Blotchy Lacquer

[buzztiger]

Hi! I just finished building a cabinet for a subwoofer. I have problems in finishing the cabinet. I have a bubinga veneer on the cabinet. I applied lacquer to it and I have lots of blotchy patches. The picture below show the kind of blotches I have.





The dull spots are the parts where the lacquer will not stick to. I don't know if this a fish eye problem. The place where i live does not sell fish eye eliminator. Is there any other way to solve this problem ? Should i try a coat of shellac on top of this damaged lacquer coat ?

Maybe what i have done so far may help in identifying my problem.I shall list what i have done.

1. I sanded the raw bubinga veneer with 240 grit sandpaper.
2. I put a coat of wood stain diluted with thinner.
3. Then i put a few coat of lacquer. ( This coat did not have much blotchy problem).
4. Then i sanded the fully dried lacquer coat ( abt 1 week of curing) with 360grit sandpaper. Then 600 grit.
5. After sanding i applied another coat of lacquer. This is when the blotchy spots appear. Spots where the lacquer will not stick to.


I am in desperate need of help. Any help appreciated. Thank you.

[joez]

Doesnt look like fish eye to me, how was the veneer glued to substrate?

I've seen something similar when the glue has leached through the veneer during vacuum pressing.

If it were me i'd:

Sand back the finish.
Wip down all surfaces with prepsol
apply a coat of shellac
apply lacquer.

If your feeling game you could try it without the shellac.

joez

[buzztiger]

Thx for the reply. I have used contact glue to stick the paperbacked veneer on the MDF cabinet. Even water will not pool over those patches.