8 Best Lacquers For Wood & Furniture – Paint Sprayer Judge

We have tried and tested a number of different lacquers on the market as well as read numerous accounts of actual customer feedback.

Based on out findings, we can confidently recommend the following as some of best lacquer paint products available on the market. Read these reviews to find out which is good for your needs.

This non-yellowing formula will dry crystal clear in just 30 minutes. The clear wood finish lacquer is 100-percent nitrocellulose to be used on most interior wood and metal surfaces.

This easy to apply formula provides even the amateur user with professional results. In fact, you don’t need to sand between coats which makes this simple to use. You can expect to cover about 400-square feet per gallon of materials.

Deft is self-leveling and will also spray nicely from a quality paint gun. Use this on most household projects including furniture, doors, cabinets, craft projects and musical instruments.

This versatile lacquer paint can be used for wood or metal and is suitable for indoor or outdoor use.

It provides a tough, durable finish that is scratch resistant.

The product is also UV resistant which means it will not yellow or fade over time and it is water resistant.

This premium product provides a deep-gloss finish on metal or wood and is one of the best lacquer paint products on the market.

Rust-Oleum is a popular choice and rates as on of the best lacquer paints for wood. 

It is available in white, black and clear.

Made in the United States, this product will give your work an elegant and professional finish, making it a very popular choice for furniture and accessories. 

It is fast curing and fast drying and can be polished up to enhance the gloss, if required.

Another highly rated lacquer paint is this one by SM Arnold. It offers a high-grade coating and the acrylic resin that has been incorporated ensures maximum adhesion and excellent durability.

It has the added benefit of being heat resistant up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it extremely versatile and it can be used on water pumps, alternators, calipers, and transmission housing as well as most wood and other metal pieces.

The product is also perfect for giving aluminum parts a brand new look. The additional durability and non-leafing pigment means it does not rub off with time. It is VOC compliant. The lacquer is fast drying and does not smudge, ideal for a single coat covering.

This was one of the highest rated of the lacquer products we tested is definitely one of the best lacquer paints for wood.

It is ideal for a first coat on lacquer finishing item. The single coat will prevent the majority of stains from seeping through the outer coat. It does not yellow with age.

The clear wood finish spray is totally nitrocellulose brushing lacquer suitable for almost any interior wood and metal surfaces. It will dry in 30 minutes and be ready to sand in an hour. Once dry, the product is non-toxic.

One coat is ideal for sealing softwood, hardwood, plywood, particleboard, and MDF. It comes in a handy 12-ounce aerosol spray and has spray valve that can be adjusted.

Just as with almost all paints, lacquer has different types. The three largest types of lacquer paint, discussed here, can perform a myriad of projects.

A solvent-based paint, nitrocellulose lacquer, is extremely fast drying. It goes on smooth, has a natural shine and layers well. Even with multiple coats, the nitrocellulose paints remain thin but highly dense and strong.

Acrylic lacquer is the chosen paint for automotive restoration shops. It has an uncanny adhesion to metal and, once applied, has a very quick fast time. After the lacquer is applied, it can be buffed (by hand or machine) to enhance the sheen further, giving cars that like-new showroom glow.

Catalyzed lacquer comes in two forms, pre, and post-catalyzed. The lacquer itself is a basic lacquer but dries fast, but uses a catalyst to cure properly. This lacquer is the chosen paint for woodworkers and furniture restoration professionals.

Both can provide a shiny protective coating to your product but while varnishes are generally clear, lacquers can come in a range of color options.

Lacquer tends to be more durable and hard wearing due to the inclusion of plasticizers.

They are generally sprayed on (unlike varnish which is normally painted on) and is fast drying. Lacquers also provide a range of sheen levels, ranging from ultra matte up to a high gloss finish.

Lacquer sprays are relatively inexpensive, easy to use and will give your piece a professional finish. The protective outer coating will give additional protections against dirt, oils and liquids and is easy to clean.

When you are purchasing lacquer for wood, there are several things you’ll want to know about the various formulations that are on the market. Each of these will have its own characteristics.

Nitrocellulose lacquer is one of the more common choices. If the can doesn’t specify what kind it is, you can generally bet that it is nitrocellulose.

This is made from an alkyd and nitrocellulose resin that is dissolved. Once it’s dissolved, it is mixed with solvents that allow it to evaporate quickly.

This lacquer offers moderate water resistance but can be sensitive to certain solvents and heat. As it ages, it has a tendency to yellow slightly which shows up more prominently on light-colored wood.

Acrylic-modified lacquer has a mixture of non-yellowing cellulose resin or often called cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) and acrylic. This has many of the same properties as the nitrocellulose lacquer but it is water-white. It will not appear as an amber color when applied to light-colored woods and the finish doesn’t yellow over time.

Catalyzed lacquer is more complex and made of urea formaldehyde or urea melamine with an alkyd. This has some nitrocellulose resin to allow it to act like a normal lacquer. This formula provides a durable, tough finish. You can purchase these in two forms: pre-catalyzed and post-catalyzed.

The pre-catalyzed lacquer has all the components pre-mixed either by the manufacturer or from the store you purchase it from. The post-catalyzed lacquer is actually a two-part system that you will have to mix. This can be tricky since you have to follow a precise ratio. They also have a short pot life once mixed.

Deciding what application of lacquer you need can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be.

Brushing on lacquer will dry quickly but is also formulated to give a little extra time for application. This allows you to even out the finish as necessary.

If you are going to brush on the lacquer, be sure you use a bristle brush made from high-quality natural bristles. You also need a high quality paint. According to the Home Dweller website, deck paint is available in 4 main options - natural finish sealer, stain finish sealer, natural finish with oils and painted finish.

Start with a thin coat and don’t over-brush your work. Then, add another coat as needed once the first has dried.

If you would rather spray on the lacquer, you can use your HVLP sprayer or buy aerosol cans. Using the cans is a more expensive solution, but when you are doing a small project, they are quite convenient.

When you choose to spray lacquer you need to make sure you are working in an environment with good ventilation. The solvents tend to have a strong odor and are flammable.

Start by putting rubber gloves on your hands for protection. Then, clean the wood with turpentine on a clean cloth. This takes off any wax that’s on the lacquer.

Mix equal parts of lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol. Apply a coat of this mixture to a tiny area with your paintbrush.

Scrub it with steel wool. To do this, you’ll move in small circles until the finish is scraped off. You might need to use a scraper as well. Then, wipe off any remaining thinner with a cloth while it is still wet.

If any lacquer remains, don’t be afraid to repeat the process.

Whatever the object that you wish to lacquer is, you want it to look professionally finished and stay that way for some time.

Invest in one of these top quality lacquer paints for a convenient, easy to use products that will make you work look perfect immediately and stay that way for years to come.