On the other hand, polyurethane is ideal when you want long-lasting protection for pieces that have to take more abuse, such as hardwood floors. Nitrocellulose is a high-VOC which means its use is strictly regulated as it poses a risk to the environment and manufacturing personnel. In short, polyurethane is more durable because it is a tough nut to crack. Nitro finishes are typically seen on older or high-end guitars. Poly finishes are more common because they are cheaper and easier to apply and better for the environment. That is why you should always use a respirator when applying any chemicals. What is the Difference Between Spar urethane and Polyurethane. Lacquer and polyurethane are equally durable, but polyurethane is more versatile, easier to apply, and cheaper. If youre keen on solvent-based coats, add acrylic lacquer thinner to enhance their water resistance. Polyurethane is more durable and less likely to chip or flake than lacquer. Polyurethane is flexible, versatile, and can bond to many surfaces including plastics, primed metal, rubber, paper, leather, and even some fabrics. As with nitro and urethane, Fender continues to use polyester finishes on a number of instruments and instrument families (Classic, Classic Player, Deluxe, Standard series, various artist models). Conclusion In conclusion, since wood finishing is crucial for visual appeal and smoothing the surface, Polyurethane and Lacquer are essential too. Take a step back and assess which option will get the job done better. When finishing cabinets, the product youll need depends on the materials paint quality. Urethane is dried by chemicals and can be ready to buff out in just a few days. Nitro finishes are typically seen on older or high-end guitars. While oil and water-based polyurethane do the same thing, each one has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Upgrading your Budget Guitar vs. Buying a New Guitar. Believe it or not, both lacquer and polyurethane carry high levels of volatile organic compounds or VOCs. It is extremely durable and resistant to damage, however over time it can begin to discolor and become scratched. One of the determining factors when choosing a wood finish is how easy it is to apply. Hi , I am working on a chalk painted coffee table . Related Read: How Many Coats of Polyurethane Do You Need to Apply? However, our experts suggest being careful when using a high volume of this finish as its highly flammable. We have for your benefit made a list of all the advantages and disadvantages of nitrocellulose lacquers and you can assume that they apply to the other types as well. Is Chipboard Safe Enough To Use For A Hamsters Home? That is why choosing the right finish is critical, most especially when it is a project you were paid to execute. They care about how it helps projects personality. Read: What is the Difference Between Spar urethane and Polyurethane. Given that water-based lacquers are not as common, and some argue they shouldnt be referred to as lacquer, it is tempting to give polyurethane the edge. The good thing is both options have less toxic variations like water-based lacquer and polycrylic. Polyester is often used as a base coat sealer for a nitro lacquer top coat. I have seen sites that recommend lacquer spray, polyurethane spray, and modge Podge. These added benefits of acrylic lacquer come with the downside of being more expensive than nitrocellulose lacquer. Lacquer is thinner and will form a glossy finish that is not waterproof. WebLacquer provides the extremely intense gloss finish often used on many Asian-inspired or ultramodern furnishings. Since tabletops are frequently used and exposed, its great that both options offer adequate resistance against heat and moisture. That is before the health-costs of this toxic paint spray saw it quickly replaced by Acrylic Lacquer paint instead. Urethane is far more durable, scratch resistant and easy to work with. Is Nitro Lacquer Stronger Than Polyurethane? You can repeat the process until the desired result, but two coats should suffice. Because of this, we dont recommend them for outdoor furniture pieces. Wonder why it's so smooth? You must consider the most durable option if you apply finishes on high-traffic surfaces like wooden floors. Nitrocellulose lacquers have been around for almost a century; originally used for acoustic instruments, saxophones and even cars. Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitars wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain. Since the latter has a thicker consistency, applying this product with tools like spray cans can be hard. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Is Hemlock a Hardwood? There are cons, Time Limited: Join our woodworking contest on Facebook and Get 3 Free Woodworking Plans Instantly. Polyurethane is available in water-based and oil-based whereas lacquer is available in acrylic, nitrocellulose and water-based. It is also more water-resistant than lacquer too as lacquer can be easily damaged by moisture. Meanwhile, lacquer is only limited to extreme gloss and matte options. Lacquer is made by combining different solvents and resins. This varnish is rather thick and hard to handle. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Because its slow drying, expert woodworkers generally prefer lacquer or water-based polyurethane over oil-based polyurethane. Polyurethane, while liquid, is still plastic. Water-based alternatives are less toxic and faster at drying than oil-based polyurethane. Polyurethane is more like a protective plastic that coats wood surfaces, while lacquer behaves like water as it penetrates the wood. Check out this blindfold challenge on the Andertons YouTube channel to hear some Strats with polyurethane and nitrocellulose finishes being compared. Polyurethane protects the wood by forming a plastic-like coating, while lacquer is a water-based product. On the other hand, water-based poly dries very clear and remains clear. In liquid plastic resin form, it made an extremely fast-drying, tough and durable finish (also used for dance floors and bowling alleys) that formed a much harder and abrasion-resistant layer around a guitar than nitro, while still allowing good wood resonance. Thanks for visiting! Problem 4: Scratch-Resistance. It says youre cool, or that youre hot. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. There's a definite price Hey, welcome Pro Sound HQ. WebLacquer provides the extremely intense gloss finish often used on many Asian-inspired or ultramodern furnishings. Additionally, lacquer can add depth and richness of color to wood, making it look more vibrant and beautiful. Although most players arent too concerned about the type of finish thats been applied to their guitar, for some players and luthiers its actually quite contentious. Privacy Policy. This also means that it is not possible to achieve a true relic effect with a poly finish. Although its a beautiful wood suitable for different. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. Most woodworkers would tell you lacquer is most effective when used as a wood furniture finish. Modge Podge from any craft store will do what youre looking for. There are many subjects that split opinion among guitarists. It dries quickly, leaves no odors and is easy to clean up. It is so bad that it has almost single-handedly caused most woodworkers to switch to water-based polyurethane. Its less brittle than typical acrylic lacquers, so its not surprising that its wear and scratch-resistant. Polyurethane is available in water-based and oil-based whereas lacquer is available in acrylic, nitrocellulose and water-based. So, in this post, we are going to cover exactly what nitrocellulose lacquer is (and whether or not it is worth the risk). The difference in the two are night and day. Both finishes contain toxic The substances themselves and their various application methods and combinations are enormously complex. Fender started using polyester finishes in the 1970s. The fact that it is simpler and faster to apply than nitrocellulose keeps costs down, while of course, offering a shinier look and greater durability. Lacquer is water-resistant, durable, and provides decent protection from scratches. And it definitely bears remembering that these finishes are applied to products fashioned from once-living organic plant matter; namely, wood. Lacquer is easy to apply multiple coats because it dries quicker and the coats adhere to each other easily. Youll be well on your way to finding the right guitar for you. However, both nitro and poly finishes are in fact plastic. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewoodworkplace_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',166,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewoodworkplace_com-narrow-sky-1-0');But, polyurethane lasts longer, and it does a much better job at protecting your instrument. Apart from the above, small cracks can appear in a nitro finish after several years too. (How about painting over a lacquer finish? Water-based lacquer is another step in the evolution process. Problem 4: Scratch-Resistance. In fact, its enhanced durability allows it to last five years longer than nitrocellulose lacquers. Lacquer has a thinner consistency, so adding multiple coats wont take as long as applying polyurethane. I now own an acoustic guitar and several electric guitars including my personal favourite, a PRS SE Custom 24. Nitro finishes are much thinner and less restrictive than polyurethane coats. Aside from this, poly finishes are less likely to get scratched and chipped. If youre not satisfied, you can, The good news is it can withstand heat exposure, so using oil-based, It dries quicker (except for oil-based polyurethane), It would be best to sand the surface between poly coats with 320-grit sandpaper to enhance surface adhesions. When applied to paper, would polyurethane and lacquer sprays give that plasticky feel to paper? If you want to take part in the challenge, then start the video at 1:23. Fender PlayThe #1 guitar learning platformTRY FOR FREE. This occurs when a guitar is regularly exposed to differing temperatures, as changes in climate causes wood to expand and contract. Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways. On the other hand, polyurethanes durability works best for surfaces with frequent usage and traffic, like wood floors. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thewoodworkplace_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',152,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewoodworkplace_com-leader-2-0');By dabbing it with Acetone. Whats the Difference Between Polyurethane, Varnish, Shellac and Lacquer? This combination can form a more durable and longer lifespan than other oil-based finishes. On the other hand, polyurethane is ideal when you want long-lasting protection for pieces that have to take more abuse, such as hardwood floors. Both historically and today, a lot of science is involved in finish coatings for musical instruments. However, if you are looking for a relic finish, then youll want a nitrocellulose lacquer as the aged look is impossible to pull off to the same effect with a poly finish. Poly finishes are slightly glossier than nitro finishes and will retain this glossiness for longer compared nitro finishes which are more prone to fading. Due to its thickness, it also requires fewer coats to achieve full coverage. And while the latter penetrates through the wood to make it long-lasting, it can develop discoloration and visible scratches over time. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. However, you can opt for a thin coat of polyurethane for added durability if the cabinet has low-quality paintwork. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Poly finishes are more common because they are cheaper and easier to apply and better for the environment. 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