I am considering using lacquer for my next project. I don’t have spray equipment so I will need to apply it with a brush. I want to use a water based lacquer for health and environmental reasons. My plan is to use Enduro Water Based Lacquer with an extender to slow the drying time and give me more time to work with it when brushing it on. Does anyone have any experience with brushing on water based lacquers? Does this plan sound workable? What would you recommend to apply it, a brush or a foam brush? Should it be applied with heavy coats or thin coats? I have read various opinions about this. Some suggest flowing on a heavy coat to minimize brush strokes others say apply thin coats. Are there any other brands of water based lacquer that may work better? I want something with clarity and that will rub out well to a satin sheen. Any other suggestions? Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond.
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
Water Based Lacquer
I just went through this lacquer problem. I wanted to finish an end table top in lacquer. What I found out, if I undersood all that everyone told me. First is that water based lacquer does not melt the previous layer like solvent lacquer so when you try to sand and rub it out if you go through the final coat you may/will get a white ring around the spot where you went through. Water based lacquer is softer that lacquer. This will make it harder to get the finish you are looking for when rubbed or sanded. You can't polish the fine scratches out. Water based lacquer is almost like poly. Give it a try on some test boards. I decided to use CAB acrylic from Sherwin Williams. Spraying was a mess but they look great. Let us know how it works out.
Finishing
Joseph
Health concerns first - yes go with what you believe is safer.
However a thin coat of shellac and two coats of wipe on varnish would do a better job. Since you are brushing anyway - these products are easier to work with in my opinion. Work with window open (this time of year no problem) a fan - and mask.
SA
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled