Uneven and splotchy spray can lacquer coat

Hello!
I am using Rust-oleum Specialty Lacquer in a spray can to coat a wood desk. I followed the directions on the can; however, the top looks really uneven and splotchy. Does anybody know how to fix this problem?

 

Welcome to the forums Sarah!

It's always difficult to get an even coat with spray cans - they just don't put out enough material. What is in the can has been drastically thinned in order for it to spray out the little tip. Was this new raw wood? or a recoat?

You can either buy more cans of lacquer and spray more on the wood trying to keep a wet edge as you go or brush/roll a coat of either lacquer [poly will probably work] on the top.

 

Thanks for your reply! It's a re-coat. I was wondering if I could roll or brush on lacquer. If so, would I just cover the spots that look bare or the whole top?

 

Not all lacquers are brushable so read the label

You need to sand the top smooth [remove dust] and then recoat the entire top. It's next to impossible to touch up any coating with a sheen on a slick surface.

 

Sounds good. I'm worried that if I re-sand the desk, the paint beneath the lacquer will come off too. Is that likely?
Sorry I have so many questions! I'm new to this DIY furniture stuff and the people at Home Depot weren't too helpful

 

Let's back up a little bit, what is the original finish on this top? I was thinking stain and poly or lacquer but you said paint ?? A pic might be helpful - http://www.doityourself.com/forum/el...-pictures.html

 

I originally purchased the desk off Craigslist. It was painted purple. I tried to peel off the purple by sanding and scraping but found it there was a layer of green under that! Instead I used primer/paint mix to re-paint the desk gray with a white top. I wanted to put something on the paint to protect it and make it look nicer and feel smoother. The people at Home Depot told me to buy the spray can lacquer for that. So I followed the instructions but that's what caused the splotches. It's not so bad on the gray, but really noticeable on the white.

I've attached two pics. Please ignore the kitty on top. He is not to be disturbed!

 

Unfortunately the folks in the paint dept at most big box stores don't know much more than their customers Ideally you would used an enamel which wouldn't have needed any clear top coat to protect it. It's not too late to go that route if you want, otherwise lightly sand the lacquer with 220 grit and apply another coat.

The main reason the grey looks ok is it's a smaller area and it was easier to keep a wet edge and harder to see where/if you didn't.

 

Yes, I will never ask their advice again, that's for sure. So if I do use the enamel, will I still need to sand off the lacquer? Also, is there an enamel you recommend?
Thank you so much for your help! I am so happy I found this website

 

Oil base enamels dry to the hardest film but whites yellow over time, waterborne enamel dries almost as hard as oil but dries quick, doesn't yellow and cleans up with water. Latex enamels dry to the softest film although there is a big difference between the quality brands and their cheaper counterparts. I doubt you'll find waterborne enamel at a big box paint dept. You'll always find better coatings [advice too] at your local paint store, just be sure to get their mid line or better. Big box paint depts tend to stock coatings based on low price rather than quality. Paint stores also sell the cheap stuff so you need to stay away from their lowest priced coatings.

If you sand the top with 120 - 150 grit sandpaper it should remove enough of the lacquer where it won't be an issue for the enamel you use.

 

Sounds good. I'll give this a try and let y'all know how it goes!