought. He taught me to spray when I was about 10 and I have used it ever since. I still have the compressor and gun he had from the early 50's. He would "rub out" the finish after it dried for a day or two - usually two.
@Strykercom1 Maybe you're right on the poly. I finished the mahogany the same way, but used Minwax Golden Oak stain. (It's my favorite shade of Minwax...looks great on anything.)
Steve - thanks so much for this particular vid. I have been spraying laq (Same brand I see in this vid) 4 so long I had forgatten that it can also be brushed. They make a sanding sealer that works better than thinned top coat when spraying.
I love the personal touch of brushing and do say with the polys, but seems like the laquer always wants to pull a stain, at least for me. I'll give these tips a try on my next mid-size job.
Thank you. I needed the information.
Just the video I was looking for.. great info
Yes. Build up the lacquer over several coats.
Steve.. I feel your lacquering tips will be here long after both you and I are gone. Lacquering a desk your way down in Australia
I have been finishing for nearly 30 years. I have found the best way to dry my brushes is to first clean them thoroughly. Once you know they are clean, clean them again. This is always important if you buy expensive brushes. Then you should shake them at, or "pat" them against a piece of cardboard until no liquid stains the card board then hang them ,bristles down, and let them dry. Remember to "reshape" the bristles if they need it before hanging them.
Cool tips, Keep up the great work!
Wish I watched this about an hour ago.
Why are we like this 🥺
@rcspads It's synthetic, but I think a natural or a blend would be better.
great video, especially with the single brush strokes, that's helped me. like me I don't like staining wood, keep the natural colour. Thanks.
thanks for sharing this video. Liked and subscribed
At the beginning of your video, you stated that one of your reasons for not using wood stain is that you like the original grain to show more, and like the beauty of the original grain. I was curious if you have ever used wood dyes. I have found that while most stains obscure the grain a bit, the wood dye can actually bring out the grain and make it "pop" more than it did originally. I like both transtint and general finishes wood dyes, and have used them for several of my own projects. General finishes wood dye is fairly easy to apply and works just like a can of stain as far as the application. Transtint on the other hand comes as a concentrate that you dilute yourself to whatever strength you want (allowing for much darker or lighter versions of the color depending on your taste). I know it adds a step to the project, but definitely recommend them if you want the grain to show through really well, but also want to change the color a bit to better match a room or personal aesthetic.
Just one thinned coat. It acts as a sealer. The rest are full strength.
Does this work on guitar necks and fretboard ?
nice video, do you think you can apply this stuff over a coloured waxed layer like osmo wax/oil?
what kind of stain did you use. oil??
I love the look of Sedona red with a clear lacquer finish. Brings out the grain pretty nicely. But, yes, I do prefer the natural look much better.
What stain did you use? I read that oil based stain gets destroyed when finished with lacquer.
Thanks for posting this. I'm finishing an electric guitar kit with a lacquer spray and, although your project is brushed, this helped me figure out the process I'm going to use. I'm planning on 5-7 coats of spray. Does that make sense?
will it fill the grains?
i have a question, i painted a coffee table with a lacquer that already had colour but it end up wrong, is there any way i can remove it?
Lacquer will work fine.
Hi Steve, great job with the cajon build. If i may, could i enquire as to the total cost of the build including stain/paint etc and how long you would expect it to take for someone to make? i only ask as I'm trying to decide if i should make one or buy a cheap one then put a nicer tapa and adjustable snare into it.
hey can any1 help pls. I want to change the color (tallboy) and make it waterproof. Can I sandpaper and then paint with any color paint I choose? and then lacquer it? .. is this the correct process?
could i use this on a guitar neck?
Excuse me- i just got into wood working and wanna know if i should apply laquer or varnish to a wooden sculpter. I want it to have that fine shiney and smooth look but to retain its nautural wood patern? What should i do
I like your video but kindly tell me how to add furniture color in lacquer I am waiting for your reply.
This would work on the neck (although many people don't like glossy neck finishes because your hand sticks to it a bit), but not on the fretboard. You should not apply a finish to your fretboard because it will come off. For that you use oil to condition the wood, rather than putting a finish on top.
Hi Boss would a foam brush be any good or would it add air bubbles,
warming the wood! again I have heard boat builders talking about putting a heater on before varnishing then turning it off when shop hot, applying varnish then as the wood cools the gaps or holes in the woods fibres/grains reduce sucking the varnish into the wood grain,
Graeme.
When applying the full strength lacquer, is it important to always brush in the same direction? For example, could you do the first coat with the grain and the next coat perpendicular to the grain?
that's cool, I have the same brush. the only problem I have with it is that it fills with liquid during washing and is tough to get out.
Awesome!!
Thanks for this great video! How do you deal with drips on the vertical faces? Even though I try to be careful, I sometimes still have a bit of lacquer that spills over the edge of the horizontal face that I’m coating.
I'm expecting to see a ghost or UFO or bigfoot or something in the background! Haha
Good video
how many channels do you have?
What kind of cherry stain is that?
How many channels do you have Steve???
I’ve not really found a concise answer but how many coats of lacquer will be adequate?
Since you are an excellent teacher who cares, I'm going to quibble.
You are right that there is no need to sand between coast of lacquer, unlike varnish. However, it is not because "there's some chemical reaction" but because there is none! Lacquer forms a film just by the solvent evaporating; the second coat dissolves a little of the film and the molecules intertwine, but don't join to each other. Varnish reacts with oxygen in the air, changing it; more thinner does not dissolve it when cured.
Steve, is that a natural or synthetic air brush?
hey thanks!
Do you sell your things
Nice video
Do the same principles used in this video apply to applying lacquer to painted wood, not stained? And why is the lacquer thinned for the first coat, but not the second coat?
ron matthews The first coat seals the wood grain and holds the other coats to it. Thinning means it can soak into the grain better, giving a stronger, longer lasting finish. It's a normal thing to do when varnishing wood, ply or MDF.
If wood is going to be painted it must be primed first, using a primer, to allow the undercoat (if used) and topcoat to adhere.
@@ronmatthews1738 spraying clear lacquer on mahogany , does it make the color of the wood darker when dried? Thats what I am trying to achieve on a area of wood repair on a guitar .
omg im so glad I just watched this video. im getting ready to use lacquet on a wood bed frame and i wouldve brushed it on like paint! ps whats a cohone?
It's spelled Cajon, but it's a kind of hand drum. You stand it up with the big hole toward the back, sit on it, and then drum on the front (that separate piece he shows at 0:33 is screwed to the front) There are also small chains called snares, similar to a snare drum, that are fixed inside the cajon against that front piece to give it an extra special sound when hit. There are some cool sounds that you can make from it just from hitting different locations on the drum with your hands. Really fun percussion instrument, and super easy to learn.
can you make lacquered black furniture
@@xinfinity8532 I'm about to touch up a battered, black-lacquered acoustic guitar, and after sanding the (extensive) bare-wood spots with 320 grit, I'm applying Varathane sanding sealer with a small artist's brush, sanding it lightly with the 320, wiping it down with a soft cloth, then brushing on 2 consecutive thin coats of black lacquer.
How do you store your brush post lacquer for long periods?
Clean it with thiner, dry it out by damping it on paper bag material. Wrap it in the same material.
I can't find a single source for 1/8" wood of any kind! but I have a closet that doesn't really NEED a door! (chuckle)
So I am sensing a little Bob Ross vibe here, am I wrong?
Hi, may I pick your brains please. I am looking for advice on what lacquer to buy. Silly question, can I use lacquer from a car accessory store? and if so, can I brush it on rather than spray? Cheers mate, I have always loved your videos and they way you explain.
+chris randell Both spray types and brush types dry quickly, but the spray types dry faster. The brush types are especially formulated to dry a bit slower so that you can brush out the finish smoother. You don't want to over brush them though.
Nice bird house
Is it a synthetic or natural brush?
It's natural Polish.
two
nice
why is all the places I've looked say you must spray on lacquer? And that it's super combustible? Seems all cheery here
+Ethan Starkey I think it depends. I am for the fun of it trying to paint some furniture and am using 'water based lacquer'. Which I think has no issues in terms of combustion. Its a little hard to apply though.
+Ethan Starkey No you don't, there is a few techniques to applying lacquer. BUT the best result and easiest is spraying (considering your area allows air borne chemicals, cause in australia i will have someone knocking on my door if i sprayed lacquer). It requires industrial area, and the equipment required is near 1 thousand bucks. Depending on the job at hand really. If its one table or a box like this, you wouldn't go and spend that much. Or pay someone to do it, that defeats the purpose as its not your own product no more (some people do it as a hobbie). There is the roll and tip technique, or just brush if its thinned correctly. Spraying you can actually give a very even "thick" coat in one go. Ive done spraying the most for commercial use so yea, but we spent a total of 50000 dollars to make that possible. (air compressor, spray equipment, spray booth, exhaust system). If you spray dont be an idiot and not wear the correct mask for it, you killing yourself.
This guy looks,sounds like John malkovich
Lacquer us SUPER THICK!!!!
it dries FAST!
you MUST THIN ITi finally got a decent finish with an 80% thinner and 20% Lacquer. Temp was only around 65°F !!!
...if you need to take an edge off or a drip, just use straight thinner, but carefully.
With the charisma of Alton Brown.
Hi Steve. I see you were concerned about the effects the sun would have on the lacquer finish. It would actually speed up the process and have no negative effects. An awesome art sculptor taught me some great stuff on high gloss finishes. Check out my project I did under in his class. His name is Tom Eckert. He is a Professor at Arizona State University.
Should see my old FORd. Makes his look like a Bentley.
Oil in hands as well. Wear a nitrile glove🤷🏻♂️
Did he just say 'kahon'? 0:25
He said cajón, that means drawer in spanish.
for the tapuh
i love your videos i like to tell about some thing new out i would like to see if you can try to make one or like it its call,d Farmer Foot Drum seen it on youtube
Just wonderin.. What is your day job Steve.... cheers Archie
LOL, I always forget that this is my wife's account. Im not Sue, I'm Dennis.
Is this sue and Dennis from florence,ms.
Applying lacquer in the direct sunlight is not a good thing
2.
You kinda look like House...
But kinda sounds like John Malkovich.
Sanding sealer only way to go.
All this talk of "rubbing one out..." lulz...
Why worry about the finish, when you did such a crappy job of building the box?
You look and sound and act like John Malkovich
Lacquer is interior only boo boo
Awful