Durable clear finish

[Gord - Cambridge]

Hi All

I have a person who wants me to put on a Durable clear finish on a coffee/end table set.

I normally spray lacquer is this classified as a Durable clear finish ? I really don't want to spray poly, it takes much to long to dry,(too many dust nibs), & I don't have a spray booth. I have had great luck with lacquer, but I don't know how durable it is.

Thanks.

[Tom in Toronto]

"I normally spray lacquer... & I don't have a spray booth. "

Ummm, I presume then that you are spraying outdoors and with a mask? NC lacquer is HIGHLY combustible.

Anyways, since you already spray NCL, and want a "durable" finish I would suggest a catalyzed (pre or post) lacquer. Yorke Towne Supplies (Toronto) will sell industrial type coatings to hobbyists.

[Harry in Sutton]

Hi Gord,
use a water based polyurethane. It will dry in about 20 minutes, is very safe to use and will provide a very tough surface. I use a minimum of four coats on visible surfaces. If you need more info ask away.
Greetings, Harry

[W.Y. in BC (hot with fore]

My favourite product for that would be Behr ClearLac. It's available at Windsor Plywood in either semi or high gloss. It can be thinned with laquer thinner for fast drying or with varsol for slower drying. I generally spray it but on smaller items I often brush it on. It levels out beautifully and takes very little 250 grit sanding between coats. The sanding comes off like fine powder. Wipe it off with a tack rag to apply next coat.
W.Y.

[Roman]

All laquer is catalyzed wether pre , post, or during otherwise it wont cure(harden).

The advantages of pre catalyed laquer is that you dont have to add the catalist and you can save it if you dont use it all. The disadvantage is that it has a limited shelf life and you cant play with curing times other than through temperature and humidity.

The dis-advantage of adding your own catalist is that you have to add it and a lot can go wrong. But the shelf life is longer provided you dont add the catalist. You can also play with how fast it cures. If you dont spray it all right away then it hardens in your gun so once you add catalist the window of opportunity of using the laquer closes quickly.

As the previous member mentioned Yorke Town has always been good to me and some of the staff are experts and do know what they are talking about.

Not all laquers are the same. Durable yes but under what conditions, and for how long. Check out the stats on water, heat etc., in other words paying a little more is worth it.

In closing most laquers CAUSE SERIOUS and PERMANENT neurological disorders with sustained exposure to fumes.

Best Regards Roman

[Jamie in Brantford]

I agree with Harry. Water based urethane finishes have quite a hard finish and are more durable than lacquer, which is succeptable to alcohol and scratching.

An alternative that I used on a walnut table I made for the cottage is an oil based polyurethane floor finish. I sprayed it on and rubbed it out with pumice then rottenstone, then buffed it with Johnson's Paste Wax. It looks like glass, and is durable as heck. Something I needed at the cottage, as I don't like to move too much when I put my beer down.

[Tom in Toronto]

Thanks Roman, I stand corrected.

I actually should have written "conversion varnish" which requires the addition of a small amount of acid (two part finish) as opposed to conventional nitrocellulose lacquer which doesn't.

[Gord - Cambridge]

Hi Harry

Water base finish is out of the question, these tables have already been rubbed out with 4 zero steel wool... Water base on top of this may cause black spots. These tables have 4 coats of Watco Natural Dainish oil, they have been sitting 4 days since the last coat & I was planning to spray on the weekend.

Oil base poly or Urethane will take too long to dry & where I have to spray, there is is very good chance it will create too much work to rub out the dust nibs, so far, it seems a lacquer is my only choice.

I went to the Glidden store in town & had a good talk with the manager, He said they have some lacquer, supposed to be quite durable, needs to be mixed with a catalyst, not a big deal there, But.... It only comes in 5 gallon cans.... A lot more than I need. This so called durable lacquer is called Superlac Synthetic Lacquer. This fella said he would get the local rep to call me tomorrow am & He is supposed to be a Lacquer Expert. Maybe I'll get lucky and get a free sample LOL.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

[Roman]