Black lacquer quickly shows dirt and fingerprints, both of which diminish its shiny finish. Yet improper cleaning and polishing irreparably damages the coat. To revive your lacquer furniture’s high-gloss appearance, wash it regularly and employ a liquid wax product as vital. Before using any of these techniques, check the maintenance instructions provided by the producer and test each product or procedure in a small area, like the interior bottom of a chair or table leg.
Damp-dust lacquer furniture to prevent dirt from scratching the surface. Wet a very soft, clean cloth lightly and wring it out thoroughly. Excess water can damage lacquer finishes, so make certain that the fabric is barely moist to the touch. Hold a clean, dry cloth in your opposite hand. Wipe a little section of their furniture with the moist cloth, with the grain of the timber or in long, straight strokes. Immediately wipe this section with the dry cloth. Repeat this procedure until you’ve dusted the entire piece.
Inspect the furniture. When it is otherwise clean, without any visible fingerprints or deposits, move to waxing.
Collect three rags when the furniture is still visibly dirty, dampening among these lightly.
Spray a small number of solvent-based furniture cleaner to a dry rag and then wipe the lacquer gently, starting with a little section. Wipe this away immediately with a damp cloth and then dry the area with a moist cloth. Repeat this procedure, working in manageable sections, until the lacquer is clean.
Apply liquid wax into the furniture, being careful to prevent any upholstery if required, with a very soft brush. Wait about 15 minutes, or the amount of time recommended by the liquid wax manufacturer, and buff the surplus wax away with a lint-free fabric, preferably chamois fabric. Do not use products labeled as “furniture shine,” pretreated furniture wipes or striped cleaners on lacquer furniture. Refrain from cleaning aisle all together and head to the home improvement store to get a quality, lacquer-specific wax.