East Asian lacquer is a resin made from the highly toxic sap of the Rhus verniciflua tree, which is native to the area and a close relative of poison ivy. In essence, lacquer is a natural plastic; it is remarkably resistant to water, acid, and, to a certain extent, heat.
What is Chinese lacquer used for?
Lacquer was a popular form of decoration and protective covering in ancient China. It was used to colour and beautify screens, furniture, bowls, cups, sculpture, musical instruments, and coffins, where it could be carved, incised, and inlaid to show off scenes from nature, mythology, and literature.Jun 30, 2017
What is Japanese lacquer made from?
Urushi tree
How do you get scratches out of a black lacquer table?
Level a large scratch, after coloring the wood, by sanding it lightly with 600-grit sandpaper, then dabbing it with lacquer-based clear nail polish, using the applicator that comes in the bottle, instructs This Old House. The lacquer will soften the old finish, and the scratch should disappear.
How do you clean old Chinese lacquer?
Avoid chipping or scratching lacquer by moving furniture with care and keeping surfaces clear of sharp or heavy objects. Do not use water, oil or solvents on the surface. For daily cleaning, use a soft, dry cloth. If the surface is dull or dirty, lightly polish it using a high-quality clear paste wax.Aug 10, 2016
Can lacquer be restored?
Lacquer can be a very forgiving finish material, and if you understand its characteristics, repairing damage to a lacquered surface can be easy. ... A lacquer surface coating hardens when the solvent evaporates, and applying more solvent will soften it again.
How do you restore Japanese lacquer?
Restore the appearance of lacquer pieces that have been damaged by exposure to light by polishing them with carnauba wax. Apply the wax with a soft cloth and polish it lightly with another clean cloth or a lambswool buffer. Use wax only to restore damaged pieces; avoid using it on pieces in good condition.
How do you clean Oriental lacquer?
To remove dust, use a soft brush such as a hake brush. It is safe to use a very slightly damp, soft cloth to further clean lacquer. Never immerse in water. Also, do not use commercial products such as Pledge or Endust, which may permanently ruin the lacquer finish.Jan 9, 2013
How do you restore Chinese lacquer?
Spray a small amount of solvent-based furniture cleaner on a dry rag and wipe the lacquer gently, starting with a small section. Wipe this away immediately with a damp cloth and then dry the area with a dry cloth. Repeat this process, working in manageable sections, until the lacquer is clean.
How do you clean old lacquer furniture?
- Put a teaspoon of soap to one-half gallon of warm water.
- Dip a clean cloth and wring out excess water.
- Ensure that the cloth is damp but not wet.
- Use down strokes when wiping the furniture. ...
- Avoid a cleaning product that contains ammonia or bleach.
- Dry the furniture with a soft dry cloth.