But there are differences between these protective finishes: Acrylic urethane is typically water-based, while traditional polyurethane is oil-based. It makes for an absolute beautiful finish, and is easy to apply, usually done by rubbing it on, or by spraying. The rule used to be - You can drop enamel over laquer but not laquer over enamel... not sure if that still hold true but I agree with rw, I would have sealed it off with epoxy to be safe.. _____ Gary R. 08-17-2009, 03:32 PM ... Don't put polyurethane over lacquer primer, there will be inadequate bond. If you do not, it will cure with a high gloss. It's faster, and is a pro-grade finish in two coats. Polyurethane originally was an oil-based varnish with more plasticity than older varnishes or paints. Lacquer, Varnish, Shellac, Conversion Varnish, and Polyurethane all serve to protect a wood product from water, heat, and other spills. Water-based finish goes by many names that may include the words "lacquer" or "polyurethane," but most use acrylic or acrylic/polyurethane resins in solvent and water. A: Typically we refer to high gloss, smooth decorative top coats as "enamels". But these finishes also have differences, so they are not the same. Reducers are used for urethane-based paints. Home › Forums › Main Forum › Paint and Refinish › Acrylic Enamel vs Acrylic Urethane. He has. This means that multiple layers of polyester or polyurethane aren’t necessary, unlike nitro finishes that require many. My vote is for enamel. Urethane is more expensive, but lasts longer and is more durable than enamel or acrylic paints. Scotty has built, finished and/or counseled me on 14 guitars and 1 Bass. NOTE - If you use a lacquer based topcoat, use a lacquer based primer. If you use an enamal topcoat, use an enamel primer. On a vintage recreation or restoration I want lacquer. When a painter uses the word "enamel" he is usually referring to a high gloss, smooth, decorative alkyd and/or acrylic top coat. Polyurethane is basically liquid plastic, and some people feel like the final look is almost too much like plastic, and they may not use it for ‘fine furniture’ projects. For application it’s best to use a natural bristle brush. I was sort of giving up the idea of making a lot of money. Email. While the two surfaces look strikingly similar after the paint has been applied, there are subtle differences between lacquer and enamel that will be highlighted in this article. Also, lacquer is one of the easiest wood finishes to apply. This is why many people refer to clear enamel as a varnish. An acrylic lacquer base coat has a high HMIS flammability rating of 3 (source). While the two surfaces look strikingly similar after the paint has been applied, there are subtle differences between lacquer and enamel that will be … I personally use polyurethane on almost all my projects. Never shake polyurethane! For more information see my disclosure page. This is why many people refer to clear enamel as a varnish. Lacquer vs. polyurethane: Paint pros & cons to make informed decisions. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Custom Guitars. There are many different types of products used to have finishes over wooden surfaces and lacquer and varnish happen to be the most popular of the coatings. They can also be clear or can come in many different stain colors. A: Typically we refer to high gloss, smooth decorative top coats as "enamels". FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST I keep all my pinterest boards updated with great and helpful content. This finish is absolutely gorgeous and doesn’t take very long to apply. Lacquer paint may need several coats to get the right finish, but once it is complete it looks smooth and seamless on furniture and cabinets in the kitchen. Lacquer and varnish are glossy coatings that are applied over wood and other surfaces, to have a protective covering that also looks aesthetically pleasing. Are you trying to determine what guitar finish best suits you? Scotty is a real expert and always delivers high-quality craftsmanship at a fair price. Email. However, you are unlikely to find much for quality acrylic enamels anymore and I am sure that in the next few years most paint manufacturers will completely stop making acrylic enamel paints. He is at the very pinnacle of the Guitar finishing field. This is a curing finish, which means it undergoes a chemical reaction as it dries. Example of Lacquer paint are Mr.Color and Modo paint. If you apply some paste wax and rub it out enough, you can get a high gloss. Why? I prefer the look of shellac on any kind of fine furniture using a dark wood. It usually boils down to Nitrocellulose (nitro) lacquer vs. Urethane guitar finishes? In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Depending on your latest project, you might be wondering which finish you should use for your exterior wood surfaces. Some brands claim to work well for 3 years after manufacturing, others may only last 6 to 9 months. But these finishes also have differences, so they are not the same. The proof is in the pudding. The differences in the actual solvents are mostly about evaporation speed and polarity. Clear enamel is like lacquer, in that you can apply it on wood or metal. Subscribe here. Understanding the differences between lacquer and … Read more Lacquer vs Enamel Lacquer thinner is more of a mix of other solvents (acetone, MEK, etc) designed to specifically thin lacquer paints. As you can see, there are different finishes for different applications. Lacquer and polyurethane are two of the most common finishes used for wooden furniture. Custom Guitars |Sitemap. It can be thinned down to the point you can wipe it on (see how here), which is actually very beginner-friendly and simple. However, each type of finish has a variety of pros and cons that you should consider to better determine which may be right for your application. There are variations within these 4, but I won’t be diving into that many details, as that’s a very broad topic to try and cover in one article. Polyurethane is harder to apply, as it’s easy to get bubbles and brush strokes. How you store it makes a difference, it should stay in a cool, dry environment, sealed up from the atmosphere to avoid oxygen, as this is what really degrades the integrity of the shellac. This page may have affiliate links. Like other curing finishes, it’s best to sand between coats for proper bonding. While the terms varnish, polyurethane, lacquer and shellac are commonly used to reference a final finish in general, these products are not the same, nor are they recommended to be used interchangeably. Shellac does not hold up well against heat, chemicals, and regular wear. Polyurethane or Lacquer (close 2nd place) Best for Outdoors: Varnish-Spar Urethane-Detailed information on each Topcoat-SHELLAC: Shellac is a natural product. Lacquer and enamel are two common types of finishes that give the final product a shiny look. Both of these attributes means each coat goes on fast and the overall application takes a fraction of the time that film curing finishes take. This is because the longer the finish remains wet, the longer the time frame for dust nibs to settle in. coats. Lacquer, Varnish, Shellac, Conversion Varnish, and Polyurethane all serve to protect a wood product from water, heat, and other spills. Like enamels, lacquer is also durable and can come in different forms: high-gloss, satin, and matte. Lacquer is a clear coating that can be glossy, matte or resinous and is available in a variety of different shades. "And nobody can get the factory formulations anyway." Just go and play a lot of guitars with each type of finish and see what’s feels best to you. 1K Shares. For example, when rubbing the finish on, the final step may call for rubbing the finish out with steel wool. 2) 2 stage paint jobs require sanding, polishing and buffing before applying the clear coat and also after the clear coat is applied. Lacquer is a clear coating that can be glossy, matte or resinous and is available in a variety of … From the species of wood you use, to the type of milling used to create the boards, tons of joinery options, unlimited … Many individuals use these terms interchangeably, but there is actually quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane. Lacquer vs Varnish . For indoor finishes that aren't being used as a commercial bar, and if you can spray it, lacquer wins. Lacquer and varnish are glossy coatings that are applied over wood and other surfaces, to have a protective covering that also looks aesthetically pleasing. Required fields are marked *. Lacquer paint may need several coats to get the right finish, but once it is complete it looks smooth and seamless on furniture and cabinets in the kitchen. For example, several times a year, I’ll see a client who thinks we still paint with lacquer. Is single stage urethane as thick as acrylic enamel? NOTE - If you use a lacquer based topcoat, use a lacquer based primer. RelatedHow To Apply Wipe On PolyHow To Apply Regular PolyurethaneFood Safe Wood Finishes. From the species of wood you use, to the type of milling used to create the boards, tons of joinery options, unlimited ways to personalize your project, variations of design ideas, and more. Need help deciding? There are many different types of products used to have finishes over wooden surfaces and lacquer and varnish happen to be the most … For me its simple. I believe using the satin variation eliminates the plastic look. When it comes to woodworking projects, you have so many options and very few limitations. Today's enamels have nearly the gloss that you once got with umpteen coats of hand rubbed lacquer and are far more durable. Understanding the differences between lacquer vs. polyurethane durability can help you to make a wise choice wh… This means by adding more solvent, the finish becomes almost like new, meaning it’s easy to repair (but overall less durable). You can thin it with mineral spirits to help. Check It Out. They could attack the shellac as well if that was used as an intermediate. On one of the other lists I'm on had a discussion of Enamels vs Clear Coat Base Coat paints. 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