How to Repair Water Damage to a Lacquer Finish

Pour lacquer thinner into an open-mouthed jar. You should be able to fit a 2- or 2 1/2-inch paintbrush inside the jar. Pour more lacquer thinner into the jar if needed.

Place the furniture piece horizontal and flat, with the damaged side facing up. Keep the piece flat to avoid having the lacquer thinner run.

Apply the lacquer thinner with the bristle paintbrush, brushing lightly in the direction of the wood grain. Work slowly with one section of the furniture surface at a time, so the thinner has time to work. Carefully watch the finish, brushing on more coats of solvent until you see the finish soften and flow out.

Move to another section of the furniture when you see the ridges and small cracks start to disappear as the solvent begins working. Let the finish dry.

Repeat brushing on more lacquer thinner only if the surface still has cracks and ridges from damage. If you notice a smooth surface, rub the surface down thoroughly with a dry piece of #0000 steel wool. This steel wool grade gives your furniture surface a shine.

Recoat the furniture piece with lacquer, rubbing the surface thoroughly with a tackcloth, which removes the steel wool residue.

Open windows and doors in the room for ventilation, then spray a light coat of finishing lacquer from an aerosol can onto the furniture surface. Allow the surface to dry completely.

Rub the furniture surface down well with furniture paste wax and #0000 steel wool, then buff the surface firmly with a soft rag.