One. Was antique furniture painted in the past?
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, some furniture was also lacquered. However, the ancient lacquering techniques and modern techniques are completely different. In ancient times, artisans used raw lacquer as the primary raw material, which was a natural liquid coating obtained from lacquer trees. Using traditional techniques, this process is known as "lapping." In ancient Southern traditional furniture, lapping was a standard practice, and wax was not typically used. Therefore, during the Ming and Qing dynasties, in addition to requiring skilled carpenters, lacquer artisans also needed to be highly skilled.
II. What type of paint is suitable for classical furniture?
1、Nitro lacquer
Nitro lacquer is a transparent coating made from nitrocellulose, acrylic resin, thickening agents, and solvents. It belongs to the category of volatile paints and features fast drying and a mild gloss. Nitro lacquer is available in three finishes: glossy, semi-gloss, and matte, depending on the required application. However, nitro lacquer also has some drawbacks, including susceptibility to discoloration at high or low temperatures, low fullness, and low strength.
2、Manual Brushing of Coatings
A suitable, volatile coating formulated for hand brushing, primarily composed of nitrocellulose, along with various synthetic resins, pigments, additives, and fillers. This coating exhibits excellent leveling, fast drying, high hardness, good gloss, and excellent adhesion. It produces vibrant, durable finishes and is suitable for high-end furniture, pianos, and decorative items.
3、Polyester Paint
This is a thick, high-quality coating made with polyester resin as the key defoamer. Polyester coatings have a rich, thick, and hard surface. Similar to polyester paints, there is also a type of polyester coating called polyester enamel.
III. Painting Process for Classical Furniture
1. Perform surface treatment: Remove oil stains, strong adhesives, resins, dust, and wood shavings caused by the wood itself or during production.
2、Repair Putty: Mix and apply insect-repellent putty powder according to the specified color or chosen color, for patching nail holes, insect damage, gaps, cracks, and discoloration.
3、Sanding: Use sandpaper to smooth the putty and remove any loose particles.
4、Apply water-based putty powder: Remove excess water-based putty powder. Apply wood stain with insect-repellent varnish, and observe the actual color effect after drying. The color should be slightly lighter than the sample, as the varnish will darken further. Additionally, the lighter color can be adjusted with wine-based dyes. If the color becomes too dark, it will be difficult to match it to a lighter shade.
5、Apply a coat of woodworm-resistant varnish: After applying the water-based putty powder, apply a coat of woodworm-resistant varnish. This serves two purposes: firstly, it helps to fix the base color; and secondly, it allows the wood fibers to stand upright after painting, making it easier to remove any loose particles.
6、Sanding: Remove wood fibers and paint splatters, paying particular attention to removing the existing paint color. The edges should not be exposed. Remove sanding dust.
7、Insect-repellent Putty: After applying, you will clearly see the unevenness and imperfections of the coating. Apply a layer of insect-repellent putty in the same color as the base color to fill in the gaps. Then, use a sanding tool to smooth the insect-repellent putty.
8. Apply the final coat: When applying the finishing coat of insect-repellent paint, you will notice color variations between the finished product and the original sample. Dissolve the necessary materials in the insect-repellent paint to achieve the desired wine color.
9、Color Variation: Observe the overall appearance of the product components, paying close attention to any color variations between the timber and panel connections. Subsequently, add the desired color to the wood glue paint and apply it to the components requiring color variation.
10、Topcoat: When applying a topcoat to the tabletop, it is generally recommended to avoid using wood primer and primer. Wood primer is sensitive to hot water. When applying paint, pay attention to the drying time of the surface, especially when painting original furniture or light-colored finishes. It is recommended to use a diluted nitrocellulose topcoat instead of wood primer as a primer.