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Polyurethane, shellac, varnish, or lacquer, is there a difference? Of course there is! Some of these top coats dry while others cure. Some are better for outdoors, and others for your rustic-style furniture. We’ll cover the differences between each of these so you can make the best choice on a durable finish for your veneer.
All of these finishes are used on natural wood veneers, but each one is a bit different. That means they have different applications, and you should find out which one to use for your furniture.
Shellac is made from combining a solvent with the secretion of the female lac beetle, which looks a bit like reddish tree sap. When combined with a solvent like alcohol, the mixture can be used as a finish to protect wood furniture and other items.
Shellac has been used since the 1500s and was the most popular top coat until the 1960s. It looks beautiful and can impart a warm glow along with bringing out depth in wood grain. Shellac is a drying finish, which means the solvent simply evaporates. New shellac can slightly dissolve the previous layer and create a seamless finish.
Shellac is best used for pieces of furniture that don’t come in contact with hot items or alcohol. Spilled alcohol can dissolve the finish, and hot mugs or pans will cause white rings to form. That’s why it’s not a good finish for table tops.
Polyurethane is a synthetic finish that cures as it dries. That means it undergoes a chemical process that can’t be reversed. This makes it very durable since it resists a variety of chemicals once cured.
On the other hand, it’s harder to do touch-up work later on if you make mistakes when applying the finish. Multi-coat projects require sanding between coats since the new layer won’t dissolve or bond with the old layer on its own.
This top coat comes in two varieties: water-based and oil-based. The water-based variety dries faster and clearer, while the oil-based variety is slightly more durable but does impart a golden hue to the wood.
People use polyurethane on anything from kitchen tables to bar tops and hardwood floors. It’s a versatile finish and is great for natural wood kitchen cabinets. It’s available in matte to high-gloss textures.
You can spray, wipe, or brush polyurethane onto surfaces. Use a natural brush for oil-based poly and a synthetic brush for water-based poly. The rule here is “Stirred, not shaken.” Don’t shake a can of this top coat otherwise, you’ll create hundreds of tiny bubbles that can ruin your finish.
People and manufacturers often use the term “varnish” to signify any type of top coat, but that’s incorrect. Varnish is chemically related to polyurethane, but it has more oil and is more flexible. It also protects well against UV rays, extreme temperatures, and saltwater. This makes it great for outdoor applications, like decks and railings.
Since it’s flexible, it can expand and contract with the wood. People may also use varnish for bathroom furniture for this reason. Varnish also tends to be yellowish in colour.
Lacquer has been around for thousands of years. It was originally made from tree sap, but modern versions use acrylic resin or cellulose dissolved in solvents. The solvents evaporate quickly, so most lacquers are sprayed on. It leaves a hard and glossy surface that is very durable.
Many Asian-inspired furniture pieces use lacquer as a top coat, though traditional lacquerware is often handmade and expensive. The Japanese lacquer technique of urushi is still practiced today. In this technique, many layers of lacquer create a deep and radiant finish on furniture pieces, bowls, and writing instruments.
Whether you choose painted or classic stained furniture, the look that is right for you depends on what you want to get out of your remodel. Consider your furniture material, the room layout, and the overall features and colour scheme of the space to decide whether stained furniture are the perfect addition, or if painted furniture are your ticket to seeing a beautiful before and after in your home remodel.
CWorkshop can paint and stain your furniture, in whatever colour you would like, ensuring a perfict finish each time.
