what is lacquer

Lacquer is a type of hard and usually shiny coating or finish applied to materials such as wood or metal. It is most often made from resin extracted from trees and waxes and has been in use since antiquity. Asian lacquerware, which may be called "true lacquer", are objects coated with the treated, dyed and dried sap of Toxicodendron vernicifluum or related trees, applied in several coats to a base that is usually wood. This dries to a very hard and smooth surface layer which is durable, waterproof, and attractive in feel and look. In modern techniques, lacquer means a range of clear or pigmented coatings that dry by solvent evaporation to produce a hard, durable finish. The finish can be of any sheen level from ultra-matte to high gloss, and it can be further polished as required. Lacquer finishes are usually harder and more brittle than oil-based or latex paints, and are typically used on hard and smooth surfaces. Nitrocellulose lacquer, which consists of cotton and cellulosic solids chemically modified with nitric acid and dissolved in a solvent, is a popular type of lacquer used in woodworking. It dries fast, which allows for several coats to be built in a short time and quickly move many pieces through the finishing process. Lacquer also provides moderate durability that suits a variety of indoor items, such as shelving, tables, and cabinets that wont see heavy use. Most lacquer gets sprayed using high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) spray equipment, but other methods dont require this investment. Regardless of how it is applied, the fumes for water- and solvent-based lacquers pose health and fire hazards, so adequate ventilation is necessary.