Watch out for that 'quick dry' lacquer from the big box stores

I used a can of their 'one hour recoat' stuff on a maple dresser last week. It felt dry to the touch in 45 minutes, so I put on the second coat. Three days later, the finish is still soft and gummy under the surface. I can dent it with my fingernail. I think the fast dry is just the top skin, and the solvents are trapped underneath. I'm going to have to strip the whole thing back to bare wood now. Has anyone found a brand of spray lacquer that actually cures through properly?

2 comments

2 Comments

taylor9298d ago

Yeah, that trapped solvent thing is the worst. I've had the same problem with those fast dry sprays, it's like they lie on the label. For what it's worth, I've had much better luck with the Deft brand spray lacquer from the hardware store. It takes longer to dry between coats, but it actually cures all the way through. You might have to strip that piece though, sorry man.

jackson.sarah8d agoMost Upvoted

Three days is my minimum wait time between coats now, even if the can says recoat in one hour. That tacky feeling means it's still off gassing underneath. I learned the hard way on a guitar body I had to completely sand back to bare wood. A heat lamp on low in the room can help speed up the real curing process without causing more problems.