Choosing a type of Lacquer

[John Samuel]

I have been using NC pre-cat lacquer to finish furniture, and it is generally an OK product. However, most NC lacquers have waxes etc in them to make them scratch resistant. These additives make them either difficult or impossible to sand smooth and polish to a mirror finish. The sandpaper clogs at the speed of light, and the lacquer is too soft to successfully polish.

Also, I usually apply a thin "flash coat" to finish off a job, but sanding the waxy lacquer is a proper pain. The paper clogs very quickly.

I tried acid cure lacquer and that polished well, but it is so brittle that it has cracked along joints where the grain is at right angles on adjoining pieces of timber. (See pic.)

Can anyone help with a recommended product that I can buy in Brisbane? I need something that has a little flexibility so it wont crack along joints but will still sand easily and polish up nicely.

Thanks,

John

[gumred]

Never had a problem with acid cure lacquer

[John Samuel]

Gumred,

That only provides further reason to suspect the substrate. I think the issue is timber movement, but am not sure.