Possibly Silly Question(s) - Coloured Lacquer?

[jonny round boy]

What is the difference between 'paint' and 'coloured lacquer'?

Can coloured lacquer be used in place of paint on furniture?

Is it an opaque finish, or still translucent? I was looking at a supplier website, and it lists coloured lacquer under 'pigmented finishing' and not 'translucent finishing', implying that it's not translucent.

The reason I ask is that I have a very basic HVLP sprayer, and it's not really good enough to spray paint. I do get a great finish with clear lacquer though, so wondered if a coloured lacquer might be the answer...

[unsure]

 

[overanalyze]

Do you have a Sherwin Williams near you? They have a product called KemAqua that is a pigmented laquer that can be tinted to match their colors. Its water based as well.

 

[tjbnwi]

Colored lacquer is clear lacquer with a colorant added.

Tom

 

[tiralie]

What is the difference between 'paint' and 'coloured lacquer'?

Not sure what you mean by 'paint'? For instance Farrow and ball is paint but it's the not the same as a lacquer. All lacquer is paint but all paint is not lacquer.
Depending on weather you are referring to solvent or waterbourne lacquers, they are all formulated to cure harder than most wall and trim paint. In most cases they are formulated to be sprayed vs. brushing on.

Can coloured lacquer be used in place of paint on furniture?

Yes. I almost always use lacquer on my cabinets.

Is it an opaque finish, or still translucent? I was looking at a supplier website, and it lists coloured lacquer under 'pigmented finishing' and not 'translucent finishing', implying that it's not translucent.

Lacquer can be either opaque (pigmented) or transparent (clear). Clear lacquer can be mixed with pigments to create a translucent or glaze finish.

The reason I ask is that I have a very basic HVLP sprayer, and it's not really good enough to spray paint. I do get a great finish with clear lacquer though, so wondered if a coloured lacquer might be the answer...

Pigmented lacquer has a higher viscosity than clear lacquer which makes it difficult to atomize if you don't have enough pressure.
Not all pigmented lacquer have the same viscosity so you need to research which ones could work with your setup.
Tim

PS. When it comes to paint and painting there are no "silly questions" just silly answers...  [tongue]

 

[mastercabman]

It is pigmented lacquer just like Tom said.
You can spray it like a clear but you may want to step up in nozzle size or thin it
Are you talking about solvent based or water based lacquer?

 

[jonny round boy]

Specifically water based.

This is the lacquer I've been using successfully, and I'm considering trying this coloured lacquer.

I've been using this paint previously, but I can't seem to get a decent finish coat. Whenever I've sprayed it it's been ok as a base coat, then I've done a final coat by hand after installation.

Also, as mentioned in another thread (which is what prompted me to post this in the first place) this paint doesn't seem to harden properly & things stick to it if left in one place for too long...

Oh, and I've got an Earlex 5500, with the standard 2.0mm tip. Maybe I need to get a smaller tip & needle.

 

[tjbnwi]

The Earlex will have a very hard time pushing the paint through a smaller tip.

2.0 mm in my opinion is to large for both water based or solvent lacquer. I use a 1.5 and 1.0. Not sure the Earlex will support those tips.

Tom

 

[jimbouk]

Specifically water based.

This is the lacquer I've been using successfully, and I'm considering trying this coloured lacquer.

I've been using this paint previously, but I can't seem to get a decent finish coat. Whenever I've sprayed it it's been ok as a base coat, then I've done a final coat by hand after installation.

Also, as mentioned in another thread (which is what prompted me to post this in the first place) this paint doesn't seem to harden properly & things stick to it if left in one place for too long...

Oh, and I've got an Earlex 5500, with the standard 2.0mm tip. Maybe I need to get a smaller tip & needle.

Jonny,

You will struggle to get anything decent with that sprayer and that paint due to viscosity issues. Also you would probably need an additive such as oterol conditioner and to run the paint through a strainer first.

That morrells stuff should be fine. Mylands do a similar solvent based version (precat laquer) tinted or un tinted. Works great for mdf priming, edges come up real crisp with 1 sand..

Give me a shout if you need any more help re setting up spray equipment or a booth.

 

[tiralie]

Also you would probably need an additive such as oterol conditioner and to run the paint through a strainer first.

Not sure why you would add floetrol to lacquer when distilled water will work?
Floetrol is an additive for latex based paint not acrylic which most lacquers contain. Unfortunately the MSDS for the Morrells waterborne lacquer doesn't really tell you much.

I agree that you need to run the paint through a strainer first.

[/quote]

 

[tiralie]

Specifically water based.

Waterbourne. The term "water based" is incorrect. Do not be misled by the use of "water" in these coatings. Water is the carrier but these lacquers contain a lot of petroleum based chemicals.

Oh, and I've got an Earlex 5500, with the standard 2.0mm tip. Maybe I need to get a smaller tip & needle.

I can't find any reference to the viscosity or solids content for this paint but I agree with Tom, your 5500 will struggle. The 5500 is rated as a two stage HVLP machine. You will need at least a three stage machine to spray this lacquer.

Tim

 

[jimbouk]

Sorry for the misunderstanding I would def not use it in laquer like the morells! Only in oil based eggshell like in the link jonny posted that he had been using.

 

[jonny round boy]

The Earlex will have a very hard time pushing the paint through a smaller tip.

2.0 mm in my opinion is to large for both water based or solvent lacquer. I use a 1.5 and 1.0. Not sure the Earlex will support those tips.

Tom

Earlex do 1.0 and 1.5mm tips for the 5500. It is supposed to be capable of spraying paint, but I realise that's probably pushing the limit of it's capabilities! I bought the Earlex because it was the best I could afford at the time, and I needed it for a project. I can't afford to upgrade to a better machine at the moment either.

Sorry for the misunderstanding I would def not use it in laquer like the morells! Only in oil based eggshell like in the link jonny posted that he had been using.

That diamond eggshell is water based waterborne  [big grin], not oil or solvent.

Oh, and I always strain whatever I'm spraying, through 125 micron paper/nylon filters. Is that fine enough?

Thanks for all the replies so far. I'm definitely learning something!

 

[tiralie]

Sorry for the misunderstanding I would def not use it in laquer like the morells! Only in oil based eggshell like in the link jonny posted that he had been using.

No worries, I misunderstood...as well...I probably just need a beer and relax...
Tim

 

[mastercabman]

Are you talking about solvent based or water based lacquer?

Please forgive me
I meant waterbourn

 

[tiralie]

I meant waterbourne

I know... [tongue]

 

[tjbnwi]

Sorry for the misunderstanding I would def not use it in laquer like the morells! Only in oil based eggshell like in the link jonny posted that he had been using.

Penetrol is for oil, Flotrol is for latex.

Tom

 

[rizzoa13]

Wouldn't an oil-based product spray out better with an underpowered system? I'm spraying SW oil based enamel and its working a million times better than anything else ive tried with my Apollo conversion gun and compressor.

 

[tjbnwi]

Wouldn't an oil-based product spray out better with an underpowered system? I'm spraying SW oil based enamel and its working a million times better than anything else ive tried with my Apollo conversion gun and compressor.

If the viscosity is lower, yes it will spray better.

When I use HVLP to spray latex I use a pressure pot. I believe the pot blow off is 80 psi. If that won't get the fluid to the tip nothing will.

Be carful spraying oil, you're atomizing a flammable product.

Tom

 

[oldie]

Just giving a UK source of info' regarding Floetrol (for waterborne) / Owatrol (for oil-based/alkyd based)
  http://www.owatroldirect.co.uk
Richard

 

[rizzoa13]

If the viscosity is lower, yes it will spray better.

When I use HVLP to spray latex I use a pressure pot. I believe the pot blow off is 80 psi. If that won't get the fluid to the tip nothing will.

Be carful spraying oil, you're atomizing a flammable product.

Tom

I was actually thinking of rooster tailing some sparks into the garage with my grinder if the finish doesnt come out nice  [wink]