Given the many things polyurethane protects your wood from, it is not surprising that it can handle more abuse than lacquer. 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. While its true that polyurethane durability levels are impressive, it doesnt mean you can grab any product on the shelf. The purpose of a guitar's finish goes beyond just its aesthetic value. The only problem with water-based polyurethane coatings is they cant stand against heat. Urethane is far more durable, scratch resistant and easy to work with. Sawinery is a one-stop source for anything woodworking-related. Lacquer vs polyurethane. They look glossy, not plastic like polyurethane. Once thats done, dont forget to clean the dust particles from the surface. They must also be carefully hand-buffed and sanded at the final stage to ensure a consistent, professional quality. While oil-based polyurethane has better durability, it takes around 24 hours to dry its application. A nitrocellulose guitar finish is applied multiple times over several days, with each coat essentially melting the previous one. Ironically, what makes polyurethane frustrating to use is the same thing that makes it more versatile. Its says youre state-of-art or old-school; classic or cutting edge. Since lacquer has shorter drying times, its not versatile enough for wider applications. Is Chipboard Safe Enough For A Guinea Pigs Home? Friendly Community. It can be wiped-on (or brushed on a little more thickly). The good thing about the VOCs in these products is that they are no longer dangerous when they dry. The substances themselves and their various application methods and combinations are enormously complex. It is absorbed into the surface of the wood, forming a stronger bond that is more difficult to disrupt. Their strength makes them more resistant to cracks as they cover the instrument more successfully, lessening the chance of wood expansion/contraction. 2023 Andertons Music Company Many purists and luthiers therefore believe that a nitro finish allows a guitars wood to breathe, yielding a more open sound and greater sustain. One of the determining factors when choosing a wood finish is how easy it is to apply. For novice, pro and collector alike, there is no visual element of a guitar more important than its finish. Goodell has been in love with woodworking for more than two decades. Nitro finishes are typically seen on older or high-end guitars. Polyurethane is a thicker liquid that can offer resistance to scratches and heavy rains. The best way to apply lacquer is with a high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayer. These are the gases found in solvent-based chemicals. All of these make applying polyurethane, as a beginner, a bit challenging to use. So, to prevent further confusion, we are going to clear the air once and for all. So it really depends on the specific product youre using. It might be harder to apply by a first-timer, but it can be easily applied with a brush. Compared to other oil-based finishes like tung oil, water-based lacquer carries less toxic components and odor. Besides its glossy finish, the best attribute acrylic lacquer can offer better than others is its resistance to yellowing. Youll be well on your way to finding the right guitar for you. Maybe Im an old-timer, but I love wooden projects. Both products have varying price ranges, depending on the brand, quality, and other factors. WebLacquer is easy to apply and dries much faster, making it the most ideal for quick and simple projects. Given how quickly lacquer dries, it is not suitable for large projects. WebLacquer is easy to apply and dries much faster, making it the most ideal for quick and simple projects. Take a step back and assess which option will get the job done better. Nitro finishes are more time-consuming and labour intensive to apply. Its also important to note that polyurethane can yellow over time, so if youre looking for a finish that will remain colorfast over the years, lacquer is the better option. You must consider these perks and drawbacks to determine if its worth your money. However, our experts suggest being careful when using a high volume of this finish as its highly flammable. Initially derived from the secretions of the lac bug, lacquer remains a popular finish for cabinets and high-end wood furniture, even though its formula has changed drastically. (How about painting over a lacquer finish? Its great color enhancement works best in wood furniture pieces because it can blend with light and dark paint. While lacquer can also be applied with other tools, that is only recommended for much smaller jobs when hiring or buying a sprayer is impractical. Unfortunately, neither polyurethane nor lacquer stands the test of time. In this video, we discuss the eternal Great Debate: Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish on guitars, vs. polyurethane. Wood is a substance that moves and changes with climate, treatment and age, as do the finish coatings that are applied to it. A, New DIYers often question cedars durability, mainly because its one of the softer woods in todays market. Nitrocellulose lacquers have been around for almost a century; originally used for acoustic instruments, saxophones and even cars. 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 Both finishes contain toxic Gas and water permeability of poplar wood coated with sealer and nitrocellulose lacquer, polyester lacquer and nano-particles. Its easy to assume any wood finish will fulfill your woodworking requirements, but here are some things you need to consider: Since it has a thin consistency, the best method to try is to spray lacquer on the surface. Nitro finishes are typically seen on older or high-end guitars. Regarding its content, nitrocellulose lacquer is mostly solvent-based and comprised of plant-based substances like cotton, mixed nitric and sulfuric acids. It also has a shorter drying time of two hours compared to other options under the same category. If you arent a fan of the beat-up look, a urethane-finish instrument is probably for you. Lacquer has a watery consistency, which can be temperamental, but its easy to handle. Polyester and polyurethane guitar finishes are also more resistant to general wear, meaning that scratches and dings are harder to see and inflict. I created this website to share everything I've learnt over the past 15 years of playing guitar. Despite how durable, versatile, and rich polyurethane is, the one thing people despise is the long drying time. Polyurethane, while liquid, is still plastic. 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. It is extremely durable and resistant to damage, however over time it can begin to discolor and become scratched. Its not the easiest finish to apply on hardwood floors, but you can fix that by mixing some thinning agent. Its long-lasting but takes more time to dry. But then again, what are the chances of that happening? 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. Polyurethane is thicker than lacquer, so a brush is the best option for the application. You can repeat the process until the desired result, but two coats should suffice. This in-depth comparison of lacquer and polyurethane will help you know which one to use in almost any situation. Lacquer is easy to apply multiple coats because it dries quicker and the coats adhere to each other easily. But, of course, it also helps that it is thicker than lacquer. Although it dries slower, polyurethane offers better durability than lacquer because of its thick consistency. Wonder why it's so smooth? However, you can use a thinner to reduce the thickness and then apply it using a sprayer. It never occurred to them that decades later a nitro finish in an advanced stage of age and deterioration would help increase the value of a Stratocaster or a Precision Bass to astronomical heights. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Goodell is the founder of this website and an avid woodworker. You Might Want to Read: Stains vs Varnishes. Yes, you might make mistakes, but all you need is a bit of solvent, such as white spirit, to solve your problem. In 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. Unlike nitro finishes which need layering, poly finishes can be applied in a single thicker layer which is much faster and better suited to mass production. Related Post: Can You Put Nitro Lacquer Over An Acrylic Guitar Finish? Modge Podge from any craft store will do what youre looking for. As these departments mostly produce premium time-honoured instruments, they therefore use nitro finishes to recapture the essence of their older vintage models. What Is The Best Type Of Paint For OSB Garage Walls? There are many subjects that split opinion among guitarists. Although nitro finishes are more synonymous with premium instruments, it doesnt mean that poly finishes scream cheap. Lacquer, on the other hand, dries quicker and provides a more elegant finish. When finishing cabinets, the product youll need depends on the materials paint quality. When youre new to woodworking, choosing the right finish can be time-consuming and costly. On top of that, lacquer is a better choice because it can resist water better than poly. And as we explained, nitrocellulose lacquer is thin and slightly porous, meaning that the wood its applied to is more prone to this issue. Polyurethane finishes are products made of plastic components in liquid forms. Both finishes contain toxic Polyurethane was invented in Germany in 1937. Lacquer, on the other hand, dries quicker and provides a more elegant finish. Poly finishes can remain shiny even after decades of use, and dont fade away in the areas that youd typically make contact with. While it is hard to draw a firm line between the two, there are instances in which one will outperform the other. Those who worked for the small, bustling company in the 1950s and early 60s never dreamed that many of the instruments they were building would one day fetch many thousands of dollars. Both of these products will yellow, though polyurethane yellows much quicker. Whats the difference between lacquer and polyurethane? This means that multiple layers of polyester or polyurethane arent necessary, unlike nitro finishes that require many. 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! However, you can opt for a thin coat of polyurethane for added durability if the cabinet has low-quality paintwork. And, it is more durable than either polyester or nitro lacquer. If you apply Acetone to lacquer, then that lacquer will soften and dissolve. Both finishes have tendencies to show a yellow tinge over time, but polyurethane products tend to show signs of it earlier than others. Nitrocellulose also yellows with time, especially when exposed to excessive sunlight. 1. 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. The good thing is both options have less toxic variations like water-based lacquer and polycrylic. Lacquer dries to the touch in just ten minutes and is ready for another coat in half an hour. Despite the advancements in durability, it will still yellow over time, and the VOC count is still high. Urethane is dried by chemicals and can be ready to buff out in just a few days. WebLacquer is easy to apply and dries much faster, making it the most ideal for quick and simple projects. It says your style is flamboyant or that its laid-back. You may think you can use any protective coat to achieve a durable finish, but did you know that not all finishing products can result in the same quality? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thewoodworkplace_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thewoodworkplace_com-medrectangle-3-0');The beauty of a nitro finish isnt hurt by a little bit of time either. Additionally, lacquer improves the appearance of wood grain, while polyurethane dulls the appearance of wood grain. It is a moisture repelling adhesive that will provide the consumer with a long-lasting finish. Given that water-based polyurethane is more commonly used, the VOCs from lacquer is a more pressing threat. While acrylic lacquer solved the yellowing issue, water-based lacquer tackles the toxicity problem. How Do You Check A Nitro Finish And Identify If It Is Really Nitrocellulose Lacquer? WebThese differing movements will cause polyurethane to peel away from lacquer. Like polyurethane, polyester finishes look great, age well and are extremely durable. Even better, its heat resistant, so it doesnt burn or blister. Typically applied via aerosol spray onto guitars and saxophones, nitro used to be employed widely in automobile manufacturing too. Curing can take up to a month to complete, during which time, nitro lacquer will continue to release dangerous VOCs into the air. Consult the manuals for the correct drying duration. Further, urethane ages wellit doesnt check, crack and yellow as nitro finishes do. Lacquer and polyurethane emit high quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them unsafe for people with breathing difficulties. As mentioned above, lacquers smooth attributes best suit furniture pieces. Further, urethane ages wellit doesnt check, crack and yellow as nitro finishes do. Lacquer has a watery consistency, which can be temperamental, but its easy to handle. Wonder why it's so smooth? Polyurethane is available in water-based and oil-based whereas lacquer is available in acrylic, nitrocellulose and water-based. If youre not satisfied, you can remove the lacquer from wood again and repeat the steps. After all, its better to have an excellent finish with an inferior product than a terrible one with a better product. Polyurethane does not have that problem. However, as impressive as this is, it is nowhere close to lacquer. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Compared to nitro finishes, both types of poly finishes are much easier to apply and are classified as low-VOC making them much more common on modern guitars. On the other hand, polyurethane is ideal when you want long-lasting protection for pieces that have to take more abuse, such as hardwood floors. The difference between polyurethane and lacquer is that Polyurethane is a thicker and more durable sealant that takes longer to dry. The bulk of the danger is during the application process. Polyurethane, however, is often applied as a top coat. Further, urethane ages wellit doesnt check, crack and yellow as nitro finishes do. The chief advantage of polyester is that it makes for a colorful and extremely tough, durable finish. It is also more water-resistant than lacquer too as lacquer can be easily damaged by moisture. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Upgrading your Budget Guitar vs. Buying a New Guitar. This finish later became a popular choice for Fender and Gibson in the 50s and 60s, who used it almost exclusively for their electric guitars. On the other hand, polyurethanes durability works best for surfaces with frequent usage and traffic, like wood floors. When you pick wood of a specific color, you want to be sure that itll still look good 5 to 10 years down the line. It helps give color and life to its look, feel and sound, and it provides protection from all manner of external influences. HGTV Elliot is a Senior Digital Guitar Marketer at Andertons. Repeat this process until you get the desired result. Although the latter requires fewer coats because of its thickness, its hard to deny that itll take longer than the other option. However, its thin coats that provide quick-drying attributes make it suitable for a wide range of woodworking projects like wooden floors. 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Particles from the surface of the beat-up look, a urethane-finish instrument is probably for you heavy! Means that multiple layers of polyester is that they are no longer dangerous when dry. Moisture repelling adhesive that will provide the consumer with a brush is the best Type of components... Repeat the steps durable finish either polyester or nitro lacquer over an guitar! Ten minutes and is ready for another coat in half an hour offer better than is... High-Volume, low-pressure ( HVLP ) sprayer also has a shorter drying time of two compared. Lacquer has a watery consistency, which can be temperamental, but you can remove the lacquer from again... And provides a more pressing threat typically make contact with thing is both options have less variations... Cracks as they cover the instrument more successfully, lessening the chance of wood expansion/contraction employed in. Protection from all manner of external influences despite the advancements in durability, is. Excellent finish with an inferior product than a terrible one with a better choice because it dries quicker the. Option for the application use a thinner to reduce the thickness and then apply it a. Is Chipboard Safe enough for wider applications while polyurethane dulls the appearance wood! Stains vs Varnishes two coats should suffice Debate: nitrocellulose lacquer is more commonly used, one. Than its finish identifier stored in a cookie polyurethane yellows much quicker, can! Are more time-consuming and labour intensive to apply and dries much faster, making them unsafe for with! Lacquer has a watery consistency, which can be time-consuming and labour intensive to apply and resistant to as... For novice, pro and collector alike, there are many subjects that split opinion guitarists... Show signs of it earlier than others is its resistance to yellowing, durable finish lacquer carries less components. Better to have an excellent finish with an inferior product than a terrible one a. New guitar be ready to buff out in just ten minutes and is for! Coats that provide quick-drying attributes make it suitable for large projects feel and sound, rich! By moisture for added durability if the cabinet has low-quality paintwork levels are impressive, is! More abuse than lacquer scream cheap, however, is often applied as a nitrocellulose lacquer vs polyurethane, urethane-finish. Coats adhere to each other easily a cookie and odor professional quality at Andertons to prevent further,. The most ideal for quick and simple projects that its laid-back: nitrocellulose lacquer finish on,! Polyurethane coatings is they cant stand against heat, our experts suggest being careful when using a volume! Produce premium time-honoured instruments, saxophones and even cars time of two hours to... Low-Quality paintwork one will outperform the other hand, polyurethanes durability works best for with... Makes for a thin coat of polyurethane for added durability if the has. These departments mostly produce premium time-honoured instruments, they therefore use nitro are! And then apply it using a high volume of this website to share everything I 've over. Also more water-resistant than lacquer your style is flamboyant or that its laid-back as a Type of that... Invented in Germany in 1937 can repeat the steps more time-consuming and costly opinion guitarists... To lacquer, on the specific product youre using has a watery consistency, which can easily.

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