The two primary types of Lacquers are shellac and lacquer; they are composed of a solvent and a resin, and simply rely on the solvent to evaporate, leaving the resin behind. Because they rely on evaporation, they tend to be very fast-drying and build up a film to sit on top of the wood. Unlike Varnishes each layer tends to melt the previous layer forming a complete bond. They are not as tough as a Varnish.
Shellac
This finish is actually a natural product, it's made from combining a secretion from the female lac bug with a solvent such as alcohol.
- Toxicity: low odor and low toxicity.
- Look: It has an amber hew even the clear version and will enhance the natural look of wood. Also comes in different hews.
- Cons: It doesn't hold up to abrasion, heat, water and chemicals. It is not very forgiving in application process.
- Pros: Dries fast, each subsequent coat melts the previous coat into one coat. Easy to repair scratches and damage in things already shellac'd. Can pretty much go over anything. Dewaxed variety is pretty much the best primer you can use and will soak into the top layers of wood and strengthen the fibers.
- Uses: Things that won't get beat up a lot, Old furniture
Water-based Lacquer
Same as Modern Lacquer, introduced in the 1950's and uses water as part of the formula. This one is alkyd as the resin and is similar to Modern Lacquer.
- Toxicity: Toxicity: Medium odor and Medium toxicity.
- Look: Many types of appearances, CAB type does not have yellow tint
- Cons: Short drying time (usually sprayed), Mild abrasion, heat, water resistance. Over time it can begin to discolor (unless CAB). Highly susceptible to ultra-violet light, highly reactive to other fresh finishes such as quick dry primer (excluding waterborne lacquer primers), caulking and even some paints that have a paint /primer aspect. Tannin bleed-through can also be an issue.
- Pros: Tolerates temperature and humidity changes. Fast drying time
- Uses: DIY Market developed because it was less toxic.
Modern Lacquer
Same as Traditional Lacquer, introduced in the 1930's and is derived from the artificial resin called nitrocellulose, which (along with some other ingredients) allows one thin coat of lacquer to dissolve somewhat with a previous coat.
- Toxicity: Toxicity: High odor and High toxicity.
- Look: Many types of appearances, CAB type does not have yellow tint
- Cons: Short drying time (usually sprayed), Mild abrasion, heat, water resistance. Over time it can begin to discolor (unless CAB). Highly susceptible to ultra-violet light
- Pros: Tolerates temperature and humidity changes. Fast drying time
- Uses: Manufactured furniture
Traditional Lacquer
Lacquer was introduced in the 1920’s and is derived from the resin of a specific tree commonly referred to as a varnish tree. They use volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the solvents.
- Toxicity: Toxicity: High odor and High toxicity.
- Look: Many types of appearances, CAB type does not have yellow tint
- Cons: Short drying time (usually sprayed), Mild abrasion, heat, water resistance. Over time it can begin to discolor (unless CAB).
- Pros: Tolerates temperature and humidity changes. Fast drying time
- Uses: Old furniture and Manufactured furniture