Shiny black tables and accessories have been elements of formal Asian style for hundreds of years. The art of lacquering originally included sanding and applying as many as 100 coats of lacquer to a piece. DIY Decorating & Design host Nancy Golden demonstrates a quick method to create a beautiful black lacquered finish on a wooden box. Materials:
Wooden box
Sandpaper -- 220- and 600-grit
Tack cloth
Spray-paint lacquer primer
Face mask
Black spray-paint lacquer
Optional (for tortoiseshell panel on lid): painter's tape, yellow spray lacquer, brown oil-based paint and brush
Clear lacquer sealer
Very fine steel wool
A successful lacquered finish has the look of shiny glass. The process involves applying many coats of paint and sanding the surface smooth between coats. - Sand the wooden box very well with 220-grit sandpaper (figure A). Remove the dust with a tack cloth.
- When using spray paint, always wear a mask and work in a well-ventilated area. Spray the box with primer (figure B). Let dry.
- When the primer is completely dry, sand the piece with 600-grit sandpaper (figure C). Wipe clean with a tack cloth.
- Spray the box with a coat of black lacquer (figure D) and when dry, sand again with 600-grit sandpaper (figure E). Continue the process of sanding and painting for a minimum of three coats of paint, allowing each to dry thoroughly before adding the next. You've applied enough coats of paint when you can no longer see the grain of the wood.
- Now create a faux tortoiseshell lid, if desired. Use painter's tape to mask the area to be painted. Paint the interior of the square yellow, and when dry, suggest a mottled tortoiseshell surface by feathering on brown paint with a brush.
- When the box is complete, spray on clear lacquer sealer (figure F). When dry, smooth the surface with very fine steel wool.
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