OK, have been busting my but the past two weekends trying to refinish my dull woodwork. I've been stripping, sanding and (danish) oiling my darned oak woodwork dawn to dusk four full days ! Blech! Ive worn out two pairs of rubber gloves, I have semi permanent marks on my face from my respirator, the kitchen is done, but the bedroom area is only half complete. I'm also getting inconsistent results--wood with a small grain looks amazing, wood with prominent grain and rings looks worse. So, now of all times (I suppose better late than never), I notice what is written on the VAC FAQ for interiors:
Quote:
From 1947 to 1971, the finish was a natural finish semi-gloss catalyzed lacquer except on the exotic woods (mahogany, cherry, walnut), where the finish was a Natural Oil Finish. From 1972 to the present-day Polyurethane finishes, it was wood-grain vinyl.
Legend has it to be one exception: the interior wood of the then inexpensive 1961-1963 Bambi was finished with an opaque paint/varnish. This was done because the plywood veneer used was visually flawed and had been rejected by the production line for the larger Airstreams.
The FAQ goes on to suggest using Fornby's Restorer, then finishing with Mohawk's satin Pre-Catalyzed Lacquer reduced with the Lacquer Reducer 2255. I went to Mohawk's website and they only sell to dealers. Problem is, I can't find a dealer! So, armed with this information, I went down to my local woodworking store and asked them. The moment I said "Pre-Catalyzed" I got blank expression that could only translate into "what the * is she babbling about?..." They didn't know what I was talking about and these guys are finishing geeks!
OK, I figure I'm doomed to resand all the grainy looking bits of woodwork (or do you think I can just lay it on the danish oil--it is also an oil product?), then I'd like to use some approximation of that laquer. Anyone know where I can get it--or a brand that is available?
I'm not an expert, but I think the reason you can't find precat lacquer is that it has a limited shelf life. It's was mostly used by manufacturers (like Airstream) because it is easy to get a durable finish using industrial spray equipment.
Because it has a short (6 month) shelf life, it's not something your regular woodworking store would keep in stock. A company like Airstream used enough to keep the product fresh, and they probably ordered it fresh every month from the manufacturer.
Not to discourage you. I'm sure you can find it if you look hard enough. Call larger specialty paint retailers.
I don't know how well it will work over freshly oiled finishes.
Thanks for the info. I suppose I'm going to have to search for this. Never thought buying lacquer would become like tracking down an old airstream part! Oh, the adventures just keep on coming!
OK, have been busting my but the past two weekends trying to refinish my dull woodwork. I've been stripping, sanding and (danish) oiling my darned oak woodwork dawn to dusk four full days ! Blech! Ive worn out two pairs of rubber gloves, I have semi permanent marks on my face from my respirator, the kitchen is done, but the bedroom area is only half complete. I'm also getting inconsistent results--wood with a small grain looks amazing, wood with prominent grain and rings looks worse. So, now of all times (I suppose better late than never), I notice what is written on the VAC FAQ for interiors:
The FAQ goes on to suggest using Fornby's Restorer, then finishing with Mohawk's satin Pre-Catalyzed Lacquer reduced with the Lacquer Reducer 2255. I went to Mohawk's website and they only sell to dealers. Problem is, I can't find a dealer! So, armed with this information, I went down to my local woodworking store and asked them. The moment I said "Pre-Catalyzed" I got blank expression that could only translate into "what the * is she babbling about?..." They didn't know what I was talking about and these guys are finishing geeks!
OK, I figure I'm doomed to resand all the grainy looking bits of woodwork (or do you think I can just lay it on the danish oil--it is also an oil product?), then I'd like to use some approximation of that laquer. Anyone know where I can get it--or a brand that is available?
Thanks if you know anything!
Mary
Catalyzed lacquer - When you dip a feline in paint.
Just like Don said, pre cat has a shelf life of six months. Basically, pre cat has a hardener added to it just prior to sale. This hardener also makes the lacquer dry quickly and smooth. It will be dry to touch in 10 to 20 minutes and completely dry anywhere from 24 hours to 1 week, depending upon humidity. Items should not be laid, leaned or propped against the finish until completely dry.
How do I know this? My son is a custom cabinet maker and uses this almost exclusively (except for the hand rubbed tung oil finish on my new dining room table).
The source ---- Sherwin-Williams.
__________________
Beth
67 Sovereign, double bed, rear bath-"Moby"
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 Hemi, Quad Cab-"Ahab"
"Living in the belly of the whale is cool"
I used Deft on my stained cabinets in the house. Its a good product, easy to use, and easy to repair when needed. I sprayed mine but it works just as well with a brush.
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Past President Tidewater Unit 111
visit tidewater Virginia's web page @ www.tidewaterwbcci.com
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Mary:
I used to refinish furniture/ woodwork for a living. Although catalyst lacquers are very durable they contain formaldehyde and will those emit odors in your trailer for quite awhile and give you nasty headaches.
My advice is to stick to the Deft brushing lacquers, which do not require spray gun facilities and you will get very satisfactory results.
We used to only use pre-cat in industrial and institutional applications.
__________________
Murray
AIR #189
"If aluminum isn't magnetic- why am I so attracted to to it?"
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