Repairing Cracked Lacquer Varnish on Doors

Take the door out of its frame. Simply remove the screws securing the door to the hinges. Locate and remove the screws holding the doorknob in place. Set all the screws and other hardware in a safe place.

Lay the door down on a clear work table in a well-ventilated room. Put on gloves, goggles and a face mask. Wipe the door down with a cloth soaked in denatured alcohol.

Allow the alcohol to soak into the finish for about 10 minutes. Peel the old lacquer away with a paint scraper. Scrub stubborn spots with a scrub brush. Apply more denatured alcohol as necessary.

Wipe the door down with clean, damp cloth to remove any residue left from the lacquer and solvent. If there are any stains on the wood, scrub them out with a solution made with 1/4 cup of trisodium phosphate and 1 gallon of hot water. Rinse the door and allow it to dry.

Stir the lacquer until it is well-incorporated. Paint the lacquer on the door with a paintbrush. Use full, even strokes that go with the grain of the wood. Allow the lacquer to dry, then repeat the process for the opposite side of the door.

Apply a second coat of lacquer, if desired. Avoid adding too many coats of lacquer; one or two is usually enough for most wood surfaces. Allow the final coat of lacquer to dry before reassembling the door.