Repair wood with lacquer by sealing the pores. Wood pores behave like small straws, funneling moisture to the interior of the wood, just as they did when the wood has been a living thing. Over the years, this moisture causes the wood to break down. It becomes individual and soft wood fibers start to flake out, leaving the wood using a rough, pitted surface. The appropriate way to fix deteriorating wood is to sand the surface smooth and seal it from moisture. By utilizing lacquer you reach three goals: fixing, sealing and making it look great.
Sand the surface of the wood with 100-grit sandpaper. Sand it hand softly to eliminate any flaky wood fibers, old finish, splinters or processors. Alternatively, use an oscillating or rotary sanding instrument if they’re acceptable for the job’s shape and size. The wood should have a light, natural colour without any grey. Gray wood indicates ultraviolet damage.
Putty each one the old nail holes, gouges, cracks or splits using a putty knife along with wood putty. If the wood is pitted or gets gouges or dips that are gradual and no deeper than 1/16 inch, then attempt to sand them out. If you can not completely sand them out, putty them. Allow the putty dry for 15 minutes.
Re-sand the wood and the puttied holes 120-grit sandpaper before the wood feels smooth to the touch.
Spray a light coat of lacquer onto the wood. Hold the can of lacquer 8 inches from the surface of the wood in a 30-degree angle. Sweep the can across the wood and then back, overlapping each previous run by 1 inch. Coat the surface of the wood so it is totally moist with lacquer. Allow the lacquer dry for thirty minutes.
Sand the wood using 180-grit sandpaper before the wood has a light white powder over it. Don’t wipe the powder off it aids in curing the last coat.
Spray the following coat of lacquer onto the wood just like the first. Allow the lacquer dry for one hour before handling the wood.