Choosing the Right Finish 10/11/2011 11:19:00 AM 
Product design can have many meanings beyond the basic design of the product you manufacture. It can include the design of materials from your suppliers, the manufacturing process, cost, function, form, environmental, etc. Taking a “big picture” view of what it is you want to accomplish in the end product can allow you to balance the different design elements to achieve the desired result.
The materials you choose to make your products from need to conform to your products needs. There are many different needs that finishes need to fulfill. Choosing the best one for your product is important to get the best value from the finish. Because of the many different niches wood finishes need to fill there are many different types of wood finishes. Each type of finish has its own pluses and minuses.
Common wood finish types include solvent and water-based lacquer, pre-catalyzed lacquer, catalyzed lacquer, catalyzed varnish, 2K polyurethane and UV. UV can also be 100% solids with no solvent or water. Also, many of the solvent-based types of finishes can be found meeting the 275 grams per liter VOC (volatile organic compound) regulations in the most stringent air quality districts.
This has left many finishers with so many choices it can be difficult to find the best one for their needs. A general rule of thumb is:
Least durable, lowest cost, easiest to use
Lacquer
Pre-catalyzed Lacquer
Catalyzed Lacquer
Catalyzed Varnish
2K Polyurethane
UV
Most Durable, highest cost, most difficult to use
Also, solvent-based, higher VOC finishes are usually lower cost and easier to use vs. water-based and Low VOC solvent-based finishes.
Lacquers are well known for their ease of use; however, they are not suitable for many applications because their durability is not good enough.
Pre-catalyzed lacquers are almost as easy to use as lacquers, but have improved durability and can meet the minimum durability requirements for many applications.
Catalyzed lacquers are another step toward higher durability; however they require the finisher to catalyze the material.
Catalyzed varnishes are more durable and require the finisher to catalyze the finish. These finishes have found wide spread use on kitchen and bath cabinets because of their superior durability and relative ease of use.
2K-polyurethanes are very durable, however when the finisher catalyzes them they typically have only a few hours of pot-life. Plural component spray equipment helps get around the pot-life issue for larger production runs.
UV finishes are typically the most durable, but require expensive curing equipment.
Consult with finish suppliers to learn what the specific advantages and disadvantages of each type are. This will allow you to make an educated decision on what is the best finish for your needs.
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To Improve
Created by Anonymous in 11/20/2011 1:21:23 PM
Maybe add more common finishes for more common woods... As I am doing a school project.... This has alreday helped me loads... Thank you
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Owner: Acacia Fine Woodworking
Created by Dave Dutra in 10/12/2011 8:28:28 PM
I have a small shop and make from small table top custom cigar humidors to bookcases, dining tables, sideboards to full on libraries, entertainment centers and home offices. For me oil is out, to stinky, messy, and flamable. I only use "General Finishes" water based stains that work and blend like the oils and I use the "Enduro Clear Poly". The Poly has a additive I can use to make table tops last "forever". The stains stay "open" long enough to work in the color and get it right without laping and the poly sprays on smooth as a baby's .... . My oils have been environmentaly disposed of and no longer have a place in my shop. For a couple of repeat customers I have used "water colors" and matched the finish of old "oil color" pieces. Go "Water" people, it's easy to use, it lasts and it's "GREEN". And the little extra expence is worth it!
Dave Dutra AcaciaFineWoodworking.com
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