How to choose acrylic lacquer on a water basis: tips and feedback

Varnishes perform a protective function in the finishing works, keep the surface covered from a variety of factors: abrasion, mechanical damage, fading and so on. In addition, with their help the texture of the material appears brighter, the depth and brightness of the colors appear. Varnishes are produced for a variety of purposes, but acrylic lacquer on a water basis is gaining popularity . It is considered environmentally safe and harmless enough that it can be used when decorating a children's room. Like any material, it has positive and negative sides, which must be taken into account when choosing.

What is acrylic lacquer

The basis for the production of varnish is acrylic acid from a number of carboxylic acids. In its original form, it is a transparent liquid without color, with a sharp chemical smell. It dissolves in water, ethanol, diethyl ether. First obtained acrylic lacquer in Mexico in 1950, it quickly became popular in the US and Europe due to its unique qualities and safety.

Acrylic lacquer on a water basis is an opaque milky white liquid with a uniform composition. The basis for production is aqueous dispersions of acrylic resins, additives are added as stabilizers to help preserve the structure, as well as imparting additional properties to the varnish. Upon drying, the surface treated with the composition is coated with a stable transparent film with a high decorative effect.

Qualities

Acrylic lacquer on a water base is used for finishing almost any skimmed surface.

Positive properties:

• Odorless and toxic.
• Quickly dries. Drying speed is 30-120 minutes, but a strong polymerized film is formed one week after application.
• Colorless lacquer. Does not yell the surface, which means a pure color transfer.
• Performs the role of antiseptic.
• Deep penetrates the surface.
• It is fireproof.
• Resistant to ultraviolet radiation (does not change its color, preserves the palette of the sheltered surface, does not collapse under the action of direct sunlight).
• Resistant to temperature fluctuations.
• Available. Large selection of varnish types in any construction shop.

Disadvantages:

• To obtain a stable effect, it is necessary to strictly observe the application conditions: air temperature is not lower than +5 ° С and not higher than +30 ° С, the temperature of the varnish is not less than +15 ° С. It also requires the absence of drafts, direct sunlight.
• Storage conditions must be observed: a large percentage of water in the composition of the material, it freezes at minus temperature, and the varnish becomes unsuitable for use.
• High price. Finnish lacquers of the company Tikkurila have proved themselves well. The approximate price is about 500-900 rubles. For 0.9 liters, this is the average price category.

Capabilities

For the finishing of rooms or surfaces exposed to atmospheric influences, different types of coating material are used. "Tikkurila" varnish on a water basis is produced in a large assortment, differs in scope and additional possibilities. For example, some varnishes of this manufacturer are toned, which gives a shade, but does not stain the material in a dense color.

Toning can be done on your own, which is convenient for covering small decorative objects, or in a store, on a special apparatus where you will select the appropriate degree of intensity of the shade and mix it with the entire mass of the chosen varnish.

Kinds

Acrylic varnishes on a water basis are divided into single-component and two-component varnishes:

• One-component acrylic lacquer creates an elastic protective film, has a low abrasion resistance, but well retains the surfaces from fading. The positive quality is its high air-permeability (the tree covered with this type of protection "breathes", which is important for products made of this material), it keeps the surface well from dust and minor mechanical damage. Poorly resistant to wet conditions. Similar qualities make one-component composition popular among masters of decorative applied art.
• Two-component akvalak contains in its composition additional substances that increase the stability of the coating in natural conditions of operation. From the feedback of consumers using acrylic water lacquers for outdoor work, it follows that in the conditions of low air temperature (from -25 ° C and lower), the varnish coating is cracked, and restoration is required in the summer. Also, many have noted the poor stability of aqueous acrylic protection in wet weather conditions: the varnish becomes turbid, bubbles may appear, lagging behind the base.

Almost all users agree that acrylic lacquers based on water are ideal for indoor use, demonstrate excellent protective properties for handicrafts.

Decorative qualities

According to the decorative effect, acrylic varnish on a water basis can also be divided into groups:

• Matt. The coated surface is devoid of gloss, it feels as silky, velvety, with a dense film. If there is any drawing under the varnish, then it will not undergo any changes. It hides small surface irregularities.
• Semi-finished. Has a pronounced shine, flicker. It shows well the texture of the material to be covered. Surface irregularities will become more noticeable.
• Acrylic glossy varnish on a water basis. Gives the product a bright shine, depth. It shows all the disadvantages of processing the material to be coated.

Lacquer "Tikkurila" is available in all three versions and has high decorative qualities and resistance to all types of damage. Comments are advised to choose a decorative coating according to the place where the product will be used. A coating suitable for indoor use will not react well to atmospheric precipitation or strong sunlight. One season will be enough for the varnish to cure. When buying a varnish, carefully study the instructions for use.

Compatibility

Acrylic water-based varnish for wood requires a thorough grinding of the surface before applying a protective coating. To obtain a good covering effect, wood should be primed with a water-based agent. This will close the pores in its structure and reduce the consumption of lacquer. Coating with a water primer and water-based varnish guarantees a long life for the product.

Masters of woodworking advise not to mix materials of different syntheses, that is, it is necessary to use a primer and varnish produced on the basis of a single solvent of resins. Lacquer water parquet does not get along well with other types of varnishes and paints, in this case, bubbles, turbidity, rejection and other troubles may appear on the surface.

Scope of application

Acrylic lacquer on a water basis for wood is produced for products for various purposes. Most experts agree that this kind of varnish is not intended for a high operational load. Wooden furniture, wall cladding, solid wood doors, stairs, chairs and other products made of natural material, covered with water-based acrylic lacquer, retain their aesthetic qualities for many years. Wood in this case remains without structural and integral changes. But the floor can be covered with this compound in places where there is not much cross-country traffic. It is great for bedrooms, children's rooms, but for corridors and hallways is of little use.

To work with different surfaces use a coating that does not just preserve the finish, but also emphasizes the advantages of the material used. So, acrylic matte water-based lacquer, applied to wallpaper or brickwork, will not change the perception and texture of the material, but will preserve the integrity of the repair for many years. The absence of phenols, formaldehydes and other volatile compounds in the protective coating allows it to be used in any conditions: in the kitchen, in the nursery, dining room and so on.

Features of application

Finishing of the surfaces before coating should be carried out very carefully. Negligence in polishing, grinding, drying will cause irreparable harm, everything will have to be changed almost from the very beginning. Acrylic lacquer on a water-based basis for wood is applied to a dry polished surface. Experts advise to apply one layer and give it a day to dry, although the instructions to apply the next layer can be in the range of 30 to 120 minutes.

The experience of the masters also shows that with decorative works it is worth making several layers of varnish with intermediate drying and polishing each layer, except the upper one. Grinding of the penultimate layer is preferable to do on a wet surface: moisten and sandpaper fine grain, then dry, clean from contamination and apply the last layer of varnish. It is also important what type of coating is used. Glossy, colorless varnish after each application must be sanded (except for the top layer): the adhesion of the glossy layers is extremely unreliable. Facilitates the use of matte varnish in combination with glossy.

Varnish water parquet is applied to the surface primed with a water composition. In this case, it falls more evenly and the material consumption is reduced considerably. Use for coating parquet is better two-component water composition, it is more stable in operation. If desired, the coating material can be toned, which will give a shade of wood surface. Use only acrylic varnishes intended for high loads, for example from Tikkurila (the price is indicated above).

Instruments

For the application of acrylic varnishes, brushes and rollers are used. For safety, it is worth working with gloves. Tools are washed with warm water, the masters give advice when washing brushes and rollers to use simple soap or kitchen detergent compositions intended for washing fatty utensils.