All the local antique malls are pushing lacquer over shellac these days

I keep seeing pieces finished with thick lacquer coats that hide the grain. It feels like a shift away from showing off the wood's natural look.

4 comments

4 Comments

thomasgonzalez1mo ago

Honestly, I see where @adamyoung is coming from! That thick lacquer might not show the grain as much, but it really protects the wood from daily wear and tear. For a lot of people, having a durable piece that looks clean and new is worth it.

rileyprice18d ago

But what if the scratches are part of the story, @adamyoung? Isn't that better than a plastic shell?

laura4861mo ago

What are they even thinking with that plastic finish? Just saw a 1920s side table coated so thick it looked like it was dipped in epoxy. Totally kills the chatoyance in the walnut. Turns a piece with history into something that feels cheap and new. It honestly feels like they're scared to let the wood just be wood.

adamyoung1mo ago

Totally kills the chatoyance" is a bit dramatic, no? Like, sure, the wood looks different, but it's still a 1920s table. Some folks might want that thick coat to keep it from getting scratched up. I've seen worse, like when people paint over antique wood entirely. At least the walnut is still there under the epoxy. Maybe the owner just likes how it looks shiny and new.