Polyurethane (PUR and PU) is a polymer composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. It benefits from being new technology designed, at least in part, for sealing as opposed to lacquer (or shellac, for that matter) which is what people used before there were labs to create perfectly tailored products. Lacquer and polyurethane are two of the most common finishes used for wooden furniture. Polyacrylic has a relatively short surface drying time, but requires a minimum four hour wait, making both polycrylic and polyurethane a hard sell in a busy household. Looking to get a high gloss finish. What Is Polyurethane Varnish?. Redoing my heresys, lacquer or polyurethane? Also, polyurethane is the best choice when working on wood floors. Polyurethane. I heard poly turns yellow over time? What kind of finish is Polyester? Polyurethane will not bond or grip well with the lacquer and will peel off over time with general use. Lacquer is a highly flammable finish when wet. But each one has a specific purpose. Let’s take a look at these factors. Lacquer vs. Polyurethane . Lacquer Vs Polyurethane: which should you use. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Updated Jan 03, ... Polyurethane finish is a brushable liquid that takes a … Polyurethane is a water- or oil-based plastic resin used for coating wood or as a wood finish. So i have the clear satin lacquer spray, the clear gloss polycrylic, and also fast-drying clear satin polyurethane spray. Read More: Polycrylic vs. Polyurethane: Which Is Better For You? For us, that’s an easy choice to make. Once dry, many people would have difficulty determining whether the craftsman used a varnish or lacquer to seal the wood. Polyurethane vs. Varnish vs. Shellac: Did You Pick the Right Finish? Polyurethane vs Varnish comparison. Before you can decide whether water based polyurethane or oil based polyurethane is best for your project, you need to define what you want the end result to look like and how you want it to perform. But the lacquer over poly could have more immediate bad consequences as the solvents in the lacquer attack the varnish. Prefer to stick with water based if possible but i really want what will look best. Manufacturers make polyurethane from synthetic resins that are resistant to water and most solvents. You might be scratching your head here, trying to figure out whether polyurethane is the right choice for your tabletop finish, especially with options like varnish and shellac available, as well – but rest assured you've made the right call: Enamel traditionally refers to oil-based paint which dries very hard and will not rewet. Thanks to its tight molecular structure, polyester has a solid content of +/- 96% which gives the product superior mechanical and chemical resistance, and limits the VOC content dispersed into the environment. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. They dry much faster and tend to show far fewer brush strokes. Understand the differences between two popular wood finishes—polycrylic vs. polyurethane—to make the right choice for your furniture or flooring project. I feel like I should sand the lacquer down and give the polycrylic another shot. Let’s start with why you would use polyurethane in the first place vs. other types of wood finishes such as shellac, lacquer, varnish, etc. Polyurethane/acrylic lacquer is one of the toughest lacquers available. Varnish vs. Lacquer. Overall, lacquer seems to have an edge over polyurethane due to the ease of application and shorter drying time. By eliminating oil, and using acrylic and other clear resins, water-based finishes don't yellow as they age. coats. Whether you're getting ready to refinish your deck, your kitchen cabinets or your wood floors, it is crucial to use the correct finish for the job. The modern lacquer of choice, polyurethane is an organic compound that is essentially a combination of large carbon based monomers. 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. Lacquer vs. polyurethane; If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. Making the right choice will decide the project leads to completion successfully. It dries to a clear, almost indestructible plastic-like finish. Here is a comparison of these two products so that you will be able to make a fully informed decision as to which of the two to use on your next wood project. For indoor finishes that aren't being used as a commercial bar, and if you can spray it, lacquer wins. Second, polyurethane is not the best choice for painting over lacquer finishes. While lacquer finishes aren't quite as durable as polyurethanes, they are much easier to repair if any damage occurs. Pre-Catalyzed Lacquers vs. Polyurethane coatings for furniture Pre-catalyzed lacquers have been a great invention, they look great and are harder and tougher than regular lacquers, but they have some draw backs and aren’t always the solution to your finishing needs. Polyurethane. When it comes to woodworking projects, you have so many options and very few limitations. Epoxy Vs Lacquer: What’s better for wood? Epoxy vs Polyurethane: Epoxy or epoxy resin is a class of polymer material that consists of epoxy functional groups. Lacquer is considered the best finish to use for wood because it’s durable and dries quickly. Lacquer is the clear winner here, with water-based lacquers drying lightning fast compared to the competition. It's faster, and is a pro-grade finish in two coats. Lacquer finishes are easier to apply than polyurethanes, as they can be a little bit more forgiving, particularly when brushing the lacquer. Instead, use an alkyd varnish. However, there are distinct advantages to using each. Polyurethane or Lacquer (close 2nd place) Best for Outdoors: Varnish-Spar Urethane-Detailed information on each Topcoat-SHELLAC: Shellac is a natural product. Share. Email. Although they are both effective finishes, it is important to know the difference between lacquer vs. polyurethane. Lacquer vs. polyurethane: Paint pros & cons to make informed decisions. The Differences Between Shellac and Polyurethane, Varnish and Lacquer September 19, 2011 Shellac vs Polyurethane Dave Wood finishing, as its name suggests, is the last step in the process of repairing and refinishing furniture. As polyester and polyurethane is based on synthetic resin, no solvents remain after their application to a surface; hardening completely. Wood stains, a lso known as wood dyes are designed to change the colour of wood while leaving the grain still visible. Polyester is a three-component paint that utilizes the resin + catalyst + accelerant. Polyurethane knows many applications, amongst others strong adhesives, synthetic fibers (Spandex) and varnish. They are both relatively easy to apply and clean up. Monomers: The monomers for epoxy resins are phenols and epichlorohydrin, but the monomers may vary depending on the type of epoxy resin. It is extremely hard to sand off by hand or with power sanders. For outdoor-grade furniture, or if you don't have a spray booth, polyurethane thinned to a wiping varnish, put on in several (3-5?) Polyurethane and lacquer are two of the most popular finishes for wood. Varnish and lacquer are two very similar substances, and it is common to confuse the two. It is used on guitar bodies and other musical instruments among other items. 1K Shares. Once they are dried, collected, and processed, you can dissolve them in a solvent such as alcohol. 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. Polyurethane originally was an oil-based varnish with more plasticity than older varnishes or paints. Polyurethane is a highly durable finishing material that comes in high-gloss, gloss or matte finishes. I'm not sure if the satin finish simply looks more matte than I expected, humidity played a factor or it just didn't work with the polycrylic. 7 Best Wood Fillers Wood Finishes 101 – Polyurethane vs Varnish vs Lacquer vs Shellac. Both finishes share similarities and differences that make them ideal for specific jobs. Share. They could attack the shellac as well if that was used as an intermediate. Pin 1K. While most polyurethanes are thermosetting polymers that do not melt when heated, thermoplastic polyurethanes are also available.. Polyurethane polymers are traditionally and most commonly formed by reacting a di- or triisocyanate with a polyol. Poly guitar finishes are therefore much easier to use and quicker to apply. Lacquer vs Varnish. They both serve the purpose of coating wood to enhance its looks and protect it. Alkyd varnishes are a polyester resin that will adhere better and repair more easily. This means that multiple layers of polyester or polyurethane aren’t necessary, unlike nitro finishes that require many. Pre-Catalyzed Lacquers vs. Polyurethane coating for furniture. Lacquer, Varnish, Shellac, Conversion Varnish, and Polyurethane all serve to protect a wood product from water, heat, and other spills. Polyurethane is a polymer material that has urethane linkages. By applying a topcoat you can have a finished wood project that lasts for a long time to come. Unlike nitrocellulose, polyurethane won’t shave off with wear and heavy use. Lacquer. Polyurethane is like a liquid plastic, often either a pure synthetic plastic or a blend with resin. Catalyzed lacquer vs. polyurethane… CJH | Posted in Finishing on May 9, 2005 08:41am My wife collects orchids and we are getting ready to build some more birch cabinets to display them. Similarities . It is made from the dried secretions of the female Lac beetle. There are many wood finishes available in the market but these lacquer and polyurethane are the most popular wood finishes and these are mostly used by the armature and seasoned woodworkers so much. (Lacquer thinner often has ethanol as a dilutant.) Epoxy is simply better for sealing wood.