Lacquer over Liquid Wax -- Russ Fairfield method?

[Ronald Giordano]

I have a lot of respect for the late Russ Fairfield and his experience, but I am confused by his approach of wet sanding with Watco Liquid Finishing Wax and then applying Deft lacquer over it. This approach is explained in Step 2 of his "Deft Finish Applied on the Lathe" write-up in Russ's Corner (http://www.woodcentral.com/russ/finish5.shtml). It also shows up in his first DVD where he says you can apply lacquer over the liquid wax once the solvents have dried. I had always thought that you should never top-coat a wax finish with lacquer. Has anyone successfully wet-sanded with liquid wax and then applied lacquer over it??

 

[bbergst]

I’ve used lacquer over paste wax numerous times. I’ve filled the pores of open grain wood with a mixture of dichromic powders and Johnson paste wax. I do rub off any excess wax. After a couple hours I spray Mohawk rattle can lacquer over the surface. It will feel like it isn’t dry, but the lacquer is. There is a residue from the wax that just rubs away with a paper towel. It appears that the lacquer melts through the wax or binds chemically with it. Someone else made have that answer.

 

[Ronald Giordano]

Thanks, bbergst, for your reply!! I would never have guessed that lacquer over paste wax would work. I will give it a try!