How To Remove Lacquer Finishes From Furniture

Level of Difficulty: Novice

Time: About two hours for removal of laquer, and an hour for stain and polyurethane.

With a little bit of patience and hard work you can remove a lacquer finish from your wood product and prepare it for refinishing in no time. Lacquer finishes look great on wood. They provide a hard, durable finish that can have any sheen from ultra matte to high gloss. Lacquer is much more durable than its predecessor in the furniture industry, shellac. While shellac can dissolve easily with alcohol, lacquer is meant to be a very durable finish in order to protect the wood beneath it. Because of this, it can be difficult to remove. Fortunately, it is not as hard as it looks. Special Note Lacquer creates hazardous fumes. Even if you are only removing it, it can pose a threat. Only work with lacquer in well-ventilated areas and be sure you wear a respirator mask to avoid inhaling the fumes.

Step 1 - Prepare the Mixture

In a bucket, mix equal parts denatured alcohol and lacquer thinner. Be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area, as the fumes can be dangerous. Wear your respirator and work outside if you can. The last thing you want to do is pass out from the fumes. With all the work that will be needed to sand and scrape the lacquer away, there will be plenty of time for passing out later.

Step 2 - Spread the Mixture on the Wood

Use a clean paint brush and spread the mixture on a small surface of the wood. Allow the mixture to sit for one minute.

TIP: Painting professional Edward Kimble, author of Interior House Painting Blog, suggests, “Give the removal chemicals time to work, but don’t let them dry.”

Step 3 - Start Scraping

Use the scraper and steel wool to begin removing the lacquer. This process will take time and effort, so be sure to give yourself plenty of breaks. As you scrape, the majority of the lacquer will come away. Work section by section until most of the lacquer is gone.

TIP: Edward says, “Steel wool is ok, but you can also use a scouring pad like those made for doing dishes.”

Step 4 - Remove the Remaining Lacquer

Go back over any remaining traces of lacquer with a sponge and soak with the mixture of alcohol and lacquer thinner. Allow this mixture to sit for a few minutes, then scrape off.

TIP: Edward adds, “Dispose of the mess made by lacquer removal immediately, and not in a plastic bag where pets or wild animals can be injured from the mess.”

Step 5 - Sand It Away

Lightly sand the piece all over with fine grit sandpaper. This type of sandpaper will leave the furniture with a nice smooth finish that will make re-finishing easier later. If you still have some traces of the old lacquer, the sanding process will also remove these.

Step 6 - Prepare for Refinishing with Stain

Clear away any sanding residue with a clean paint brush or a clean rag. You can now select a color of stain for the wood. Now that your wood is free of lacquer it is up to you to choose the new finish. Unfinished wood is like a blank canvas for a painter. Feel free to let your imagination run wild. This is a good opportunity to paint on any custom designs or sports logos, paste down pressed flowers or photographs, or whatever personal stamp you have in mind on the unfinished wood. The new lacquer finish will seal the design. This is a great way to dress up an older piece of furniture.

Edward Kimble, professional painter and author of Interior House Painting Blog, contributed to this article.