What is waterborne lacquer
Nathan Sanders
Published Mar 02, 2026
Lacquer. Zenith™ Waterborne Lacquer is a third-generation waterborne coating designed for finishing fine woodwork. It has exceptional film clarity that retains the natural warmth and character desired by professional wood finishers.
How do you use waterborne lacquer?
Apply all coats of water-based lacquer with the air sprayer adjusted to a pressure of 50 psi. Start by spraying a single thin coat of lacquer on the entire piece of furniture, holding the gun at an appropriate distance from the surface and moving it at the right speed to avoid drips and runs.
Is lacquer water or oil based?
Lacquers are resin-based solutions emulsified (made into liquid) by solvents (oils) which dry into a hard transparent film when exposed to air. … Lacquers do not require any additional molecules to become hard; once the solvent evaporates the resins solidify.
How long does water based lacquer last?
21 days for water-based products. 30 days for oil-based products. You can use a piece lightly after about 7 days but be cautious – the finish will still be curing for another 2 or 3 weeks.What is the purpose of a lacquer?
A lacquers is used to generate an extremely shiny and glossy finish to a wood surface that is otherwise difficult to obtain via the use of varnishes, shellac or other finishing substances. It is highly durable yet may scratch over time due to excessive contact.
Can you thin waterborne lacquer?
You can thin water-based finishes with water to improve atomization, but the thinning is different than with lacquer. Very little water makes a much bigger difference than lacquer thinner in lacquer. So try 5 percent or so at first and see how this works.
Can you paint over lacquer with water based paint?
Yes, it is possible to spray lacquer over water-based acrylic paint, but it is not recommended. While lacquer and the paint layers will bond well, the layer of lacquer will likely crack with fluctuations in humidity and temperature.
Can you spray water based lacquer?
General Finishes water-based products can be sprayed through compressed air, HVLP, airless or C.A.S. units. SURFACE PREPARATION: All surfaces should be clean and free from dirt and oil and sanded.Is water based lacquer durable?
Water-based lacquer – this lacquer finish is less toxic, odorless and more durable than other oil-based finishes. Comparing it with nitrocellulose, it can last for an extra period of 5 years. It also dries faster and costs lesser.
Can you roll on water based polyurethane?Yes, you can apply more polyurethane with a foam roller, microfiber and mohair. The foam works well with oil based poly. However, don’t use a foam roller when applying water based polyurethane.
Article first time published onWhat is water based Lacquer made of?
Lacquer can be described as a transparent paint. Ingredients of water based laquer are alkyd, acrylic and/or vinyl acrylic polymers. These microscopic plastic particles are dissolved in water.
What are the different types of Lacquer?
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer. …
- Acrylic Lacquer. …
- Catalyzed Lacquer. …
- Waterborne Lacquer. …
- Urushiol Based Lacquer.
What's the difference between lacquer and varnish?
Unlike varnish, lacquer is a type of solvent based product. … Finally while varnishes give doors a semi-gloss or satin sheen finish, lacquers give you access to quite a wide range of different shades and sheen levels, so you’ve got more freedom of choice in terms of the colour of your internal door.
What is acrylic lacquer used for?
Acrylic lacquer is often used as a protective topcoat over colored pigment lacquers to make them wear better and to enhance their resistance to scratches.
What is Italian lacquer?
Italian lacquer is a multiple step process of layers upon layers of Polyurethane finish which is polished between coats to make a rich deep high gloss. … The incomparable European high gloss look of Italian lacquer is the perfect complement for your designs.
Can I paint over lacquer without sanding?
Can you paint over varnished wood without sanding? Yes. You certainly can. But you do need to prep it properly first.
What kind of paint do you use under lacquer?
Oil or Latex Paint? It is first critical to point out that lacquer cannot be placed over oil-based paints; it will not adhere properly. Only latex-based paints are suitable for such a project.
Can you use water-based paint on furniture?
Latex and acrylic are the main types of water-based paints, and both can be used on furniture. These paints work well on slightly porous surfaces like wood, stone and wicker and hold up through light to moderate use. Water-based paints normally require a primer coat and tend to show brush marks more readily.
How do you dilute water based lacquer?
So the best way to add the retarder is to mix it 50/ 50 with water first and then add that into the water based lacquer while stirring it. Start out with one to two percent of the 50/50 water retarder solution and see if that doesn’t do the trick for you. You can go as high as about 4%.
How do you thin water based varnish for spraying?
Varnishes can be diluted by up to 10% before they are sprayed in order to achieve as even coverage as possible. Simply use the stirring rod included in the scope of delivery.
Can you water down water based stain?
Water-based stains can be thinned with, you guessed it, water. However, it’s worth noting that oil-based wood stains tend to produce deeper colors than water-based stains, and water-based stains often require multiple coats to produce the same shade as an oil-based stain.
Does water based lacquer burn in?
-It’s user friendly from a repair and refinishing perspective, i.e. the coats/layers “burn in” to each other. -It dries fast. -It dries clear – or nearly clear when applied in the right ambient conditions. -It offers protection/durability on a “utility” basis; it is a good all-purpose interior finish.
Is water based varnish as good as oil-based?
In the past, oil-based finishes were more durable than their water-based counterparts. … Water-based varnish does not amber over time, and keeps the color of your wood truer than an oil-based finish would. However, it also “flattens out” the wood grain, and unlike oil-based finishes, does not enhance the grain.
Is acrylic lacquer paint water based?
Unlike enamel paint, acrylic paint is an entirely water-based and non-toxic type of paint.
How do you spray water based gloss?
General Finishes water based products can be sprayed through compressed air, HVLP, airless or C.A.S. units. Surface Preparation: All surfaces should be clean and free from dirt and oil and sanded as per instructions above. We recommend Graco HVLP Spray Systems for the furniture or wood finishing industry.
How do you mix water based polyurethane for spraying?
How to Thin Water Based Polyurethane for Spraying? To get the best results when spraying water-based polyurethane is to mix in 10% water. It is not recommended to go above 10% water, but depending on your spray gun test different amounts to get the best possible finish.
How do you apply water based polyurethane spray?
- Prep your project.
- Setup a dust-free environment.
- Setup the sprayer.
- Thin or mix the polyurethane.
- Spray the polyurethane.
- Sand between coats.
- Apply 2-3 coats (repeat steps 4-6)
Which is better Polycrylic or polyurethane?
Oil-based polyurethane is very durable, making it the best choice for refinishing wooden floors or furniture that gets a lot of use, such as a table. … Polycrylic is a water-based product that is far less smelly and toxic than either type of polyurethane, making it easier to work with.
Is water-based polyurethane white?
Before getting upset, check whether the polyurethane has actually dried. If you’re using water-based material, it’s common for it to appear milky before it dries. … Applying another coat of finish won’t remove the cloudiness as it does when you’re applying lacquer because, unlike lacquer, polyurethane cures.
Can you apply polyurethane on a vertical surface?
Apply the polyurethane with a roller or large foam paint brush. Start at the top of the vertical surface, never the bottom, so the polyurethane is less likely to have thick spots and run. Roll or brush in a downward motion, spreading the polyurethane evenly downward over the surface until you have finished.
What's the difference between paint and lacquer?
A lacquer paint is clear coating that, when dried, produces a solid, durable finish. … Unlike paint, which is thicker and can absorb moisture in wood causing it to soften over time, lacquer is much more flexible and can adapt to the expanding and contracting of wood surfaces.