What is the difference between lacquer and conversion varnish?
A lacquer is a single-component, pre-catalyzed, nitro-celluloid finishthat has 12-18% solids by volume. It is air-cured. A conversion varnish is a high-end solids, two-part post-catalyzed lacquer, which means a hardener must be mixed with this product for the application.
What is the difference between lacquer and pre-catalyzed lacquer?
If you love lacquer but wish it was more durable, take a look at pre-catalyzed (pre-cat) lacquer. It retains the best qualities of traditional lacquer but provides a harder surface that better resists abrasion, thanks to a catalyst (think of two-part epoxy) that initiates a chemical reaction as the finish dries.
What is a catalyzed conversion varnish?
A catalyzed conversion varnish is a fast-drying finish that comes in two parts: the finish and an acid catalyst (hardener) that is added to the finish just before spraying.
What is pre-catalyzed conversion varnish?
Precatalyzed (pre-cat) Lacquers are blends of nitrocellulose resin, plasticizers and thermosetting resins dissolved in solvent. After drying, nitrocellulose resin can be easily re-dissolved in common solvent, but thermosetting resins react to form films that cannot be re-dissolved.
Which is better lacquer or varnish?
As already mentioned, lacquer is the toughest of the two, though both leave hard, durable surfaces. Generally, the most common reason for favouring lacquer is simply that it wears better. Varnish can look very beautiful when applied correctly, but it doesn’t have the same longevity.
Is conversion varnish better than polyurethane?
However, it also lasts much longer and, although polyurethane is quite protective when compared to other lacquers and paints, conversion varnish is still consistently more durable. While it might cost a little more, it is ultimately a better value, offering longer lasting protection and durability in your home.
What is pre-catalyzed lacquer used for?
Also more commonly known as Pre-cat is a one component lacquer system off-the-shelf product. Pre-catalysed refers to the fact that the manufacturer has added a hardening agent during the manufacturing process. Easy-to-use and durable pre-cat lacquer makes a great finish for indoor furniture and cabinetry.
Is conversion varnish waterproof?
Varnish which includes polyurethane and conversion varnish is the most durable of the finishes. It protects well against heat, solvents, acids, wear, alkyds, and water.
Can lacquer be applied over conversion varnish?
Rule of thumb: You can generally apply the same type of coating over itself e.g., precat over precat, conversion varnish over conversion varnish, etc. Waterborne coatings can generally be applied over solvent-borne coatings, but not the other way around as they may lift/wrinkle the coating.
Can I use lacquer instead of varnish?
While the terms varnish, polyurethane, lacquer and shellac are commonly used to reference a final finish in general, these products are not the same, nor is it recommended that they be used interchangeably.
Does conversion varnish yellow over time?
Well, there a quite a few finish options that do not leave your with yellowing whites. Conversion Varnish – these finishes are vastly superior to lacquer. Incredibly durable with a higher solids content than lacquer, a quality “CV” finish will also be much more scratch resistant and totally non-yellowing.
Can you paint over catalyzed lacquer?
Yes. you can paint enamel over a lacquer substrate like any painted surface once you have sanded and cleaned it of dirt, dust, and grease.
Will pre-catalyzed lacquer yellow?
It resists most household liquids, chemicals and solvents, in addition to being fairly scratch resistant. However, pre-catalyzed lacquer suffers that same problem as the nitrocellulose lacquers that came before it, and which it is also made with; it will yellow over time.
What is pre catalyzed lacquer used for?
What does catalyzed lacquer do?
A catalyzed lacquer is a coating that dries by evaporation, acting very much like a straight lacquer (defined above with no chemical curing or crosslinking) and then cures by the reaction initiated by the catalyst. Catalyzed lacquers further shifted the definition of lacquer.
How long does catalyzed lacquer take to dry?
pre-blended catalyst, which helps to build resistance properties into the finish. The finish reaches maximum characteristics after 30 days. (M614-2400 series), DuraCoat™ Sealer (M614-2400) or E-Z Vinyl™ Sealer (M610-800) and allow to dry for 30-45 minutes.
What happens if you don’t catalyzed lacquer?
It will never lose the tacky feeling, though it will dry on the surface to a small degree. Expect to be called back to refinish them in the future if you don’t strip and refinish now. Spraying anything on top of them as they are now will cause wrinkling and major adhesion issues.
Is conversion varnish more durable than lacquer?
While it is true that they are more durable than lacquers, this is a relative way of looking at film coating. The truth is they really aren’t so tough. With a conversion varnish, you are just buying a little more time. In the end, they get just as scratched and dull as a conventional lacquer.
Can I use denatured alcohol to remove conversion varnish?
A conversion varnish finish may not last forever, but no finish will, and it will far outlast a lacquer finish. One of our customers took denatured alcohol to remove magic marker from one of our tabletops finished with cv with no ill effect. Try that with regular lacquer and you’ll have problems.
Does conversion varnish have chemical resistance?
As suggested, the chemical resistance of conversion varnish is typically implied in a household situation, and possibly in a commercial situation, but quite a number of folks doing conference tables, for example, rightly use lacquer because the surfaces they deal with are perpetually damaged.
What is the dwell time of pre-cat varnish?
Pre-cat needs no dwell time because the catalyst is part of the mix before you open the can. Conversion varnish has pot life issues of 8 hours to weeks depending on the manufacturer of the coating and climate conditions.