Reply by Grandpa

As stated above lacquer is very forgiving. It is easily repaired but it is not as durable. Poly is tough. Probably the toughest finish we have available today. It has all kinds of suggestions on the can but I have thinned it about 25% with paint thinner and sprayed it. I have applied a second coat in 20 or 3 hours. This might vary with the climate. I don’t mind working with it. Lacquer doesn’t run badly and is easy to apply. it isn’t as durable but on the other hand, I have a cedar chest with lacquer on it. It has not been handled roughly but the finish is still in great shape and it was applied in 1964. Of course if you are rough enough on cedar to mess up the lacquer finish you have probably messed up the soft cedar under it. I went to a seminat once. they were dealing with antiques. The man talked about all the finishes and finally said if I were going to use this table everyday, I would apply poly because it offers the very best in protection. If you want an antique then strip the poly and put the original finish back on it but dont use it every day.