Laquering - Antique Furniture Restoration from Hinton Restorations, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Lacquering - Antique Furniture Restoration

What is lacquering?

Lacquer is a varnish. It is used to enhance and protect the surface of the object being treated. It has been used for centuries in Japan, and China, but actually derives from a an old Portuguese word “lac”, a type of fluid drawn from insects. It is mainly black but can come in green, blue or white. These days lac-based varnishes are called shellac. The word lacquer actually means acrylic or nitrocellulose compounds which have been thinned out, although I only use more traditional methods.

Lacquering is time consuming and can be demanding. Often a great deal of time is needed to prepare the surface properly. If a mistake is made, or preparation is hurried, the surface will not look correct.

How I use lacquering

• I prepare the surface carefully, using a variety of tools and methods
• I try to retain as much original lacquer as possible
• I repair lacquer and gold leafed areas as necessary

The quality of the finish depends upon each stage of the work being carefully done, however lacquering need not be an expensive job, it all depends on the level of damage, and the size of the area to be lacquered.

Black laquer corner cuboard before & after;


Grandfather clock base black laquer & gilding before & after;

Grandfather clock top black laquer & gilding before & after;

Grandfather clock body black laquer & gilding before & after;

Laquered table before & after;

General laquering examples;