Ha ha ha. I don’t know what TV show that line is from, but Adam and I use it all the time! It actually has relevance to this post. Why? because this post is about Lacquer! Yes, more on our table, finally.
So on to the “finishing” portion of our table journey. Don’t get excited, it’s not FINISHED, but it does have a finish on it.
Side note: Why is Finnish and finish and Polish and polish? Something going on in eastern Europe with furniture???
Sorry.
Adam and I realized very quickly that we would have to finish the table inside our condo. 1. it’s 1 million degrees outside and it would never set. 2. we don’t have a yard 3. it’s a million degrees out and we have no yard. So, I did some research for a low/no VOC product that would do the job. But first maybe I should explain that we came to the decision of a lacquer over an oil or a wax for two main reasons: durability and maintenance.
After a few Google searches I came up with Safecoat Acrylacq. {Safecoat Acrylacq Lacquer Finish is a clear, hard and durable high gloss, water-based replacement for high solvent content lacquer. Its very low odor and VOC content has allowed it to be used even in the homes of the chemically sensitive. Safecoat Acrylacq seals in outgassing from the substrate and has superior resistance to stains, marring and fingerprint marks. Also available in satin.}
Sounds fancy doesn’t it. Don’t worry, it has a fancy price tag too ($22/quart) Adam began putting even strokes and coats on the table top. And very quickly we knew we had made the right decision and our table was going to look awesome. the grains and colors and knots in the wood began popping out. And with each brush stroke his face would get more excited.
He started with the underside-which got only one coat.
You can see the stain on the left and the unstained on the right.
Then he flipped it and began the 2 coat/sand/1 coat process on the top.
After that he did the base and then we had to wait a week to let it cure. Finally it was time to screw the top down!
My job was to sit on it and make sure they were in complete contact…oh and take his picture 
Finally…it was one solid table!
And because these far off shots don’t do the wood justice here are some close ups.
We had purchased a quart of satin for the final coat, but after the first two coat we realized we liked the look of the gloss and decided to keep it. The finish is smooth and hard and brings out the beauty of each individual board…and yes dad, there are holes in it.
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And I don’t know if I ever explained how the whole table stands up-since the legs are apart of the top. but her is a picture of the legs and support. Adam figured it all out…with a tiny help from me.
Like a puzzle huh? But it works-it’s a nice strong table. You can also see how much a difference the lacquer made!
I love my new table.
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