How to Refinish Oriental Bamboo Furniture
- 1). Clean the bamboo furniture with soap and water. Toothbrushes and other soft brushes can make getting build-up out much easier.
- 2). Apply any good liquid stripper, as instructed by the manufacturer, on furniture where you have good access to clean and remove excess stripper. For intricately woven furniture, skip this step. Clean the wicker again after stripping.
- 3). Apply spots of a closely matching stain on chipped areas once the bamboo has dried. If your bamboo isn't stained, you don't need to do this. It is a good idea for you to allow your bamboo to dry for 24 to 48 hours before applying any finish. If you are going to paint your bamboo, spray on a base coat of primer and allow it to dry per the manufacturer's instructions. If you are painting the bamboo but not using lacquer, apply the paint over the dry primer.
- 4). Begin applying the final lacquer. If you are leaving the bamboo natural or have used a paint base, use a clear lacquer. Otherwise, use a tinted lacquer. When applying lacquer, spray the finish on in thin coats. Allow the coats to dry before sanding them down with very fine sandpaper or steel wool then apply another coat. Apply at least four coats. However, more coats will result in a deeper sheen with a harder surface. Some lacquers work very well with 10 to 12 coats. If your furniture has deep marks, more coats may be needed to create a smooth finish over the marks.
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