Water-based acrylic lacquer: features of choice and application

Today, many types of construction and finishing works cannot be imagined without the use of varnish. It improves the appearance of the coated materials, performs protective functions.

Manufacturers are constantly working to create new high-quality products, and their range is constantly growing. Acrylic lacquer (also called polyacrylic) has proved to be among the varied in composition and characteristics of the products, as it has many positive properties and is easy to use.

This varnish appeared and became widespread in the second half of the twentieth century. Its excellent performance and safety have contributed to the growing popularity.

Varnish is a liquid with a uniform consistency, which is completely ready for use. It can be both colorless and white-milky.The base for the varnish are acrylic resins, dissolved in water. In this dispersion solution are added substances that give the product special properties. These are stabilizers to preserve the structure, plasticizers needed for a good level of plasticity and elasticity and help to get a flat and smooth surface.

The composition of the varnish, depending on the purpose, may vary slightly:

• Sometimes a small percentage of solvents are added. They help create a protective film on the surface to be coated.
• Antiseptics are introduced into the product intended for wood. They protect the wood from damage, penetration of pests, the appearance of fungus, prolong the life of the product.
• Coloring agents can also be added, giving the coating a beautiful tint.
• Added polyurethane will increase the strength of varnish.

The list of positive properties of varnish is quite wide:

• It can be applied to almost any degreased surface.
• It dries very quickly. However, the formation of a fully frozen solid film will occur in about a week.
• It tolerates ultraviolet radiation, without changing color and without acquiring yellowness, while maintaining the color palette of the surface to be coated. Even the action of direct sunlight does not cause its destruction.
• The use of colorless varnish will allow for a long time to preserve the original color of the product, its saturation and brightness.
• Resistant to temperature extremes.
• If necessary, add shine or dullness.
• There is a huge range, any specialty store will provide a wide selection.

• Thanks to its water base, it penetrates deep into wooden surfaces, protecting them from rotting, mold, mildew and pests, adding extra strength.
• Gives water repellency.
• Not flammable.
• Protects against mechanical damage and damage.
• To obtain a certain tone on the product in the colorless composition, you can add any water-soluble paint.
• It has a high level of adhesion to the surface, due to which the surface film becomes especially strong.
• Chemically inactive, it is not affected by aggressive media.
• Does not have a strong odor.

• It is ecologically safe, as it is made of harmless elements; does not release into the environment of substances that poison the human body, and therefore can be used for decoration of premises where children are often.
• Does not cause difficulties in application.
• It is easy to care for the surface covered with acrylic lacquer - it tolerates household detergents well.
• Suitable for different types of work.
• Not subject to abrasion.
• It has high decorative qualities, shows the texture of wood.
• Economically used.

To obtain a stable coating, you must adhere to the following conditions when applying:

• ambient temperature should be above + 5 ° С and should not be heated above + 30 ° С;
• the temperature of the lacquer itself must not be lower than + 15 ° C;
• prior to use, the composition should be well stirred until a homogeneous mass is obtained, since the formation of sediment from varnish components is possible during storage;
• during the procedure should be no drafts;
• on the treated surface should not be exposed to direct sunlight;
• the surface before application must be thoroughly cleaned from dust, dirt and previous coatings;
• too low ambient temperature prolongs the drying time of varnish;
• with very dry air, drying will occur too quickly, which can lead to the appearance of defects on the surface, cause swelling of the wood fibers, which will require additional polishing and surface treatment.

Depending on the composition, one-component and two-component varnishes are distinguished:

• In one component versions binder acts only acrylic, which add stabilizers, plasticizers, antiseptics. One-component compositions are strong enough, the resulting transparent layer will effectively protect the wood from burning out, damage,mechanical damage. However, a constant wet environment will significantly shorten the life, will make the varnish less durable. Therefore, one-component compositions are more often used in decorative and applied arts than to cover floors and other surfaces exposed to significant loads.
• In two-component formulations additional binder - polyurethane. Its addition increases the elasticity and strength of the final coating, resistance to mechanical loads, which makes it suitable for covering floors in public places with a large influx of visitors.

Depending on the obtained decorative effect, the varnish can be matte, semi-gloss, glossy:

• Semi-matt gives the surface smoothness without gloss. After solidification, it has a silky texture, irregularities and defects on the surface become less noticeable.
• Glossy Varnish, acquires a bright shine. The use of a glossy composition requires an almost perfect surface, since all its flaws will appear. Often glossy varnish is treated with parquet to get a “mirror effect”.Parquet lacquer inferior matte durability.
• Semi-matt combines the advantages and disadvantages of matte and glossy compositions. It will emphasize the texture of the product, give it a dimly pronounced gloss and shimmer, but also show the flaws of the surface.

Due to its characteristics, water-based lacquers are widely used for finishing and construction work. They can be designed for different conditions, so you should carefully read the instructions for use. Acrylic lacquers are used in the repair, decoration and construction of residential buildings and apartments, garages, outbuildings, hotel complexes, catering establishments, educational institutions, any public institutions.

Most often, water-based formulations are used for wooden surfaces in interior decoration.. They can cover furniture, window frames, stairs and railings. Frequent scope of application - objects of decorative and applied art. Parquet lacquers are used not less often, manufacturers offer their very wide choice.

Since interior varnishes quickly harden, professionals do not recommend using brushes - they can leave streaks.

In large rooms, spray can be applied.. With it, the composition is applied quickly and evenly. In small rooms it is better to use rollers. - spray can stain other surfaces and it will be difficult to clean them later. For hard-to-reach places there are rollers of small sizes.

The primer will level the surface, the varnish consumption will be less, and the durability of the coating will increase. Primer, like lacquer, should be water based. Using a primer on a different basis will lead to blistering, cloudiness and other troubles.

It should be remembered that carelessness in preparing the surface for varnishing is unacceptable, since under them they will become even more noticeable, and all the work will have to be redone.

Acrylic lacquer can be used not only for wood. It is often used on tiles, for processing walls of concrete or stone. With its help, sometimes they increase the wear resistance of paper wallpaper, they are even applied to painted walls. Some compounds are suitable for metal surfaces. They play the role of anti-corrosion protection.

On the modern market today there are many worthy producers, let's stop at one of the most popular.

• Well proven products Finnish trademark "Tikkurila". The company produces several product lines for different types of work. They are characterized by high protective, leveling, decorative and antiseptic properties. "Tikkurila" produces both glossy and matte varnishes for exterior and interior works, resistant to damage of different types. "Tikkurila" is famous for the excellent quality of its goods, but these products are expensive.
• Group products are popular in the domestic market. Lacra companies. It is the largest distributor of paints and varnishes in Russia. The group has connections with many European manufacturers and offers a product line of high consumer properties.

Offered goods are suitable for different types of work.All of them have a certificate of quality, compare favorably in their environmental performance, and therefore are ideal for interior decoration, where the requirements for finishing coatings are very high. Products are known not only simplicity and ease of use. They provide a beautiful appearance to the products, increase their durability, do not let moisture in, thereby perfectly protect them, increase durability.

Production meets the requirements of the most exacting buyers and at the same time has quite reasonable price.

How smoothly to apply varnish, you will learn in the next video.