Acrylic varnish: properties and applications

Varnish is a type of coating that protects the surface from moisture and mechanical damage, and it also does an excellent job with its aesthetic function. Modern manufacturers constantly produce all new types of this finishing material.

Acrylic varnish is crushed plastic dissolved in acrylic. After drying, such a composition forms a thin, colorless acrylic film with high resistance to mechanical damage.

The main substances that make up the varnish, fit in three points:

• liquid polymer (acrylic);
• antiseptic (to protect the wood from moisture and pests);
• plasticizer (the main component that gives the coating maximum strength and durability).

Acrylic lacquer is a ready-to-use substance: homogeneous, transparent, almost odorless. It is based on high-quality acrylic resins, unburdened by color, and aqueous dispersions.

To get acquainted with this almost universal coating, it is necessary to highlight its main properties and characteristics.

• Acrylic lacquer is a liquid. It is characterized by high viscosity and ability to dissolve in water.
• One of the amenities is the minimal presence of odor (at least unpleasant).
• Despite the fact that this type of varnish dissolves with water, you can not wash it off after drying.
• The film, which appears in place of the dried acrylic varnish, has a high elasticity and wear resistance.
• The coating does not lose its transparency even with time and under the influence of sunlight.
• If necessary, such a varnish is even recommended to be mixed with water-soluble paints.
• Ideal for exterior and interior use. It interacts well not only with wood, but also with bricks.

The main and most pleasant feature of acrylic lacquer is its ready-made condition, that is, you can buy it, bring it home and start processing immediately. Also, professionals advise to stop their attention on it because the coating has a high resistance to temperature extremes (does not crack in the heat or in severe frost). Acrylic lacquer is so versatile that easily falls not only on wood or brick. There is information about the successful application of it on paper, wallpaper, cardboard, plastered surfaces, metal and plastic products, fiberboard and drywall, glass surfaces, and more. Let us consider the positive and negative points of acrylic varnish.

Benefits:

• high level of moisture resistance and thermal conductivity;
• transparency and elasticity;
• environmental friendliness;
• pronounced antiseptic properties;
• excellent decorating solution;
• low fire hazard;
• resistance to household chemicals and alcohol solutions.

Professionals always advise to pay attention to the date of manufacture and shelf life of acrylic lacquer, which can significantly affect its physical and chemical characteristics. If the coating was stored for a long time in the cold, it may freeze and lose its main properties: elasticity and ease of application. Of course, the disadvantages include the high price for a quality product.

Surface preparation for the application of acrylic lacquer is a major and important step in the work. First you need to clean everything from dust, dirt and grease. In the case of re-applying the old layer must be removed and sanded that will be varnished. The first application on wood is characterized by the use of three layers: the first is a varnish diluted with a solvent by 10%; the second and third - undiluted varnish.

It is recommended to apply an acrylic coating using a special roller. Professionals do not recommend the use of a brush when it comes to large sizes of lacquered surface. The interaction of the substance with the skin is unacceptable, therefore, work should be carried out in gloves.

When decorating a room and its elements, the idea of ​​adding color to a varnish may arise. Of course, it will not be possible to achieve bright colors, but the tinting makes it easy to give your favorite piece of furniture a new shade.

Starting to acquire acrylic varnish, you should understand its basic types. The varieties of this finishing material on the market today are not considered. Even before the purchase and application of acrylic lacquer, you must firmly decide what kind of coating you need to get as a result: matte or glossy, transparent, dull or with a certain shade.

There are several basic characteristics by which varnishes can be divided into groups.

• Composition. Single component - coating, which includes only acrylic. Two-component - varnish, complemented by polyurethane.
• Appearance treated surface. Two polar subspecies: matte and glossy, and one adjacent - semi-matte. Matt varieties have a pleasant silky texture with velvety notes. The gloss, on the contrary, creates the impression of an impenetrable ice sheet.

• Type of surface to be treated:

1. for flooring (acrylic-based parquet urethane varnish is suitable for perfectly flat surfaces; for uneven parquet, it is better to use matte varieties);
2. for furniture (often used to give freshness and brightness to old items of interior, so it is best to choose a glossy polyurethane varnish).

• Colour. In its original form, acrylic lacquer is a liquid transparent substance, which is easily combined with any water-based paint, acquiring its unique shade. Just like paint, it can be tinted and be colored. From colorless with ease goes into extremes: white and black.
• Packing This can be an aerosol in a can designed for processing wood and its tinting (such an aerosol universal acrylic lacquer allows the flight of imagination to participate in decorating the room). Spray promotes uniform lightweight application. The main packaging container is also a can or bucket, depending on the desired volume.

You can list the species exactly as much as you can sing the praises of all the advantages of acrylic lacquer.Insulating and antiseptic properties, the slight presence of odor also allow you to select a specific varnish in a separate category and subspecies.

The choice of the right finishing material depends not only on saving time and money, but also on the successful processing of the selected surface. Acrylic varnish is so unique and versatile that it can be easily used in any interior solutions with closed eyes.

When processing wood varnish based on acrylic has a practical and aesthetic effect. What is it worth the treatment of wooden floor! In the case of working with a whole rough board, it is necessary to choose the options that form the most dense layer. Also, such a coating should easily tolerate temperature surges and be resistant to moisture. Acrylic parquet lacquer was originally created so that the coating was thin, transparent and almost weightless, but if you cover rough boards with this type of varnish, the floor will soon crack.It is worth remembering that it will not be possible to quickly finish the floor, because the first layer dries at least 4 hours and at least 12 hours after finishing. In order to make life easier for the masters, acrylic floor varnish was made initially white. When it dries, it gets perfect transparency, which gives the signal to apply the next layer.

For exterior work is also applicable the application of this tool as a finishing finish. Resistant to sudden changes in temperature and mechanical damage, it allows the surface to leave behind its original design and shade.

Smaller projects also need acrylic lacquer treatment. For example, it is very convenient to use it to cover stools and bedside tables, stairs, railings and plasterboard walls, table tops, decorative items of interior (figurines, frames, and so on). Even painting requires processing - it is worth covering the picture with acrylic lacquer in order to make it longer enjoy its bright pristine colors.

Due to the high cost of acrylic lacquer, there are several ways to make a varnish for wood at home.The oldest and most common method is mixing acetone and foam. The consistency is obtained jelly-like, not the most convenient for application, but its durability and wear resistance, it is not inferior to the store. It is possible to use this mass for processing small areas of the surface or for applying a protective layer on decorative interior decorations made by hand.

Decoupage can be considered as another creative application of acrylic lacquer. - decoration of various interior items with pieces of paintings, drawings, ornaments and monograms on a paper basis.

Before the start of varnishing should resort to some basic tips of professionals who are happy to share experience - both positive and negative.

• Padding. After cleaning the surface from dirt, dust and grease, you should prime it with a special primer or impregnation.This will help make the varnish layer as smooth as possible.
• Grinding. The ideal mirror surface will allow you to get the so-called wet grinding: wetted wood is hard to grind, and only then apply a primer and acrylic varnish. Each layer, except the first, also continues to grind fine sandpaper.
• Wash. In the case of decorating an already varnished item, it is necessary to first wash off the old varnish coat. Most often it is enough just to sand the surface, prime and apply a lacquer coat. Sometimes it becomes so difficult to remove the old coating that you have to resort to additional physical effort or mechanical grinding. For example, to remove a layer of varnish from a guitar, you have to sweat a little. There is a risk to spoil the wood, but there are humane ways: sanding with sandpaper (sandpaper) and blow-drying (better construction, but the main thing is not to overheat the wood).

It is better to dilute the thickest mixture. Since acrylic lacquers are made on the basis of water, they can only be diluted with water, but the amount of thinner can be no more than 10% of the total mass of the coating.

Among the important recommendations for the use of acrylic lacquer - compliance with external conditions: temperature and humidity. The first indicator must necessarily be positive, and the second must be at least 50%. Any deviations from these standards will lead to a deterioration in the performance of the coating.

Among the most well-known whales of the building materials market in the production of acrylic lacquer, the following brands stand out: Tikkurila, Neomid, Lacra, Optimist and Goodhim. Let us dwell in more detail on each.

Tikkurila - queen of paints and varnishes. The maximum number of positive reviews received acrylic varnish for parquet - Parketti Assa. It has a high wear resistance, so it can be applied in the most passable places. It is easy to clean and does not deteriorate when using household chemicals of any composition. Even if there is a need to erase traces of paint from an already lacquered floor, you can resort to the help of “White spirit” or any other solvent.Parquet flooring, protected by varnish from Tikkurila, nothing scary.

Neomid - Russian manufacturer, which offers an extensive line of high quality paint and varnish materials and durability. Buyers most often recommend acrylic lacquer for processing wood products Neomid Sauna. It is used, based on the name, for the decoration of premises with high temperature and humidity, is heat and moisture resistant, easy to apply and durable. Neomid Stone - acrylic lacquer for processing stone or mineral surfaces (brick, concrete and others). After drying, a wet stone effect appears, the substance has excellent antiseptic and protective properties. Suitable for outdoor use.

Lacra - a multinational project, concentrated in Russia, but having close ties with Europe and Canada. Thanks to this, all brand products are in demand and have good qualities. According to consumer reviews, acrylic lacquer of the company "Lacra" is odorless, but has a very valuable factor - a low price. Buyers use a line of varnishes of this brand for purposes not related to repairs. Some are happy to use acrylic lacquer for handmade and decoupage.

"Optimist" - the most influential and largest manufacturer in Russia.Acrylic varnish of this brand is of high quality coating, good drying speed and environmental friendliness. Customer reviews unanimously declare only the positive aspects of this product:

• easy application;
• quick drying;
• the possibility of toning;
• Easy to care for lacquered surface.

The main achievement of the brand Goodhim is a universal acrylic lacquer Goodhim texture. The main feature of it is that it is equally well suited for decorative decoration of rooms and interior items. Its versatility allows it to be used for both internal and external works. It has its own palette of colors, which includes ten shades: walnut, oak, metallic and others. The low price adds to its special appeal in the eyes of consumers.

Acrylic lacquer is not just another finishing material that will be lost in the interior some time after the repair. This is a whole strategy and one big design decision. It is good to know that old objects restored with acrylic lacquer look fresher, shiny and pleasantly velvety to the touch.Adding shades of paint to a clear liquid will allow you to look at things and the interior from a different angle.

See the following video for tips on applying varnish.