Soft Look on Lacquer

[Jim Tobias]

I need some advice/help. I have always used oil finished (hand applied/rubbed) and have recently begun experimenting with spraying lacquer. For now, I am buying cans but plan to eventually buy a spray gun. I am experimenting with regular lacquer but would probably eventually use water borne products (due to smell, flammability, etc. of regilar lacquer)
My question is: How and what do you use to get the brushed, soft look that I see on many items with a lacquer finish. How many coats and what do you use to soften the look? Please give me as much technique as possible as I have been trying steel wool, white 3M pads, etc. without success.

Thanks,
Jim

[Cecil Arnold]

Jim, I was going to say steel wool, 3M pads, etc, but since you've tried that without success I'm not sure what to say except that after you've scuffed the surface with the above you might try some wax buffed out over the finish.

[Steve Clardy]

Are you currently using gloss or satin sheen?

[Steve Schoene]

I like fine pumice for a satin look. Its applied using a felt pad, lubricated with a lignt mineral oil--parafin oil is good, and often sold as odorless lamp oil.

Rubbing compounds also work well.

Waterborne "lacquer" is not very similar to solvent lacquer. The technology is totally different.

[Jim Tobias]

I have been using gloss. I seem to end up with a "scratched look" rather than a soft sheen. I have used 0000steel wool or white 3M pads. Maybe I am rubbing it too hard or does it have to cure for a long time before buffing?

Jim