Whether you are refinishing an old piece of furniture or completing a new woodworking project, using a durable wood finish will help protect your piece and bring out the natural beauty of the wood. There are plenty of options for finishing wood projects, and each has its own characteristics. Varnish and lacquer surface coatings are highly durable for long lasting results. Waxes and oils, on the other hand, create beautiful finishes but do not provide the long lasting protection and durability you may want for certain projects.
Varnish gives a wood piece long lasting protection and scratch resistance due to the presence of strong resins. Varnishes are superior to most other finishes in their ability to resist water, chemicals and heat. Varnish is typically applied with a brush, though wiping varnishes, which create a duller appearance and are designed to be rubbed on, are also available. Polyurethane is a popular and versatile type of varnish for wood finishing.
Lacquer is the most commonly used surface coating for furniture. It offers durability and unlike shellac, it also provides resistance to water and alcohol. While lacquer is a great option for frequently used furniture pieces, it dries quickly and may require some experience before attempting to use it on a major project.
Wax based and oil finishes certainly have their places in the wood finishing world, however they do not offer as much durability and long lasting protection as varnishes and lacquers. Wax finishes create a beautiful shine, but provide only short term protection and need to be reapplied often. Oil based finishes such as tung oil give wood a natural warmth but provide a lower level of water and scratch resistance than varnish or lacquer.
While lacquer and varnish will give you longer lasting finishes than waxes and oils, several factors should be considered when choosing the best type of finish for your wood project. Your skill level as well as the type of equipment you have available are important factors in the decision. For instance, whether you have a garage and a brush or a full shop with spray equipment will affect the finish options that are feasible for your project. Different types of finish can also affect the color and appearance of a piece, so the desired final look should be considered when choosing the right finish. Another factor is the way the piece will be used. Heavily used furniture pieces and high traffic wood floors, for example, call for a higher level of durability and protection than a decorative piece that will hang on a wall or rest on a mantle.
Varnish gives a wood piece long lasting protection and scratch resistance due to the presence of strong resins. Varnishes are superior to most other finishes in their ability to resist water, chemicals and heat. Varnish is typically applied with a brush, though wiping varnishes, which create a duller appearance and are designed to be rubbed on, are also available. Polyurethane is a popular and versatile type of varnish for wood finishing.
Lacquer is the most commonly used surface coating for furniture. It offers durability and unlike shellac, it also provides resistance to water and alcohol. While lacquer is a great option for frequently used furniture pieces, it dries quickly and may require some experience before attempting to use it on a major project.
Wax based and oil finishes certainly have their places in the wood finishing world, however they do not offer as much durability and long lasting protection as varnishes and lacquers. Wax finishes create a beautiful shine, but provide only short term protection and need to be reapplied often. Oil based finishes such as tung oil give wood a natural warmth but provide a lower level of water and scratch resistance than varnish or lacquer.
While lacquer and varnish will give you longer lasting finishes than waxes and oils, several factors should be considered when choosing the best type of finish for your wood project. Your skill level as well as the type of equipment you have available are important factors in the decision. For instance, whether you have a garage and a brush or a full shop with spray equipment will affect the finish options that are feasible for your project. Different types of finish can also affect the color and appearance of a piece, so the desired final look should be considered when choosing the right finish. Another factor is the way the piece will be used. Heavily used furniture pieces and high traffic wood floors, for example, call for a higher level of durability and protection than a decorative piece that will hang on a wall or rest on a mantle.
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