Can You Stain over Lacquer

Lacquer can be used over lacquer-base, non-grain-raising (NGR) and water-base stains and over lacquer-base fillers. It cannot be used over other finishes or over oil-base stains or many fillers; the solvents in lacquer will dissolve other finishes and incompatible stains and fillers.

Does stain stick to lacquer?

Just like most protective topcoats, such as polyurethane or varnish, a topcoat of lacquer will prevent stain from absorbing into a wood surface. If you try to apply stain to a lacquered surface, the stain will simply bead up and drip off.

What finish can be applied over lacquer?

Polyurethane can react with the lacquer and produce an ugly finish. If you want to apply polyurethane on your project without damaging the existing surface, sand off all of the existing paint or varnish before applying.