Understanding the differences between lacquer vs. polyurethane durability can help you to make a wise choice when it comes to finishing your latest project. If you are going to be coating exterior wood surfaces that won’t be exposed to extreme heat fluctuations, then polyurethane might be the better option. Unlike acrylic lacquer, nitrocellulose does enhance the color of your wood, allowing it to be used on both light and dark pieces. Initially, this might make it a bit more difficult to apply for someone who has little practice, but it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it. There are three different types of lacquer that you might want to consider. One of the reasons that some people hesitate to use lacquer is because it must be applied via a sprayer. For a perfect finish use sandpaper between polyurethane coats. The thickness of the polyurethane also means that it takes fewer coats to get adequate coverage and to protect the wood beneath. ... Watco All In One Lacquer + Colour Light Tint Base, 947 Ml (1) $32. Roughing it up this way will allow the varnish to hold better. It isn't as simple as just wiping on the Minwax product over the existing varnish. Lacquer over wipe on polyurethane. However, you must be careful to apply this in a well-ventilated area. This means that you might be facing frequent maintenance, but it should be relatively easy to touch up. What type of finish should you look at using on items like your flooring, tabletops, banisters, or cabinets? Even if it has varnish on it, its so old, hard and dry you can get away with putting lacquer over it as long as you don't flood a wet coat on it. There is a clear winner between lacquer and polyurethane for these indoor projects. Dip your rag into the finish, squeeze out the excess and wipe on. This could include using coasters for drinks or hot pads underneath dishes that came straight out of the oven. Specializing in building and renovating homes, Thomas Luttrell has worked in homebuilding since 2002. It is highly susceptible to peeling and cracking when left in the great outdoors with fluctuating temperatures and exposure to the elements. This would be ideal if you were going to use your outdoor furniture in a sunroom that was climate-controlled. Keep in mind that you will also need a well-ventilated workspace if you plan to use lacquer. Close. Avoid using lacquer retarder, even if this means waiting for drier or cooler weather. However, this is just an approximation. Now this many coats of satin finish can make the finish look very mirky. You might get away with a couple of coats of a nitrocelulose, anything more than 1 is risky with a CV. Appropriate for mill work, furniture, cabinets, garage doors, windows, decks, and more. Unlike polyurethane, where you must sand the surface in order to apply a new coat, lacquer is generally thin enough that a new coat can be sprayed over the surface without the need for this. But with the exception of Minwax’s Wipe-On Poly, the labels aren’t helpful. It dries quickly so that you can apply many coats if necessary. They take a quick trip to the home improvement store and leave wondering whether they should use lacquer vs. polyurethane. You can choose from polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or even varnish. Whether it'll work well in this specific case nobody can say, you'll have to try it and see. Age: 58 Posts: 527. Because many of the high wear areas are located inside your home, you may want to consider the more durable polyurethane finish. This will help it to show fewer fingerprints than the glossy surfaces of lacquer-finished projects. You need to put a barrier coat in between the two. Shellac is thinned with alcohol, which rarely causes blistering or wrinkling. A single layer of wipe on poly is very thin, compared to poly you brush on. Of course you need to test in a inconspicuous place to be sure. The Angry Possum Tele-Holic. It isn't as simple as just wiping on the Minwax product over the existing varnish. The lacquer will not bubble the poly. So it’s best to use clear gloss until the last couple of layers, then switch to satin … ... shellac has a warm, orange cast that gives a rich, antique look to woodwork. Inspect the towel once finished. But following the basic prep guidelines it'll usually work fine. The list will help. Watco wipe-on poly is most like the Minwax oil-based product. Watco Wipe-On Poly Finish For Interior Wood Surfaces In Gloss Clear, 473 Ml (1) $23. Lacquer dissolves it's undercoat to bind the old and new. However, you may find that water-based polyurethane is the more durable option between the two products. Archived. It won't look pretty while you're doing this but repeat until the pores are filled and then block sand to clean it up and level it flat (now it looks good again), and then topcoat away. When it comes to your next project, you should be well educated on what type of finish is best suited to your overall goals. It requires more time to dry and cure, so make sure to read the manufacturer’s directions carefully. Unfortunately, lacquer is also known to peel and discolor over time. Many individuals use these terms interchangeably, but there is actually quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane. It can be applied using a bristle brush, foam roller, or a rag. Choose the same gloss level and type of polyurethane for wood staircases and wood banisters or spindles as well. Im willing to just do a colortone clear gloss spray lacger finish but i already have the wipe on. The other general class of oils are Non Drying Oils. Because lacquer is typically applied in thin coats, you can often touch up the finish without having to sand and reapply an entirely new coat. Since you’re leaving only a light coat on the surface, the varnish … I'm simply trying to learn if polyurethane can be lacquered over with no adhesion problems. If this describes your home, you may not need polyurethane or lacquer on your cabinets. It depends on what type of paint you applied. Polyurethane. It is a thinner finish, but that does not affect its durability. Wipe on a thin coat of poly or wiping varnish and sand over it with 400-600 grit to knock off some of what is built up and help fill the pores with finish, and let it cure. You might consider a vinyl sealer to act as a "barrier coat" before the lacquer. It comes in both oil-based options and water-based options so you can decide what will work best for you. if its poly - I'll brush first 2 coats (foam brush - I don't get bubbles), which build up more than a wipe-on version, sand 400 grit in between to knock off any high spots. If you used a lower quality paint, then a quick coat of polyurethane can help you to finish it completely and protect them from future wear and tear. The key to success is to make sure the oil has fully dried first. Paints with a high sheen do not need to have polyurethane applied to them. It is not brittle and is more flexible, making it resistant to both wear and scratches. Most often, oil-based polyurethane adds a golden color to the finished product. Use a 400-grit sandpaper to rough up the surface of the lacquer. When applying lacquer, you must use a sprayer. Thanks Sep 6, 2018 #2. This should make sense, because once dried, the oil has cured to a hard solid film surface, and stuff will now stick to it. Short answer: yes, you can apply wipe-on over previous varnish. If you are ready to tackle that brand new project and just need a great starting point, here is a crash course on everything you need to know. I heard poly turns yellow over … Wipe-on Polyurethane. Wipe-on polyurethane is simply standard polyurethane that has been thinned with mineral spirits. Wipe on a thin coat of poly or wiping varnish and sand over it with 400-600 grit to knock off some of what is built up and help fill the pores with finish, and let it cure. If you are going to be coating exterior wood surfaces that won’t be exposed to extreme heat fluctuations, then polyurethane … The finish itself is typically highly glossy, whereas polyurethanes can come in a variety of gloss levels. I would grab a rag & some lacquer thinner, wipe it all off & start over… What is the difference between these two major types of finish? Lacquer generally lasts a long time. Redoing my heresys, lacquer or polyurethane? If so, sand the surface lightly with 600-grit paper and apply a thinned (three parts finish, on… Unless you plan to do quite a few projects with this type of finish, it is likely too costly to consider applying lacquer instead of polyurethane. Let it cure. Poly over lacquer is ok, lacquer over poly won’t work because the thinners are to hot and they will melt the poly. It will be an adhesion problem. You only have to add a single coat of lacquer to a damaged lacquer surface. Make sure that you clearly understand the distinctions between these two major types of finish before you dive into your latest project. Water-based lacquers offer extra durability compared to oil-based finishes. Sand the small bubbles and drip marks with fine grit sandpaper. Use another clean, damp cloth to wipe down a section of the project after rubbing with the pumice mixture to check your progress. Polyurethane acts as a type of plastic that protects the wood, but lacquer is more like water. 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