I am in search of a clear lacquer finish for wood. There are many
finishes like this available as you will see when you start your
search, however, the type I am looking for seems to be difficult to
find. The specific variation I want will be advertised as having a
"true wax finish appearance". I know this product exist because I
have read about it in current books, which actually prompted me to do
a search for this very thing a couple years ago on a freinds computer,
and at the time I was able locate a website of a seller that offered
this type of product, but do to my computer illiteracy, I somehow
managed to loose the info, now that I have my own computer with
internet access, I have been trying to relocate the website, but every
time I do a search I come up with about a 100,000 possibles, I usually
become exhausted after veiwing 100. A freind told me about your
service and I figured someone with your expertise nows a way to narrow
the search to find at least this one seller, if not a dozen more. To
help you in your search I should explain that there are 3 different
types of clear lacquer wood finishes, I emphasize "clear lacquer wood
finish" not colored, or metal finish. The 3 different types for wood
are 1.Catylized, or pre catylized. 2.CAB Acrylic and 3.
Nitrocellulose I am about 90% sure it will be under the
Nitroceluulose category because it is the oldest type, and I have been
informed by a few old time craftman that this wax appearance variation
was used in the early 1900's alot by furniture manufacture's, I would
at least start my search with this type. Also, possibly even more
valuble information would be to tell you that when I found the web
site I mentioned before, I recall the wording mentioning "highest
quality lacquer" "with true appearance of a wax finish". I would
also like to point out that there are some manufacture's that add a
material called flattener's which is a whitish film that floats to the
top of the finish as it is drying to give different degree's of sheen
from dull to gloss, "THESE TYPE'S WILL NOT CUT IT UNFORTUNATLY" I
have tried them. I feel the specific one I am looking for, or at
least the website selling it will proudly and boldly state that their
product does not need these flattener's to acheive the wax appearance,
because of the high quality of their product, in fact I recall the
site I found a few years ago made that statement, I also believe this
was the only type/sheen it offered. I honestly beleive this product
still is available due to the demand for quality furniture
restoration. It would mean alot to me if I could at least find the
one I found before, but I would prefer several.
Thank you for your efforts |
Request for Question Clarification by
jbf777-ga
on
21 Feb 2005 13:34 PST
Unfortunately, there are no pages in Google's 8 billion page index
that contain the word lacquer with any phrase on the order of "no
flattener," "flattener free," "without flattener" (in addition to
asterisks in between words). I searched Internet archives as well.
I spoke to a manufacturer of coatings, who says their flattening agent
has no milky appearance whatsoever. Wax used to be used in the
industry as a flattener in the past, and this had a white appearance.
Would you be interested in this contact as an answer to your question?
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Clarification of Question by
artisian-ga
on
21 Feb 2005 17:03 PST
No, this does not answer my question. Please read it again, as I have
stated, at one time I found a website that sells a clear lacquer wood
finish with the appearance of an actual wax finish, this website is
out there somewhere. What I was referring to in regards to the
flattener is that the particular website with the finish I am trying
to relocate will not use a flattener as a substitute to achieve the
result of a lacquer finish with a wax appearance, as many others will.
In regards to the info you gathered from a certain manufacturer, he
is correct the flattener will not create a milky appearance when the
finish is cured, but when it is added to the finish in liquid form, it
does have a milky appearance, also the wax they mentioned is sometimes
white, but it is not used as a finish, it is only used as a lubricant
when rubbing a finish with steel wool to give the finish a satin
sheen. I want you to know that I appreciate your efforts, and that I
am sure this product exist, because I have found it once. For future
reference please understand, I am not looking for a wax, or wax
finish, I am looking for a clear lacquer wood finish with the
APPEARANCE of a wax finish. I don?t know if Google would allow me to
pay you more for this, but I would be willing to offer a higher amount
of compensation, if you find the actual finish have throughly
described. Good luck searching, and thanks
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Request for Question Clarification by
cynthia-ga
on
22 Feb 2005 01:22 PST
Do you see it at any of these links?
Finishing Comparison Guides...
http://www.hobbywoods.com/finishing_comparison_guide.htm
http://www.allwoodwork.com/article/woodwork/finishingcomparisonguide.htm
http://www.azwoodman.com/finishing-details.html
http://www.myland.co.uk/guide.html
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Request for Question Clarification by
cynthia-ga
on
22 Feb 2005 01:44 PST
artisan,
When I first read your question, I thought of shuffleboard finishes.
Seems to me you are interested in shellac. Shellac finishes are clear,
have a true wax appearance, and are highly glossy.
Do these look like the finish you are trying to achieve? :
http://www.antcons.com.au/French_Polishing.html
http://www.antcons.com.au/Lacquering.html
Here's their explanation about Shellac:
http://www.antcons.com.au/Shellac.html (the page is fascinating)
..."Whilst shellac had been displaced almost completely by synthetic
resins, the public's incessant need for anything 'natural' may be
encouraging a comeback. Shellac is non toxic and can be used in food
as well as non-food products. It has a tenacious adhesive quality
sticking to anything from porous wood to glossy smooth surfaces. It
dries to the touch in under fifteen minutes thus eliminating drips. It
can be softened and moulded like clay or dissolved in solvent and
spread whisper thin. It has even been used to seal in the smell of
urine!
In a strange squirk of fate, shellac could be called the parent of
the modern plastics industry because in the attempt to produce a resin
resembling lac, we saw the beginning of plastic as we know it
today..."
At the Shellac.net web site:
What is Shellac?
MAIN: http://www.shellac.net/index.html
INFO: http://www.shellac.net/information.html
My finish looks cloudy. What did I do?
http://www.shellac.net/faq.html
..."This is known as blushing, and is a common occurence when too many
coats are applied too quickly, or the moisture content is high in the
solvent. Let the finish dry for a day, then lightly and quickly wipe
it down with a 1/4# cut of shellac, or straight alcohol. This will
allow the trapped moisture to evaporate..."
shellac specifications, direct from the manufacturer:
http://www.shellac.net/lit.html
~~Cynthia
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Clarification of Question by
artisian-ga
on
22 Feb 2005 09:25 PST
Cynthia, I checked out these links, and what I mostly found was wax,
and oil finishes with wax in it. These are not what I am looking for
,I am looking for a lacquer with no wax in the finish, but with a wax
appearance. Using the word "wax" or the use of wax in a product as a
marketing tool is very popular, because of the well known, and awesome
appearance it provides, unfortunatly it is not very durable, neither
is oil finish. The reason a professional would choose lacquer over
these finishes is becaues they are more durable, dry faster, and
provide better buffing ability than oil, shellac, or wax, which all
add up to lower labor costs. Most of your popular retailers, like Ace
Hardware, Home Depot, and similar types that appeal to the weekend
warrior's, and non professionals mostly sell these oils, shellac, and
wax for the reason of low fumes, and low levels of toxic materials,
also because it does not require any expensive equipment to apply, as
lacquer does. I am familiar with shellac, and its working properties,
and you are correct, it does have a waxy look, but it does not have
the durability I need. If you have a family heirloom like an old
dining room table and chairs with shellac on it, you will notice that
it sometimes feel sticky, and if your not careful, when in contact
with moisture it will turn a milky white color, lacquer will not do
that, thats why I am interested in lacquer only. I hope this helps
you.
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Request for Question Clarification by
cynthia-ga
on
22 Feb 2005 09:47 PST
Ok, thanks for clarifying. How about Shuffleboard Lacquer? My Dad
used to refinish Shuffleboards and the lacquer is very high quality.
Cures ROCK hard, and is very clear and looks surprisingly like wax.
~~Cyn
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Clarification of Question by
artisian-ga
on
22 Feb 2005 15:26 PST
Cynthia, Interesting, I have never heard of shuffleboard lacquer,
choosing from the original three types I listed in my original
question, which classification does this fall under, if you have
located this product the seller should describe it as one of these
three, from my own experience it sounds like a catylized type, if so I
already have a finish that is better, it is an epoxy which is the most
durable finish available anywhere. The type I am looking for is
nitrocellulose lacquer, as I also described in my 1st question.
Please reread it a couple times, I have tried to describe the website
that sells the product as well as I remember. I would try to limit my
initial searching to Nitrocellulose lacquer, I am not interested in
any of the catylized types, or water based, and/or polyurethane
combinations of lacquer. The CAB acryilic types may offer something
similar to what I requested, but I am 90% sure the website that I lost
said Nitrocellulose type. Hope I am helping. I really need this
website's finish, please keep digging. THANKS
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Request for Question Clarification by
cynthia-ga
on
24 Feb 2005 02:41 PST
You can kind of see the gloss here:
http://www.gameroomsathome.com/store/index.php?cat_id=12&catname='Shuffle%20Board'&PHPSESSID=409bf45c61fee3ade286f908517e9790
They never turn milky in color.
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Request for Question Clarification by
cynthia-ga
on
24 Feb 2005 04:21 PST
I've been unsuccessful n trying to locate it online to find out which
of the 3 types it is. I'll make a call tomorrow.
~~Cyn
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