Buying Guide for Polyurethanes, Shellac & Varnish
Polyurethane,, shellac, and varnish are all finishes that can be used to protect surfaces and give them a high gloss sheen. Polyurethane is essentially a plastic in the form of a liquid until it dries, and is available in both water and oil based options, and comes in a variety of finishes from satin to glossy. It is good for bookcases, desks, side tables, and picture frames. With its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, insulation properties, durability, and versatility, it is frequently used in building and construction applications.
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odour-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. The name of varnish finish often is used generically for a finish or top coat. It is very durable because it contains a higher ratio of solids. You can find the best deals on Amazon for a wide variety of best polyurethane, shellac and varnish.
Benefits of Polyurethanes, Shellac & Varnish
Protects Against Damage
Polyurethanes, shellac, and varnish help protect surfaces by providing a durable and clear finish that resists scratches, stains, and moisture.
Adds Aesthetic Appeal
The finishes can all help to add an aesthetic appeal to a room or piece of furniture. They can protect surfaces from wear and tear, and can also enhance the color and grain of the wood.
High Load Bearing Capacity
The three finishes have high load capacity in both tension and compression. They may undergo a change in shape under a heavy load, but will return to their original shape once the load is removed with little compression set in the material when designed properly for a given application.
Natural and Non Toxic
The finishes are 100% natural. They are also 100% non toxic and has FDA approval for use in coating foods, medicines, and cosmetics. This makes it safe to use on children’s furniture, for instance.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Polyurethanes, Shellac & Varnish
Kind of finish
Polyurethane is synthetic finish made from plastic resin and available in water, or oil based forms. Shellac is natural finish derived from the lac bug, it imparts a warm tone and adds depth to wood grain. Varnish provides a clear finish, but it darkens the wood slightly. It is available in high-gloss, semigloss, or satin, and matte or flat surface finishes.
Drying time
Polyurethane has a drying time of two hours for water based and six hours for oil based version. Shellac dries up in thirty minutes. Varnish has a drying time of twenty four hours.
Easy to apply
Polyurethane is the easiest to apply whereas Shellac and Varnish finishes are slightly difficult to apply.
Easy to Cleanup
Firstly, water based Polyurethane is easy to clean up compared to it's oil based version. And also, Polyurethane is the easiest to clean up among the three finishes. Shellac is slightly difficult to remove than Polyurethane, but easy to remove compared to the Varnish finish.
Conclusion
Polyurethanes, Shellac, and Varnish are all finishes that can be used to protect surfaces and give them a nice shine. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to choose the right one for your project. Polyurethanes are very durable and resist scratches and stains, but they can yellow over time.
Shellac is less durable but dries quickly and does not yellow. Varnish is in between the two in terms of durability and dries relatively quickly. When it comes to protecting your wood surfaces, polyurethane adhesives and polyurethanes shellac varnish are two of the best options. Both products can be applied with a brush or roller, and they will dry to a clear finish. If you want to learn more about your buying options, take a look at some of the best products we've featured above.
