I'll stain it to match (oak) and then would like to put polyurethane on all the cabinets to give them a uniform appearance. Its looking a little dull and I want to "re-poly" it but not re-stain it. Wiki User Answered . Yes, sometimes I will apply lacquer over a hand rubbed oil finish in order to get the depth and beauty that the slow drying oil/varnish blend brings out, while gaining the protective properties of lacquer. Oil finishes tend to soak into the grain and yellow. You can put anything over poly, b/c poly is catalized therefore reducers will not melt it. See Answer. While you can add a layer of polyurethane to laminate flooring, it's really not the best material to use. For example, polyurethane and lacquer look the same, both in a can and on the wood, even though they have very different characteristics. We’ve answered the question can you apply water-based polyurethane over oil-based and we know that it’s okay to apply water-based poly can over oil-based provided that the surface of the application is in excellent condition bearing no dirt or grease. Tip. (Age is the best indicator though, as sniffling for loss-y aromatics may not work all the time.) You can add additional coats later to even out the finish as needed. On the bright side, polyurethane adheres well to most surfaces and can be applied over oil-based coats. Easiest thing would be to just continue with the poly, doesn't sound like you're that far from being done. Hi, you can certainly use ASCP over Polyvine if you fancy a change of colour, no problem. It will leave a sticky mess which won't every really dry. Brush-on lacquer will dry quickly but is formulated to give you at least a little bit of time to apply and even out the finish. While some polyurethane varnishes are very picky about to what substrates they will adhere, if you should want the kind of additional durability that you are aiming for you can use a traditional resin varnish over shellac (dewaxed or with the natural wax still included) or lacquer. Now that you know the basics let’s get into the true difference between lacquer and polyurethane is. A brand of real tung oil is Hope's Tung Oil. If you must, wash the parts with naphtha and a maroon Scotchbrite™ pad to remove any oil or wax and lightly rough the surface. – Graphus Oct 8 '18 at 12:09 It can also be a fossilized resin such as amber or copal or Kauri gum (fossilized Kauri tree gum found in New Zeland and similar to amber.) You can also find polyurethane in paints, foam cushions, and many other products as it provides strength while being durable and flexible. Answered. Be certain to work quickly adding a thin coat, but don't over-brush your work. View Entire Discussion (6 Comments) More posts from the DIY community . Understanding the differences between lacquer vs. polyurethane durability can help you to make a wise choice when it comes to finishing your latest project. OldDupontGuy. Oil based poly offers more colour depth and shine. Lacquer vs. Polyurethane. It's all subjective. Oil-Based Polyurethane Looks . Spray lacquer is commonly used on new furniture and in new construction. Answer + 1. Created from synthetic compounds and first used during World War II, polyurethane is a polymer that is strong, durable, and arguably the most popular of all topcoat finishes currently in use today. You can either use a vinyl sealer or dewaxed shellac as the barrier coat. Polyurethane varnish is one of the best finishes for a countertop-- it's durable and, when applied properly, can be just as subtle as lacquer. Step 7 Run your hand over the frame during a "dry phase" to ensure that the surface is perfectly smooth. Polyurethane doesn't stick well to laminate floors, which are already covered in resin because of the way laminate is made. Asked by Wiki User. The rattlecan finish was easy and cheap, but I would like something tuff. A dust mask will not protect you from the vapors of lacquer. Lacquer dries within 10 to 15 minutes of application, so you can apply several coats in a single day. It isn't unusual to clear-coat an acrylic paint finish on a metal surface, such as on an automobile, with CAB-acrylic or acrylic lacquer. But it is a finish that has been used on furniture for a very long time so I wouldn’t really consider it an inferior finish. Many individuals use these terms interchangeably, but there is actually quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane. Posted by 3 days ago. Best of all, applying polyurethane doesn't require spray equipment and is a job you can easily do yourself. The advantage of the water-based finish is ease of use, quick drying, no odor, and easy cleanup. If it really is tung oil, it won't work over lacquer or polyurethane. Poly, lacquer, waterbased poly…. For water-based finishes, use a compatible “emulsified” fish-eye eliminator. Apply a coat of dewaxed shellac or Zinsser SealCoat™ and allow to dry overnight before applying lacquer topcoats. This product can actually be used on wooden floors. Polyurethane varnish is one of the best finishes for a countertop-- it's durable and, when applied properly, can be just as subtle as lacquer. You can never reconstitute polyurethane once it has hardened. 2008-12-17 02:10:12. In varnish making, resin can be a viscous liquid often derived from coniferous plants, such as balsam, or rosin. You can put anything you want over shellac. What are cons and pros of each and in what scenario you should choose one over the other? Some people like that and others don't. Also, can you coat polyurethane? However, over time, oil poly tends to darken, thus becoming yellow. The title says lacquer but the body text and the tag suggest you want to use polyurethane (which generally refers to varnish). Some of these water-based finishes are not for use over lacquer or shellac. Last time I used Rust-Oleum water-based matte polyurethane. There is a problem with putting lacquer over poly. Before you decide to go forward with the NC lacquer, you should know that if you ever want to apply another coating over it, such as a polyurethane, you will probably experience lifting. Simply so, can lacquer be sprayed over polyurethane? Out on a limb here - polyurethane over nitrocellulose paint is usually safe if the nitroucelluose paint is old and isn't gassing off any more. Lacquer. OldDupontGuy's Profile; E-mail OldDupontGuy; OldDupontGuy's Website; Top Contributor. Re: Stupid mistake - polyurethane and lacquer Poly over lacquer is ok, lacquer over poly won't work because the thinners are to hot and they will melt the poly. 5.8k. It is necessary that the surface be abraded--220 or 320 grit will work fine--so that the varnish has some … Water-based oil-modified polyurethane is a relatively new product that combines the durability of an oil base with the cleanup of a water base. Could I put polyurethane over old polyurethane? You got it backwards. Top. You can't sand down laminate in order to get the polyurethane to stick, so there's no way to improve the cohesion between the two. It used to be lacquer, then enamel, urethane, polyurethane, now water based enters the picture. It is appropriate that you remove all the traces of grease on the oil-based finish using the procedures highlighted earlier on in this article. Some believe that a good quality shellac finish is just as good as any other finish out there, but those guys also happen to sell shellac so it’s hard to say. Professional wood finishers, who work on fine wood furniture, almost exclusively use lacquers. Most professionals agree that water-based varnish is the best product to use over paint. The lacquer will not bubble the poly. Use a bristle brush, preferably of high-quality natural bristles, to apply the lacquer. In contrast, woodworking is physics. Is it possible to spray a 2 part clearcoat (Poly/Urethane) over the acrylic lacquer, perhaps using some intermediate layer between them so there's no reaction. The original cabinets have lacquer on them....well dried and well adhered. Best of all, applying polyurethane doesn't require spray equipment and is a job you can easily do yourself. Polyurethane is a more durable coating. 4 answers Hillela G. on Mar 2, 2017. Varnish can be used to protect, preserve, and enhance paint. Will just some light sanding and reapplying a couple coats of straight poly be ok? I needed to just put a clear water-based polyurethane over the paint. Also, do you want to keep the bench outside after this? Top Answer. Repeat the process, apply a coat of varnish, and let it dry until you achieve the lacquer finish you desire. It was fine, but I wasn’t impressed enough with it to use it again. 1968 Coronet R/T ACTS 16:31. If you paint over it prematurely it could cause a reaction and I would never advise anyone to put a waterbased product over the top of a petrolium based product that hasn’t cured. woodworking. I used it on a project; it was interesting to use, but really polyurethane is better. The thing about varnishing over wax is that wax is slippery old stuff and it takes an age to fully cure. I'm preparing to do some kitchen remodeling and am planning to add a cabinet. Subsequently, question is, can you put polyurethane on countertops? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder they say. When you spray lacquer over a solvent-based acrylic finish, they combine to form a hybrid film, even if the acrylic is pigmented to form a paint. It dries way to fast, does not self-level, and has ruined more than one project of mine, so that wasn’t even an option. However, I can't guarantee that the NC lacquer will adhere to the well cured polyurethane. You can choose from polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or even varnish. I understand that Polyurethane or Urethane clearcoats are more durable - harder and gasoline resistant than lacquer. As Tonar mentioned you can shoot poly OVER lacquer; but spraying lacquer on top of poly will tend to leave a melted, bubbly gooey mess. It will be an adhesion problem. I proceed in the usual manner of sanding the wood to 320, then applying the General Finishes Seal a Cell as the first coat. You can see that a band saw is a band saw and not a table saw (even though both have a table) and that a mortise-and-tenon is not a dovetail. can you put epoxy resin over lacquer, Resin is an ill defined term and has been used for a wide range of substances. You may need to apply more coats of acrylic varnish to "raise up" the lacquer finish to the level of the photograph. I have a butcher block counter top on the kitchen island. 7 8 9. POLYURETHANE: Polyurethane is a totally man made set of synthetic organic compounds first invented in World War II. With all the modern advances in coatings -- polyurethane, shellac, urethane, or varnish -- some confusion about formula is to be expected. Hi Mark, can you be more specific about what you want to put on top? Lacquer can discolor over a long time. Can you use polyurethane over lacquer on kitchen cabinets? It also can go over oil-based finishes and can be applied using synthetic-bristle brushes, a foam roller or a rag, as can other water-based polyurethanes. To add fish-eye eliminator to oil-based varnish or polyurethane, thin with a little mineral spirits or naphtha first to make it easier to stir in. It was stained with a stain containing polyurethane. All have their pros and cons but when it comes to clear coat for automotive finishes polyurethane is state of the art for today at least. Dullness. One word of caution – read the label carefully and follow the specific instructions. I suggest that you try a test area somewhere on the vehicle where nobody can see it. A quick guide to wood finishes - what to use, and when to use them. Minwax Polycrylic is junk, in my humble opinion. Can you use polyurethane over a lacquer finish on wood? Lacquer has a high VOC (volatile organic compound) content, which makes it dangerous to use without a respirator that has an organic vapor cartridge. You need to put a barrier coat in between the two. On top can add can you put polyurethane over lacquer coats later to even out the finish needed! Being durable and flexible get into the true difference between lacquer and polyurethane is term and has used. Quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane or dewaxed shellac or Zinsser and... 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Olddupontguy 's Profile ; E-mail OldDupontGuy ; OldDupontGuy 's Website ; top Contributor is,! Looking a little dull and i want to keep the bench outside after this traces of grease on the where!, such as balsam, or even varnish Website ; top Contributor do you want to raise! To darken, thus becoming yellow not melt it n't every really dry a can you put polyurethane over lacquer dry ''... A difference between lacquer and polyurethane is is slippery old stuff and it an. Was easy and cheap, but there is actually quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane is job... Time. i needed to just put a clear water-based polyurethane over or! Latest project quickly adding a thin coat, but really polyurethane is a job can! A relatively can you put polyurethane over lacquer product that combines the durability of an oil base with the cleanup of water... It on a project ; it was interesting to use, but i wasn t... To soak into the grain and yellow needed to just continue with cleanup! 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