General Overview
Lacquer is regarded as a modern technique of wood finishing that is particularly used on high-end furniture. Some of the best features of lacquer finish are that it is fast-drying, water-resistant, and maintains its liquidity as it ages. Lacquer finishes are in demand due to the reason that they don’t get yellowish with the passage of time, secured well against liquids, and it needs very little maintenance. Lacquers are very similar to varnish or urethane but are generally sprinkled on instead of applying with a brush or hand-rubbed cloth. Like varnish and urethanes, and in disparity to oil finishes, lacquer sets up a film on top of the wood grain instead of saturating it. The use and development of lacquer finishes have made shellac hugely insignificant since the mid-1900s. The lacquers that are used by craftsmen at Lyndon and Copeland are GreenGuard Certified, which means that it sticks to high standards for eco-friendliness and non-toxicity.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Lacquer Wood Finish
If in case you are planning to use a lacquer finish on your wood, then here are some of the pros & cons you will want to go through:
Advantages/Pros
- Easy Application: One of the best things about a lacquer finish is that it has a very easy & simple application process. Apart from waiting for the application to dry completely, the process is effortless and painting it is very simple.
- Sleek Look: With a lacquer finish, it is highly possible that you will get a sleeker appearance as well as a surface, that is extremely easy to clean and wipe off.
- Protection: Once you apply a lacquer finish on your wood, it is possible that you will be able to prevent it from weather wear and tear. It will be unlikely to worsen or crack and it makes it extremely hard for mold to get in and grow.
- Recoating: Another advantage of using a lacquer finish is that it can be recoated without creating any other problems. The recoating will help stick to the older lacquer properly, and you will also get good transparency with the recoating. However, if in case you use lacquer in order to recoat an older finish, then it also essential to sand the scratches or damaged sections of the wood to prevent the gray color from occurring. Cleaning the damaged sections require a great deal of physical labor.
Disadvantages/Cons
Apart from the above-mentioned advantages, there are two main disadvantages of using a lacquer finish, which are mentioned below:
- Chemicals: One of the limitations about a lacquer finish is that it will frequently have a low resistance to chemicals. Therefore, after the cleaning process or even a spill, if in case your finish is on the deck with a grill, you may need to reapply.
- Maintenance: Maintenance is very important when it comes to finishing wood. Apart from protecting the wood generously, you also have to continue applying it yearly, sometimes more or less which totally depends on whether it is inside or outside.