The lacquer coating is designed to preserve wood and extend the life of wood materials or furniture. But not all varnishes have a large list of properties, and therefore the choice of one or another type is determined by specific conditions, for example, the permeability of the room, humidity, exposure to ultraviolet rays and the ease of applying the varnish itself.
There are many varnishes for coating wood products. When deciding which varnish for wood is better to choose, start from the purpose of the processed materials and the conditions in which they will be used.
Alkyd varnishes
Wood varnishes with alkyd compounds are used for treating wood indoors and outdoors. In terms of strength characteristics, this type of varnish is one of the best. The covering of the wood is hard and reliably protects the wood from moisture. The varnish is resistant to UV rays. There are also minor drawbacks: the varnish dries for a long time, at least three days. Additional additives in alkyd varnishes can reduce the drying time to a day.
Another type of alkyd varnish is products with urethane group additives. Such varnishes dry much faster - up to 12 hours, while the strength characteristics of the coating itself increase significantly.
Oil varnishes
Oil-based varnishes are also often used for indoor wood finishing. These products are presented in several shades: from pale yellow to intense brown. The final appearance of the finished product will depend on the selected shade of varnish.
The composition of this type of varnish varies in terms of fat content. Oily varnishes and varnishes of medium fat content easily and well fall on the surface and, in addition to the decorative effect, serve as protection for the surface. Varnishes with a low percentage of fat, up to 55%, are used exclusively for the aesthetic treatment of wood.
Water-based acrylic varnishes
The choice of acrylic varnish for wood is the lot of environmentalists. The material is safe from this point of view, it is odorless, and gives the processed wood fireproof properties. These varnishes are used for interior and exterior decoration. They retain the texture of the wood, while not giving off yellowness, like other types of varnishes. Usually in stores there is a whole line of varnishes that have different degrees of gloss. These funds are not recommended for rooms with high traffic and in conditions of constant, let alone high humidity. Ultraviolet rays do not significantly affect the varnish. Acrylic varnish dries for a long time, it takes about 2 weeks for it to fully form the film.
Nitrolacs
This type of varnish is used for different types of wood, but mainly for indoor work, since there is no resistance to UV rays. In humid rooms, nitro varnishes are also not used. In other cases, they are good, as they quickly penetrate the wood, provide reliable protection and dry out very quickly, within just a couple of hours. It is imperative to apply nitrolacquer in a respirator, since it contains solvents with a high degree of toxicity.
Polyurethane varnishes
Very often varnishes with a polyurethane composition are used for outdoor decoration. The most famous type of this varnish is yacht. It is resistant to moisture, wear-resistant, withstands high permeability. The surface of the wood after coating with polyurethane varnish is usually glossy. Also, this tool is often used for processing furniture, and for flooring, and even small interior items.
