Varnishes perform a protective function in finishing works, keep the coated surface from many factors: abrasion, mechanical damage, fading, and so on. In addition, with their help, the texture of the material appears brighter, the depth and brightness of colors appear. Varnishes are produced for many different purposes, but water-based acrylic varnish is gaining more and more popularity. It is considered environmentally friendly and harmless so much that it can be used in the design of a children's room. Like any material, it has positive and negative sides that must be considered when choosing.
What is acrylic lacquer
The basis for the production of varnish is acrylic acid from a number of carboxylic acids. In its original form, it is a clear, colorless liquid with a strong chemical odor. Soluble in water, ethanol, diethyl ether. Acrylic varnish was first produced in Mexico in 1950 and quickly became popular in the US and Europe.thanks to its unique qualities and safety.
Acrylic water-based varnish is an opaque milky white liquid with a uniform composition. The basis for the production is aqueous dispersions of acrylic resins, additives are added as stabilizers that help preserve the structure, as well as give additional properties to the varnish. When dry, the surface treated with the composition is covered with a stable transparent film with a high decorative effect.
Quality
Water-based acrylic lacquer for finishing almost any degreased surface.
Positive properties:
- No odor or toxicity.
- Dries quickly. The drying time is 30-120 minutes, but a strong polymerized film is formed after a week after application.
- Colorless varnish. Does not yellow surfaces, which means pure color reproduction.
- Serves as an antiseptic.
- Penetrates deep into the surface.
- Fireproof.
- UV resistant (does not change its color, retains the palette of a covered surface, does not deteriorate under direct sunlight).
- Resistant to temperature fluctuations.
- Available. Large selection of varnish types at any hardware store.
Flaws:
- To obtain a sustainable effect, it is necessary to strictly observe the application conditions: the air temperature is not lower than +5 °С and not higher than +30 °С, the varnish temperature is not less than +15 °С. Alsono drafts, direct sunlight required.
- Storage conditions must be observed: the material contains a large percentage of water, at sub-zero temperatures it freezes, and the varnish becomes unsuitable for use.
- High cost. The Finnish varnishes of the Tikkurila company have proven themselves well. The approximate price is about 500-900 rubles. for 0.9 liters, this is the average price category.
Opportunities
For the decoration of rooms or surfaces exposed to atmospheric influences, different types of covering material are used. Varnish "Tikkurila" water-based is available in a large assortment, differs in scope and additional features. For example, some types of varnishes from this manufacturer are tinted, which gives a shade, but does not stain the material with a dense color.
Tinting can be done independently, which is convenient for covering small decorative items, or in a store, on a special apparatus, where they will select the desired degree of shade intensity and mix it in doses with the entire mass of the selected varnish.
Views
Water-based acrylic varnishes are divided into one-component and two-component:
- One-component acrylic lacquer creates an elastic protective film, has low abrasion resistance, but retains surfaces well from fading. A positive quality is its high ability to pass air (a tree covered with this type of protection “breathes”, whichimportant for products made from this material), it keeps the surface well from dust and minor mechanical damage. Poor resistance to wet environments. Such qualities make the one-component composition popular among masters of decorative applied arts.
- Two-component aqualak contains additional substances that increase the stability of the coating in natural operating conditions. From the reviews of consumers who used acrylic water-based varnishes for outdoor work, it follows that in conditions of low air temperature (from -25 ° C and below), the varnish coating cracks, and restoration is required in the summer. Also, many have noted the poor stability of water-based acrylic protection in wet weather: the varnish becomes cloudy, bubbles may appear, and it lags behind the base.
Virtually all users agree that water-based acrylic lacquers are ideal for indoor use, showing excellent protection for handicrafts.
Decorative qualities
According to the decorative effect, water-based acrylic varnish can also be divided into groups:
- Matte. The coated surface is devoid of shine, it feels like silky, velvety, with a dense film. If there is any pattern under the varnish, then it will not undergo any changes. Hides small surface irregularities.
- Semi-matte. Possesses not brightly expressed gloss, flicker. Shows the texture of the covered material well. Irregularities on the surface willmore visible.
- Acrylic water-based glossy lacquer. Gives the product a bright shine, depth. Shows all the processing flaws of the coated material.
Varnish "Tikkurila" is available in all three versions and is distinguished by high decorative qualities and resistance to all types of damage. Reviews advise choosing a decorative coating according to the place where the product will be used. A coating suitable for indoor use will not respond well to precipitation or strong sunlight. One season will be enough for the varnish to peel off. When buying varnish, carefully study the instructions for use.
Compatibility
Acrylic water-based varnish for wood requires a thorough sanding of the surface before applying a protective coating. To obtain a good covering effect, wood should be primed with a water-based product. This will close the pores in its structure and reduce the consumption of varnish. Coating with a water-based primer and a water-based varnish guarantees a long life of the product.
Woodworkers advise not to mix materials of different synthesis, that is, it is necessary to use a primer and varnish produced on the basis of the same resin solvent. Parquet water varnish does not get along well with other types of varnishes and paints, in this case, bubbles, clouding, rejection and other troubles may appear on the surface.
Scope of application
Acrylic water-based varnish for woodavailable for various products. Most experts agree that this type of varnish is not intended for increased operational load. Wooden furniture, clapboard wall cladding, solid wood doors, stairs, chairs and other products made of natural material, coated with water-based acrylic lacquer, retain their aesthetic qualities for many years. At the same time, wood remains without structural and integral changes. But it is possible to cover the floor with this composition in places where there is no high traffic. It is great for bedrooms, children's rooms, but is of little use for corridors and hallways.
To work with different surfaces, a coating is used that not only preserves the finish, but also emphasizes the advantages of the material used. So, water-based acrylic matte varnish applied to wallpaper or brickwork will not change the perception and texture of the material, but will preserve the integrity of the repair for many years. The absence of phenols, formaldehydes and other volatile compounds in the composition of the protective coating allows it to be used in any environment: in the kitchen, in the nursery, dining room and so on.
Design Features
Finishing surfaces before coating must be carried out very carefully. Negligence in polishing, grinding, drying will cause irreparable harm, everything will have to be redone almost from the very beginning. A water-based acrylic varnish for wood is applied to a dry, sanded surface. Experts advise applying one layer and giving it a day fordrying, although according to the instructions, you can apply the next layer in the range from 30 to 120 minutes.
The experience of the masters also shows that for decorative work it is worth doing several layers of varnish with intermediate drying and grinding of each layer, except for the top one. Grinding the penultimate layer is preferably done on a wet surface: moisten and process with fine-grained sandpaper, then dry, clean from dirt and apply the last layer of varnish. It is also important what type of coating is used. Glossy colorless varnish after each application must be sanded (except for the top layer): the adhesion of glossy layers is extremely unreliable. The use of a matte varnish in combination with a glossy one makes it easier to work.
Water parquet varnish is applied to the surface primed with water composition. In this case, it lies more evenly and material consumption is significantly reduced. It is better to use a two-component aqueous composition for parquet coating, it is more resistant in operation. If desired, the covering material can be tinted, which will give a shade to the wooden surface. Only acrylic varnishes designed for heavy loads should be used for the floor, for example, from Tikkurila (the price is indicated above).
Tools
Brushes and rollers are used to apply acrylic varnishes. For safety reasons, wear gloves. Tools are washed with warm water, masters advise using simple soap or kitchen detergents designed for washing greasy dishes when washing brushes and rollers.
