Shellac is a clear gloss finish that comes from the secretion of an insect and is mixed with alcohol. Despite having so many similarities, these products are recommended not to be used interchangeably. The ideal test would have been to apply another coat of shellac over the stain once it had dried. Posted by 1 year ago. However, if they want to use water-based polyurethane, the answer is no. Oil-based is the most hardy and has a slight amber hue, while water-based has less odor and a crystal clear finish. Polyurethane vs. Varnish vs. Shellac: Did You Pick the Right Finish? What Is Polyurethane? You can choose from polyurethane, lacquer, shellac, or even varnish. Polyurethane is like a liquid plastic, often either a pure synthetic plastic or a blend with resin. Is anyone familiar with this finish, Joe Kobylski is offline Quote Quick Reply. One of the essential stages of woodworking is applying a finish to the wood. Since shellac naturally contains a small amount of wax, it is necessary to de-wax the shellac if coating it with a varnish. Shellac vs Varnish • Varnish is of plant origin, whereas shellac is of animal origin. Shellac refined for industrial purposes either retains its natural wax content or is refined wax-free by filtration. Some use wood finishes to protect their furniture while others use them just to make their furniture look more appealing. Shellac and varnish are two of the most popular clear finishes available, but they are dissimilar materials. Shellac isn't known as being a durable finish. (Drying time: 30 mins) Polyurethane: A synthetic finish made from plastic resin and available in water- or oil-based forms. Polyurethane is a synthetic finish that is the most commonly used now. Remove Advertisements. Is there a reason beyond "that … There is a reason most professional floor finishers are still using polyurethanes, either oil or water based. • Shellac is obtained by mixing the resin obtained from the secretions of certain insects that are found in Southeast Asia. This is also a common finishing used for things that are submerged in water like boats because of its resistance to water. Archived. Sponsored Links WoodWorkingTalk.com. Shellac vs lacquer vs polyurethane?! In order to help you distinguish the differences between each one, this article discusses some of these finishes: shellac vs. polyurethane and varnish vs. lacquer. If you’re looking for a more natural appearance with a low odor, going with a water-based poly is the right decision. There is little reason to use lacquer or shellac because of this invention. So it may not be the best choice for furniture that will be cleaned a lot, or have a lot of surface use, like a table or bookcase. Shellac: This finish is virtually a natural product that creates a lustrous, mid-gloss sheen with a golden tint. ... Shellac. I'm new to woodworking and I'm curious which one I should be leaning towards for making things like country shelves, cabinets, and things to hang on the wall, or some small furniture items like tables or benches, chests, and that sort of thing. 5 Shares. The Differences Between Shellac & Varnish. Advertisement . As with shellac, water-based polyurethane won’t hold up well to heat and chemicals. So from what can tell, most people use shellac on the interiors. Share 4. We all know that furniture has to be protected especially wooden ones and if you leave it outdoors to stay all the time. Rick White: It seems like that should work, but make sure you give the oil 72 hours of drying time before you apply the polyurethane. Water-based finish goes by many names that may include the words "lacquer" or "polyurethane," but most use acrylic or acrylic/polyurethane resins in solvent and water. It is processed and sold as dry flakes (pictured) and dissolved in alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish.Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odour-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. If you want a rich color without having to reapply coats, an oil-based poly is your best bet. Guest. Then three things happened that almost totally ended shellac being thought of as a complete finish: Oil-based polyurethane became available. Shellac happens to stick to just about anything. In its practical applications on guitars, polyurethane has to be shot in a thicker coat and can’t be shot in layers because the polyurethane doesn’t melt together. Even the most skillfully-executed … The only thing that may cause one to raise an eyebrow here is that the stain was applied over the shellac and then the polyurethane was applied over the stain. Oil-based polyurethane is fully compatible with other oil- based finishes. When it comes to polyurethane, you have two choices. Polyurethane vs Urethane vs Shellac You may also think of polyurethane as urethane , but they are actually two different components. I am cosidering using shellac instead of poly . The "SealCoat" shellac another poster mentioned is from Zinsser, not Behlens. Tweet. Water-based polyurethane is the most popular because it contains low odor and a small number of toxins. Pin 1. Guest. Orange shellac is bleached with sodium hypochlorite solution to form white shellac and also is produced in wax-containing and wax-free form. All in all I think that this will sever the purpose. Though not as durable as polyurethane or varnish, shellac proves much easier to repair. As with shellac, the water-based polyurethane does not hold up well to heat plus chemicals. Minwax Polycrylic is an example of a fortified water-based polyurethane than can stand up a bit better to rough conditions. Poly works fine over shellac, either waxed or de-waxed. September 19, 2011 Shellac vs Polyurethane Dave Wood finishing, as its name suggests, is the last step in the process of repairing and refinishing furniture. Lacquer, Varnish, Shellac, Conversion Varnish, and Polyurethane all serve to protect a wood product from water, heat, and other spills. You might be scratching your head here, trying to figure out whether polyurethane is the right choice for your tabletop finish, especially with options like varnish and shellac available, as … Shellac vs Polyurethane - Wood Finish Comparison. Oil-based polyurethane has a slight amber or yellowish tint and can yellow even more over time, which adds a bit of rich, warm, amber color to the floors if that’s your goal. Spar Urethane vs Polyurethane: Difference – Pros – Cons. Shellac: A natural finish derived from the lac bug, it imparts a warm tone and adds depth to grain. Shellac is what is used for French polishing which is basically applying lots of very thin coats of shellac. Water-based polyurethanes dry much faster. What is Shellac? 1. It is not as durable as polyurethane or varnish but it does look great, however it can appear slightly dull and cloudy with age. Lacquer Lacquer is a thin liquid varnish usually applied by spraying. Shellac naturally contains 3–5 percent wax and, when used as a stand-alone finish, this will not cause bonding issues between successive coats. (Drying time: 2 hours for water-based and 6 hours for oil-based) When you look at urethane vs polyurethane , you will notice that urethane can be molded into different shapes while polyurethane is only … Following is a basic description of Shellac, Lacquer and Polyurethane Finishes and differences between them, take a look. So, we weigh up the pros and cons of each of them before deciding on the best sealing product for wood, overall. Understanding the differences between lacquer vs. polyurethane durability can help you to make a wise choice when it comes to finishing your latest project. It goes on and dries clear without adding a slight color, unlike the oil-based versions. Blog Marcus Gatley. Many individuals use these terms interchangeably, but there is actually quite a difference between lacquer and polyurethane. Senior Member . Shellac vs lacquer vs polyurethane?! Shellac vs. Polyurethane Shellac vs. Polyurethane . By eliminating oil, and using acrylic and other clear resins, water-based finishes don't yellow as they age. ... Shellac is an amazing base coat for lots of finishes. Shellac (/ʃəˈlæk/) is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. jerry. Polyurethane. Post Aug 29, 2009 #1 2009-08-30T05:26. • Varnish has been in use since much older times than shellac as it was known to ancient Egyptians. However, shellac doesn’t have near to protective qualities or strengths that a good varnish and polyurethane offer. Shellac continued to be used by painters and floor finishers working inside buildings and by amateurs until the 1960s. You may be refinishing them in a year or so, maybe less depending on traffic. post #2 of 6 Old 01-30-2009, 04:03 PM. All shellac products produce a gloss sheen. A quick guide to wood finishes - what to use, and when to use them. Polyurethane. It’s good for bookcases, desks, side tables and picture frames — anything that won’t be exposed to extremes. I hope this hasn't been discussed before. What finish do you go for when finishing most of your projects, polyurethane, shellac, or lacquer?? It's basically a 2lb cut of dewaxed shellac, and very economical versus making your own from flake. Spar urethane, on the other hand, is commonly used on wood that is commonly exposed to the light, heat and sun. It’s also important to consider other finishing products though including varnish, polyurethane, and shellac. Shellac vs polyurethane. If so, I apologize. 2,267 Posts #21 • Feb 24, 2017. renraw9002 said: oh man that sucks. Polyurethane is recommended over varnish for hardwood floors. However, each type of finish has a variety of pros and cons that you should consider to better determine which may be right for your application. Polyurethane This durable product comes in a range of finishes, from matte to gloss. Close. By applying a topcoat you can have a finished wood project that lasts for a long time to come. Shellac This naturally derived finish creates a lustrous, mid-gloss sheen with a golden tint. Not hold up well to heat plus chemicals apply another coat of shellac protective qualities or that! 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