Refinishing a baby highchair

I am refinishing a highchair that was stained and lacquer when it was new. It is now almost 30 years old and very beat up. Do I have to strip down all of the lacquer or can i lightly sand and re apply lacquer?

 

If it is that old it proably has a Nitrocellulose lacquer on it. If you want to use a nitro on it now, you may do so. first clean the surface and lightly scuff sand it with 220. this sanding is more to get grime off then adhesion becasue nitro will burn into the old coating. then take the bottom of the tray or somewhere else out of sight and test a small sample of the new lacquer. When you spray on your new stuff look to make sure it is not fisheyeing, bubbling, or lifting. once it is dry gently scratch at it with your nails. if it comes off very easly, you have an adhesion issue. if it does not come off easily, go ahead a spray the entire chair.

Keep in mind that Nitrocellulose lacquer have not chemical or moisture resistance to it. this means that any water or chemicals that get on it will damage the finish.

If you want a good lacquer that has great duribility then you will have more work involved. if you want to go this rout, then you will have to clean the surface very well and sand everything with 220. Then you will apply a test sample of a true vinyl sealer. this will act as a barrier coat between the old and new lacquer. if you get fisheyes, bubbles, or poor adheasion (which is abotu 20% likely) stop, you cannot use lacquer. If everything looks good, then finish it with a very good pre-cat lacquer. this will out perform any brushable product you could buy. if you have any other questions about products or process PM me.