Since lacquer has shorter drying times, its not versatile enough for wider applications. Of course, you can also apply it with an HVLP sprayer, roller, and cloth depending on the type of polyurethane, but the brush is the recommended tool. In addition to promoting a safe environment for painters, it also has many benefits in terms of reducing waste and producing high-quality results on surfaces such as wood, metal or plastic. For example, oil-based polyurethane gives a warm glow to wood, and it yellows over time. Once refined, these products offer a glossy and extremely durable finish. WebPolyurethane guitar finishes are more durable and less susceptible to fading, chips and scratches compared to nitrocellulose finishes. The nitro finish is slightly porous compared to poly finishes, which means its softer. Its also more environmentally friendly because water-based polyurethane doesnt leave a yellow tint upon drying and carries no odor. Due to its thickness, it also requires fewer coats to achieve full coverage. However, as impressive as this is, it is nowhere close to lacquer. Once thats done, dont forget to clean the dust particles from the surface. Polyurethane does not have that problem. As we applied these finishes on outdoor surfaces, its not hard to notice how polyurethane shows signs of cracks and peels when exposed to changing weather conditions. Thanks to this, it takes less time and cost less money. You may not know, but sprays are more costly than regular brushes. Check out our Guitar Cleaning Guide here. It can be used on a wide range of wood furniture but mainly on floors, tables, fences, and other surfaces that need protection from water and scratches. (But here are the top-rated non-yellowing polyurethanes we highly recommend!). An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Polyurethane is more durable and less likely to chip or flake than lacquer. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thewoodworkplace_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',150,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewoodworkplace_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');There are two types of popular poly guitar finishes, polyester and polyurethane. Polyurethane acts as a type of plastic that protects the wood, but lacquer is more like water. Whats the Difference Between Polyurethane, Varnish, Shellac and Lacquer? Like polyurethane, polyester finishes look great, age well and are extremely durable. Urethane is far more durable, scratch resistant and easy to work with. Lacquer has a watery consistency, which can be temperamental, but its easy to handle. Polyurethane finishes are softer and thinner which to some players feels nicer, but they are also softer than polyester finishes which are less susceptible to dings and scratches. Itll give you smooth texture and even layers, but it doesnt yield the best results for wide applications like wood floors. PROS Transparent when it dries, making it perfect for indoor usage Spray application creates smooth results Fast-drying in only 10 minutes Resistant to liquids If the finish softens, you have a lacquer finish. Curing can take up to a month to complete, during which time, nitro lacquer will continue to release dangerous VOCs into the air. Youll have to wait a few hours before polyurethane is dry to the touch. On the other hand, polyurethane is thick, so it is best to apply it with a brush. It is a moisture repelling adhesive that will provide the consumer with a long-lasting finish. Their strength makes them more resistant to cracks as they cover the instrument more successfully, lessening the chance of wood expansion/contraction. Once dry, it is buffed to a gloss or satin finish. It dries quickly, leaves no odors and is easy to clean up. Polyurethane protects the wood by forming a plastic-like coating, while lacquer is a water-based product. If you want to take part in the challenge, then start the video at 1:23. PROS Transparent when it dries, making it perfect for indoor usage Spray application creates smooth results Fast-drying in only 10 minutes Resistant to liquids Polyurethane was invented in Germany in 1937. Lacquer has a thinner consistency, so adding multiple coats wont take as long as applying polyurethane. Oil-Based Given that most projects require at least 3 coats, it could take you three days just to apply water-based polyurethane alone. Whats interesting, though, is that a lot of high-end guitars are deliberately damaged and worn to create an aged look. It causes a number of health problems from dizziness and nausea, to absolute blackout unconsciousness. Besides its glossy finish, the best attribute acrylic lacquer can offer better than others is its resistance to yellowing. On more affordable guitars its likely youll find a polyester finish, for example of most Mexican Fender guitars. Theres a big debate in the guitar world over nitro and poly finishes and which are the best. It all depends on the ingredients used in the lacquer. You must apply it in many thin layers to form a durable finish because this product doesnt have a thick consistency. The substances themselves and their various application methods and combinations are enormously complex. Sources. Given how thick polyurethane can be, it is rarely used for high-end furniture. Apart from their relative simplicity, poly guitar finishes are also a lot thicker and stronger than nitrocellulose, with a glossier look. Above, an American Special Stratocaster with a gloss urethane finish (a type of polyurethane finish). Its also the kind of chemical you need to apply using the spraying method when mixed with thinner. Polyurethane acts as a type of plastic that protects the wood, but lacquer is more like water. Other things to watch out for are bubbles, which are very common, and dust nibs. Apart from the above, small cracks can appear in a nitro finish after several years too. Problem 4: Scratch-Resistance. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. Fender also experimented with acrylic during this period, but nitrocellulose was generally favoured for finishing guitars as it could form a nicer gloss. When this lacquer dries, users can expect it to yield a clear coat. After full application, the solvent chemicals are left to fully dissolve; leaving a dry resin-like texture. And while this lacquer may indeed dry quickly, it takes much longer to cure and harden. However, nitrocellulose lacquer does not handle scratches properly. Lacquer vs polyurethane. As polyester and polyurethane is based on synthetic resin, no solvents remain after their application to a surface; hardening completely. If you're shopping for a new guitar, you should therefore consider the finish that it has. Polyurethane is more durable and less likely to chip or flake than lacquer. You can use brushes to apply lacquer and polyurethane. The finish is very thick and hard, meaning it will not damage as easily and dont fade as much over time. To combat these problems, manufacturers have developed water-based lacquer and water-based polyurethane. Thats because, while this finish can yellow with age, it doesnt leave your guitar looking dated. Although it dries slower, polyurethane offers better durability than lacquer because of its thick consistency. Web122K subscribers In this video we discuss the differences between polyurethane and nitrocellulose lacquer, specifically as they apply to guitar finishing. Lacquer, on the other hand, snaps easily under pressure. That is why choosing the right finish is critical, most especially when it is a project you were paid to execute. Read: What is the Difference Between Spar urethane and Polyurethane. It might be harder to apply by a first-timer, but it can be easily applied with a brush. Take a step back and assess which option will get the job done better. Unfortunately, lacquer is also known to peel and discolor over time. One of the determining factors when choosing a wood finish is how easy it is to apply. The difference in the two are night and day. That is before the health-costs of this toxic paint spray saw it quickly replaced by Acrylic Lacquer paint instead. But because of this, some therefore believe that poly-finished guitars sound somewhat neutered and less acoustically resonant, with reduced sustain. Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitars wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain. Urethane is far more durable, scratch resistant and easy to work with. Its not the easiest finish to apply on hardwood floors, but you can fix that by mixing some thinning agent. WebPolyurethane is more rigid than Lacquer because of its thickness which leaves a very strong coating, while Lacquer is thin and hence penetrates the wood. But, of course, it also helps that it is thicker than lacquer. Lacquer, on the other hand, is thinner. But then again, what are the chances of that happening? Lacquer vs polyurethane durability. Both finishes have tendencies to show a yellow tinge over time, but polyurethane products tend to show signs of it earlier than others. The fact that it is simpler and faster to apply than nitrocellulose keeps costs down, while of course, offering a shinier look and greater durability. They get thinner and more brittle as they age because the thinners in them continue to evaporate throughout an instruments lifetime. Before you add any more coats to your kitchen cabinets and other wooden furniture pieces, take a moment to consider the perks and disadvantages of lacquer products. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thewoodworkplace_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_7',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewoodworkplace_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');Nitro coats are much thinner than polyurethane finishes. When applied to paper, would polyurethane and lacquer sprays give that plasticky feel to paper? Since lacquer has an extremely glossy finish, itll show scratches on high-traffic areas, like floors. WebAs explained above, polyurethane is thicker than lacquer. Fender continues to use urethane finishes on many of its instruments (American Standard Series, various artist models), with variants including flatter satin urethane (necks on Deluxe, Standard, Highway One, American Deluxe and American Standard models) and thicker, shinier gloss urethane (American Specials, Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster). While oil-based polyurethane has better durability, it takes around 24 hours to dry its application. Yes, you might make mistakes, but all you need is a bit of solvent, such as white spirit, to solve your problem. How Many Coats of Varnish Do You Apply on Wood? And as poly peels, that lacquer top coat will crack in turn. However, both nitro and poly finishes are in fact plastic. Before proceeding with the application, ensure that you wear the right protective gear to stay safe from harmful fumes. Deciding what gets the upper hand in lacquer vs poly is even more complicated. What works well with it ? A high build lacquer spray or polyurethane spray like rust oleum? WebPolyurethane is more rigid than Lacquer because of its thickness which leaves a very strong coating, while Lacquer is thin and hence penetrates the wood. Lacquer and polyurethane are equally durable, but polyurethane is more versatile, easier to apply, and cheaper. How Do You Check A Nitro Finish And Identify If It Is Really Nitrocellulose Lacquer? Check out this blindfold challenge on the Andertons YouTube channel to hear some Strats with polyurethane and nitrocellulose finishes being compared. Hey, I'm Heather. Is Nitrocellulose Lacquer Really Bad For The Environment? Because its slow drying, expert woodworkers generally prefer lacquer or water-based polyurethane over oil-based polyurethane. Lacquer vs polyurethane. Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitars wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain. You must also sand down the material to make it smooth and even. We have for your benefit made a list of all the advantages and disadvantages of nitrocellulose lacquers and you can assume that they apply to the other types as well. Lacquer is thinner and less durable so you must use it indoors only. Nitro needs to air dry to release its solvent and its usually a good bet it will take about thirty days to dry. (cabdirect.org), Comparison of six ester components in nitrocellulose lacquer thinner from the aspects of dissolution rates, explosion characteristics and environmental influence ScienceDirect, The use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Nowadays, the poly finishes are applied more carefully particularly on higher-end guitars which means they are far from inferior tonally compared to nitro finishes. Ernie Ball Slinky String Guide: Comparison and Which to Choose. Of course, youd still need to take good care of your guitar, and our range of electric guitar care productscan help your instrument to maintain a showroom look! Robert Johnson is a woodworker who takes joy in sharing his passion for creating to the rest of the world. This combination can form a more durable and longer lifespan than other oil-based finishes. Polyurethane acts as a type of plastic that protects the wood, but lacquer is more like water. Although nitro finishes are more synonymous with premium instruments, it doesnt mean that poly finishes scream cheap. This is because a thinned polyurethane top coat will give you the near-weightless benefit of a lacquer coat without any of those toxic nitrocellulose fumes. Lacquer is thinner and will form a glossy finish that is not waterproof. Nitrocellulose are predominantly used in high-end guitars, however are less commonly used today compared to in the 50s and 60s where both Fender and Gibson utilised them. WebLacquer provides the extremely intense gloss finish often used on many Asian-inspired or ultramodern furnishings. Oil-Based Nitrocellulose is considered to be more porous than polyester or polyurethane, with a thin, smooth and somewhat slippery texture that isnt quite as solid or constrictive. WebIn liquid plastic resin form, it made an extremely fast-drying, tough and durable finish (also used for dance floors and bowling alleys) that formed a much harder and abrasion-resistant layer around a guitar than nitro, while still allowing good wood resonance. Back in Fenders early days, there was no such thing as a vintage guitar market. By its color, its pattern and its conditionpristine, battered or somewhere in betweenthe finish is a defining element of your instrument and your musical identity. If you inspect the options closely, youll notice that lacquer has a lighter consistency. So, choose polyurethane over nitro. 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