Polyurethane vs Varnish vs Lacquer

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  • Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
  • Polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer are popular wood finishes. We walk you through each product, and how to choose which finisher is best for your woodworking project.
    *FREE E-BOOK: How to Select the Right Wood Finisher sawshub.com/wo...
    Download Now*
    How to Use Polyurethane: sawshub.com/ho...
    How to Use Lacquer: sawshub.com/ho...
    Polyurethane vs Lacquer: sawshub.com/po...
    Polyurethane vs Polycrylic: sawshub.com/po...
    Learn more about the SawsHub team here: sawshub.com/ab...
    Related Videos and Tutorials:
    Lacquer vs Shellac vs Varnish: • Lacquer vs Shellac vs ...
    Polyurethane vs Lacquer: • Polyurethane vs Lacque...
    Polyurethane vs Polycrylic: • Polyurethane vs Polyac...
    Polycrylic vs Lacquer: • Polycrylic vs Lacquer:...
    Lacquer vs Shellac: • Lacquer vs Shellac: Be...
    Polyurethane vs Lacquer vs Shellac: • Polyurethane vs Lacque...
    Lacquer is widely known for its ease of application and short drying time. It’s the most used wood finish commercially. Its primary component is the resin of varnish trees. After harvesting and refining, the resin is mixed with thinner to create lacquer.
    Lacquer:
    * It’s compatible with various solvents.
    * It doesn’t show yellowing over time.
    * It’s relatively affordable.
    * It looks sleek after application.
    * It has low resistance to chemicals.
    * You have to apply it again year after year.
    * If it gets contaminated, defects will appear on the wood.
    * If the room’s temperature is too warm, bubbles will appear.
    * It’s harmful to the environment.
    Polyurethane is a​ sealant that provides exceptional durability on wood surfaces, and is available as both a water-based sealant and an oil-based sealant. Polyurethane is very durable - some label it as “liquid plastic” while its still in the tub, because when it dries it will turn as hard as plastic.
    Polyurethane:
    * Water-based or oil-based
    ​* Slow drying
    ​* Matte, satin, glossy, and high gloss finish
    ​* Very strong sealant
    * Provides a shiny look when dry
    Varnish is a clear protective finish. Varnish has little to no color and is primarily used in wood finishing applications where the final product will be in harsh conditions, such as sun or water. It can be applied over wood stains as well.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 68

  • @dominicdiclemente8877
    @dominicdiclemente8877 3 роки тому +5

    Ah ! I just finished reading the wood finishing book and found it very informative. Great vid to sum it up for people who don't want to read the book.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @Hajjat
    @Hajjat 2 роки тому +2

    Best informative video on wood finishes! Checking these out in Home Depot gave me anxiety, but not any more!

  • @elihernandez330
    @elihernandez330 3 роки тому +3

    Also great video and channel, thought it said 249k subs and believed it not 2.49k. channels like these needs more subscribers.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому +1

      Haha, no where near 249k! That would be nice though :)

  • @mksupercooking
    @mksupercooking Рік тому +2

    I have a mango wood table which has been finished with a flat lacquer. If i want to keep it outside, can i use spar varnish over it to protect against UV, termites, mold, or is there another method which might work? Thanks for any tips.

    • @DavidfromMichigan
      @DavidfromMichigan 4 місяці тому

      I know it's probably a little late but yeah, any oil based or water based finish can go over lacquer, as long add the lacquer has dried completely. (12-24 hours)

  • @tams1867
    @tams1867 5 місяців тому

    Ok…if I’ve already put 3 coats of beautiful lacquer on but want to switch to varnish, can I put the varnish on over top lacquer or do I have to strip it right down and start over? I hope it’s the first answer.

  • @C69hJc4
    @C69hJc4 3 місяці тому

    I have an unfinished magnolia wood handle on a Japanese chef knife. I would like to seal it, so I don’t have to constantly oil it. What type of varnish/lacquer would you recommend?

  • @RovexHD
    @RovexHD 4 місяці тому

    For a cigar humidor, which would you chose ?

  • @timholstpetersen79
    @timholstpetersen79 11 місяців тому +1

    Hi. THANKS for a great video.
    This is a jungle ;-)
    One question: Can you use polyurethane on top of e.g. Danish Oil or some other oil product like Osmo oils?

  • @que_dijo
    @que_dijo 4 роки тому +3

    quite thoroughly explanation about this type of wood finishes. Thank you!

  • @chickadddee
    @chickadddee 8 місяців тому

    Great! What is shellac then, and how does it compare? What do we use on antique furniture made with mahogany veneer, and do we wax all wood furniture once in a while to maintain the finish? I'm still a bit confused. My parents' antiques get waxed but the finish is shiny.

  • @farah2869
    @farah2869 2 роки тому +1

    Hi, thank you for this video. Very useful. I started a dining table project and I’m in the process of finishing it. I’ve put three coats of Ronseal interior varnish but I realised I should have used polyurethane. Can I put polyurethane on top of varnish? Will it ruin the table?

  • @jacobg.341
    @jacobg.341 3 місяці тому +1

    Great job explaining.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 місяці тому

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @hippo-potamus
    @hippo-potamus 3 роки тому +2

    I recently finished a project using Minwax polyurethane which I diluted to a whip on consistency using mineral spirits. I did 6 coats waiting 24 hours in between coats, yet 3 weeks later my project is still giving off the polyurethane chemical smell, which gives me headaches and absolutely aggravates me to no end. Why is this happening? and is there an alternative finish (not lacquer) that does not have this incredibly long life off gassing? Thanks

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому +2

      6 coats = lots of off gassing. Also, you added mineral spirits, which only adds to the chemicals. Be patient! You'll have a solid finish once its ready!

  • @Brandon-no3vc
    @Brandon-no3vc 2 роки тому

    So what would you use for a deck seems like youd want varnish for uv protetion but urathane cause its more durable

  • @matthewdonohue7745
    @matthewdonohue7745 4 роки тому +4

    Very helpful, thank you!

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  4 роки тому

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @twokool4skool129
    @twokool4skool129 Рік тому

    How would you identify a varnish finish vs a poly finish?

  • @StoriedFurnitureCo
    @StoriedFurnitureCo 4 місяці тому +1

    Very helpful thank you!

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 місяці тому

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @elihernandez330
    @elihernandez330 3 роки тому +1

    i was wondering what would be the best to protect painted metal (oil based enamel paint) that will be outdoors. i believe exterior urethane like an oil based spar urethane is the best for that but I'm not too sure. Been reading that lacquer may damage the paint and not adhere well.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому +1

      Spar varnish comes to mind as a very good option

  • @Ladioz
    @Ladioz Рік тому

    What is my can is called Polyurethane Varnish???

  • @debrabelton3161
    @debrabelton3161 Рік тому

    This is exactly the information I needed!

  • @trishaminela9959
    @trishaminela9959 3 роки тому +1

    Really simple and informative! Thanks!

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @vinnmartin
    @vinnmartin 2 роки тому

    Can i use varnish to polished zinc alloy? Can it protect from corrosion?

  • @Ladybugg1677
    @Ladybugg1677 Рік тому +1

    Thank you!!!

  • @assortedvendor5168
    @assortedvendor5168 3 роки тому +1

    Clear Coat Polyurethane is what I use for my Framing Hammers, Forging Hammer, Hatchets and Felling Axe Handles. after I stained them with a Gunstock Finish, I let them dry for 2 days, yeah I love Gunstock Finish Stain and then I coat them with Clear Gloss Polyurethane. Especially Oil based Polyurethane the one that I got from Home Depot is Highly Durable and Highly Scratch Resistant. I applies only 2 coating of Clear Gloss Polyurethane after the stain. For Furnitures??? (Yeah I builds them too!) I use Water based Stain, or oil based and Shellac for Clear Gloss Coating But sometimes I only use Natural Boiled Linseed Oil. For High End Furnitures or Countertops I use Epoxy.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Thank you for sharing

  • @johnmcglynn4102
    @johnmcglynn4102 2 роки тому

    Thank you. Where does Shellac fit into the picture? And why use it? Everyone seems to, but I don't understand why except perhaps when some sort of coloring is going to go over it. Can you apply any of the three finishes you mention on top of shellac?

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  2 роки тому

      Search our channel for shellac, we cover that in depth on several videos.

  • @karansingh7473
    @karansingh7473 3 роки тому +3

    Very informative. Thank you. :)
    I have a question though. I have been trying to varnish over stained rosewood. But it turns to a darker shade when I do that. Any tips or alternatives for varnish that I can use to keep the stain colour intact.
    In this case, aqua blue is turning to dark aqua green after a coat of varnish.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому +3

      Use water based - it shouldn't alter the color much (if at all).

  • @monabalgobin
    @monabalgobin Рік тому

    So informative, thank you

  • @mikemaman1
    @mikemaman1 4 роки тому

    I got water base lacquerer. it doesn't smell , so not all of them toxic

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      There really isn't any water-based lacquer. Essentially, its polycrylic.

    • @mikemaman1
      @mikemaman1 3 роки тому

      @@SawsHub "Ingredients of water based laquer are alkyd, acrylic and/or vinyl acrylic polymers. These microscopic plastic particles are dissolved in water. Water based laquers have many advantages over oil based laquers". So this is not correct?

  • @djtaz369
    @djtaz369 3 роки тому +1

    Can the vanish use on MDF WOOD?

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Yes.
      Be wary it will take a LOT of varnish though

  • @ThePetejames
    @ThePetejames Рік тому

    thanks for the tips

  • @deetle1924
    @deetle1924 3 роки тому

    What about catalyzed lacquer , conversion varnish ?

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Not sure the question?

  • @0h0h0h0
    @0h0h0h0 6 місяців тому

    Yeehoo Im the 1000th like, and you deserve much more. Super informative, thanks a lot for the clarifications!!

  • @matoflynn
    @matoflynn 2 роки тому

    So well explained. Subscribed and now going to be able to chat with my Dad :)

  • @JunaidSalehHayat
    @JunaidSalehHayat Рік тому

    Thanks a lot!

  • @davidjohncox7333
    @davidjohncox7333 3 роки тому +1

    A really fine delivery, very flowing. Great HD quality. Nice speaking voice. I used SPAR varnish on a cedar cabinet project in woodshop class in High School. What would you use to cover bamboo fencing material: varnish or polyurethane?
    The only thing that struck me funny (um, your wife must not have caught you), is your very wrinkled maroon polo shirt in the final segment! :-0.

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Thanks for the tips! And no, I don't iron my shirts to do woodworking :)

  • @joseaquino4895
    @joseaquino4895 3 роки тому

    Hi sir may i ask a question i use polyurethane varnish before then my client he change mind he like to put locker varnish now its that ok?

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      If I understand your question correctly, it should be fine, provided they are the same base (oil vs water)

  • @stephenwarren55
    @stephenwarren55 3 роки тому +1

    Excellent.

  • @somdov
    @somdov Рік тому

    Great video

  • @207HappyToBeHere
    @207HappyToBeHere Рік тому

    Thank you for the info! I'm building my own computer desk. What type of protectant would you recommend for that?
    Based on your video, I'd guess an oil varnish. Should I apply multiple coats?

  • @rebeccalankford8573
    @rebeccalankford8573 3 роки тому

    Can you use marine varnish and top it with a couple of coats of polyethylene?
    Have you ever cut polyethylene and lacquer together?
    Can you use these products over jung oil or bees wax?

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Yes: Can you use marine varnish and top it with a couple of coats of polyethylene?
      No: Have you ever cut polyethylene and lacquer together?
      I haven't tried but polyurethane and varnish would probably work. Can you use these products over jung oil or bees wax?

  • @RELUvance
    @RELUvance 3 роки тому

    Very helpful - thanks! I see a product in the store called "Spar-Urethane"... I assume this is the same as a spar varnish?

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Virtually the same, except spar urethane takes longer to set than spar varnish by a bit

  • @leezhiyuan4461
    @leezhiyuan4461 3 роки тому

    0:26 damn, procrastination is real huh. Really aged a bit there while finishing this video

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому

      Haha too funny

  • @tmoney34
    @tmoney34 3 роки тому +1

    dude, you aged so fast!

    • @SawsHub
      @SawsHub  3 роки тому +1

      Father Son Duo :)