8 Best Lacquers For Wood (April 2023 Reviews)

We have tried and tested a number of different wood 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 the best wood lacquer spray paint products available on the market. Read these reviews to find out which is good for your needs.

The clarity of the spray helps to bring out the natural beauty in all kinds of interior wooden surfaces.

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 wooden surfaces and metal.

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

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

It provides a tough, durable finish that is wood scratch resistance.

This clear lacquer paint is also UV resistant which means it will not yellow or fade over time and it is water resistant means waterproofing properties.

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

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

It is available in white, black and clear lacquer.

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 glossy finish, if required.

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

Acrylic resin 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 wood 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 wooden surface and metal surface. 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.

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 lacquers are 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 solvent evaporates 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 cab acrylic lacquers have many of the same properties as the nitrocellulose lacquer, but it is water-white.

This acrylic lacquer will not appear as an amber color when applied to lighter woods and the finish doesn’t yellow over time. It is made up of synthetic acrylic polymers.

Catalyzed lacquers are 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 solvent based finish. You can purchase these in two forms: pre catalyzed lacquer and post-catalyzed lacquer.

The pre catalyzed lacquer has all the components pre-mixed either by the manufacturer or from the store you purchase it from.  That's why it is known as pre catalyzed. The post-catalyzed lacquer is actually a two-part system. Post catalyzed lacquers are systems 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.

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

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

Acrylic lacquer is the chosen paint for automotive industry 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 coat but dries fast, but uses a catalyst to cure properly. This lacquer is the chosen paint for woodworkers and furniture restoration professionals.

It is important to note there is a further type of lacquered surface, which is a waterborne lacquer that is completely different, they are not as hazardous and are better for the environment, but aren't as durable as other types of lacquer.

• Wear rubber gloves on your hands and then wear protective gear like wear gloves for protection while removing wood lacquer. 
• Then, clean the wood with turpentine on a clean cloth. This takes off any wax that’s on the lacquer.
• Mix equal parts of wood 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.

How Long Does the slight smell of Lacquer Last? The lacquer smell will not last long – only while the lacquer is still drying. There are many different wood lacquer options out there, so always be careful when choosing the best wood lacquer for your specific project.

Epoxy paint provides a durable coating for many kinds of surfaces, including wooden surfaces such as tables and floors.

Using epoxy paint for wood will lengthen the life of your wooden surface, as the strength of this material will protect the wood against damage.

This spray lacquer can be used on an assortment of surfaces including masonry, metal, unglazed ceramics, and plaster as well.

By choosing to spray your wood lacquer you will not have any brush strokes or brush marks left on the surface, and you will be able to cover the harder-to-reach areas.

How Much Lacquer Do You Need to Apply? A minimum of two layers are required, but it is recommended to apply more.

Is Lacquer Expensive? Overall lacquer is cheaper than polyurethane or varnish, lacquer also offers you more options when it comes to sheen and color and requires less labor.

Both varnish and lacquer can provide a shiny protective coating (protective layer) to your lacquer 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.

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 wood 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.