What to choose for the final coating of wood products. Overview of the five types of coatings.

When applied as a finishing coat can give a product of the wood finish and elegant appearance, and spoil the work.

Looking through various books on wood, I discovered that the finishing or given little attention or explanation are rather complex and it is not clear to whom they are addressed - or a separate master production. Although interesting moments across ...

The book about the end of the last century (100 years ago) got a list of what properties should have varnishes. Quote.

"The properties of coatings, components for their dignity, must meet broadly the following requirements:

lacquers should give a firm, smooth, shiny and smooth surface;

to stick to the surface, does not peel off and not to crack during drying;

dry relatively quickly;

maintain the hardness and strength for a long time, even after the loss of gloss "

In another book on carpentry 1958 edition met this technological sequence of coating process:

• Moisturize.
• Drying.
• Removal of the pile.
• Filling the pores.
• Drying.
• Grinding.
• Applying the first lacquer layer.
• Drying.
• Grinding.
• Applying the second lacquer layer.
• The final drying

Depending on the type of wood, and if the product is colored, some operations are repeated several times.

The theme is really extensive, and with the variety of materials for coating wood, which is now possible and does get lost or, say, a loss with a choice, because you need to decide first what are the criteria to choose.

Next, offer an overview of materials for wood finishing. This review I found in English and possibly understandably tried to translate. This is not a literal translation, but rather a paraphrase.

So get acquainted.

Overview of finishing materials for wood.

Oil

• Dries slowly as compared with other coatings.
• Good impregnate wood.
• It makes a thin film with a slight sheen
• Easily recover scratches enough to put on the damaged surface of the new layer of oil.
• Water repellent
• Well suited for the finishing of porous rocks

• When applying the solvent has a noticeable odor
• Requires periodic refresh coating
• Requires careful surface preparation, poorly polished sections are well marked. Softwood such sites may look dirty.

Shellac. (varnish)

The solvent shellac - industrial alcohol. Shellac - natural resin produced by tropical insects. It can be polished almost to a mirror finish.

• The coating is not very durable, easy to scratch.
• Unstable to water and alcohol.
• dries quickly
• well polished
• easy to restore coverage.
• Traditional politurnoe coating requires sufficient skill.

Lucky.

Can be divided into two categories: nitrovarnishes and varnishes, oil, alkyd, polyurethane and other similar coatings.

Nitrocellulose lacquer (solvent acetone, 646.647)

• Dries quickly. (Dust does not have time to settle)
• It forms a solid stable film.
• Dry layer partially dissolves the new layer, a single film is formed as a result.
• It can be polished and have a smooth surface.
• Toxic. It has a strong odor.
• Well suited for furniture. Widely used in the furniture industry.

Other coatings (solvents mineral spirits, solvent and the like)

• Long drying (dust has time to settle)
• Form a solid film that is resistant to various impacts.
• For brush give a good result.
• They have a strong or very perceptible odor.
• It is advisable to have a separate room with exhaust to get good results.

Water paints

In composition, it can be divided into acrylic and polyurethane. Acrylic jars of white, after drying becomes transparent. Often in the form of a gel and a liquid. Aqueous polyurethane lacquer is initially more transparent, and the liquid spray gun can be applied.

• Nitro lacquer dries a bit slower, but much faster than oil or alkyd.
• It forms a strong transparent film.
• It may have varying degrees of gloss.
• At brush application good results are obtained using a synthetic brush.
• Odorless, water solvent.
• It raises the nap.
• It does not penetrate deeply into the wood.
• Well suited for domestic work.
• Easily painted in different colors.

I hope this material will help in the selection of a final coating.

Thank you for reading. I will be glad of your support in the form of a husky and a subscription to the channel. And look for other posts on the channel.

Alexander.

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