How to Put Clear Lacquer on a Natural Wood Table

Place the table in a well-ventilated area. Set up an exhaust to face outdoors. When spraying, position yourself between the fan and table with the airflow directing the fumes to the open doors or windows. A garage with a large open door makes a good workroom when spraying lacquer.

Extinguish all open flames, including pilot lights, candles or lit cigarettes. Put on safety goggles and an organic-cartridge respirator.

Wipe the wood table with a tack rag to remove all dust.

Fill a paint sprayer with lacquer sanding-sealer. Adjust the nozzle on the spray gun to a horizontal fan spray. Hold the spray gun at a 90-degree angle to the surface, 6 to 8 inches away and spray on. Change the spray gun nozzle direction to a vertical fan spray to apply sealer to legs, and then let the sealer dry thoroughly, usually 45 to 60 minutes. Wrap 320-grit sandpaper around a sanding block and sand the surface of the table. Wipe the table's surface with a tack cloth. Apply a second coat of sanding-sealer, let it dry, sand the surface and wipe with a tack cloth. Empty the sprayer and clean out the sealer residue according to the sealer manufacturer's directions.

Fill a paint sprayer with lacquer and the appropriate amount of lacquer thinner as prescribed by the lacquer manufacturer's directions. Some spray-on lacquers come pre-thinned, but most require thinning before spraying.

Set the adjustment knob on the spray gun for a wide fan pattern. Aim the spray gun at the table at a 90-degree angle, 6 to 8 inches from its surface. Turn the sprayer on and spray the surface with a thin coat of lacquer. Do not concentrate the lacquer spray in one area, or you will get drips and buildup. Keep the spray gun in constant motion over the surface of the table. Adjust the knob on the spray gun to vertical spray to spray the table legs and other vertical surfaces. Let the lacquer finish dry for one hour.

Rub the lacquer finish with No. 0000 steel wool to make the surface smooth. Wipe the table down with a tack cloth to remove all dust. Spray a second coat of lacquer using the same method as the first coat. Let the lacquer dry for one hour, rub the finish smooth with the steel wool and wipe the surface with a tack cloth. Continue to apply layer upon layer of lacquer using this technique, building up to four to six layers of lacquer. After spraying the final layer of lacquer, let the table dry for 24 hours before rubbing it with steel wool.