11 Products
Per the maker technical data sheets (TDS): Watco Lacquer Clear Wood Finish (Rust-Oleum TDS WAT-01, rev. 09/12/22) fills the pores of most woods, so you don't need a separate wood filler. Apply at least 3 coats, allow 24 hours before light use and 7 days before normal use, and sand lightly with 220 grit if a coat has dried more than 6 hours. Minwax Clear Lacquer Aerosol acts as its own sealer, recoats in 2 hours with no sanding between coats, and takes 3 to 4 coats. ProLuxe Interior Lacquer Sanding Sealer goes on first, sands in about 1 hour, and should be topcoated with two or more coats of lacquer.
| Product | Formats | Coverage | Dry and recoat | Notes (maker TDS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watco Lacquer Clear Wood Finish, spray | Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Satin, 11.25 oz | About 40 sq ft per can | Touch 30 min; recoat 2 hr | Spray light coats 8 to 12 in from the surface; 3+ coats; light use 24 hr, normal use 7 days |
| Watco Lacquer Clear Wood Finish, brush-on | Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Satin quarts | 190 to 290 sq ft per gallon | Touch 1 hr; recoat when the coat is clear and hard | Stir, don't shake; use a good bristle brush, not a roller; apply at 55 to 90 °F; not for floors or exterior |
| Minwax Clear Lacquer Aerosol | Gloss, Semi-Gloss and Satin, 12 oz | Not stated (0.75 to 1.0 mil dry film per coat) | Touch 30 min; recoat 2 hr; 24 hr after the last coat | Hold 12 in from the surface; 3 to 4 coats; works over Minwax Wood Finish, Gel Stain and water-based stains; not over polyurethane; not for floors |
| ProLuxe Interior Lacquer Sanding Sealer | Quart (brush or spray) | Up to 500 sq ft per gallon | Touch 30 min; sand 1 hr; recoat 2 hr | Do not thin; sand with 220 grit along the grain; topcoat with lacquer only; interior wood only, not floors |
| ProLuxe Interior Lacquer Sanding Sealer Spray | 12 oz aerosol | About 60 sq ft per can | Recoat 15 min; sand once dry, about 1 hr | Spray 6 to 10 in from the surface in several thin coats; clean up with acetone |
Shop related: Watco, Minwax, ProLuxe, spray polyurethane and clear spray finishes, protective finishes and topcoats, and the furniture refinishing cart.
Usually not. Minwax says its Clear Lacquer Aerosol recoats in 2 hours with no sanding between coats. Watco says to recoat once the film is clear and hard, and to sand lightly with 220 grit only if a coat has dried more than 6 hours.
Watco recommends at least 3 coats. Minwax calls for 3 coats, with a fourth if you want more build. Thin coats work better than heavy ones and help avoid runs and sags.
No. Minwax says not to apply its Clear Lacquer Aerosol over a surface finished with polyurethane; remove the polyurethane first. ProLuxe also says not to apply varnishes or water-based finishes over lacquer.
Not always. Minwax Clear Lacquer Aerosol acts as its own sealer. A lacquer sanding sealer such as ProLuxe gives a smoother base that sands easily in about an hour; follow it with two or more coats of lacquer.
No. Watco, Minwax and ProLuxe all say their lacquers are for interior wood and not for floors. For floors, use a floor-rated finish.
It can. Minwax notes slight ambering is possible over light-colored stains or wood, so test on a hidden spot first.
Watco says 24 hours before light use and 7 days before normal use. Minwax says to allow at least 24 hours after the final coat before normal use.
Use this collection to choose the core product, then add the prep, applicators, cleanup, and finish supplies from Weekend Project Carts. For a common starting point, open the Paint Cabinets Project Cart, or read the Project Guides.