Wood Coating

Wood stain, wood paint, polyurethane, lacquer - which one is right for what, and what will the results be? Today, we have the answers.

1. Wood Paint (Wood Coating)

This is a paint product used for all types of woodwork. It has an opaque film and comes in a variety of colors, both gloss and matte, to help cover the wood surface. It can be used to completely cover the original wood grain or color. It is generally an oil-based paint that has a strong odor and needs to be mixed with thinner before use, but there are also new innovative water-based formulas to choose from. The film of wood paint cannot expand and contract with the wood, so its lifespan is not very long.

• Pros: Completely covers the original surface, can be used for both interior and exterior.

  
  

• Cons: Not very good for exterior use.

2. Wood Stain

Also known as wood stain, this is a translucent color that, when applied to the wood, seeps into the wood and still allows the wood grain to be visible. It is therefore suitable for people who want to show off the beautiful wood grain. This type of paint is very flexible and can expand and contract with the movement of the wood, making it suitable for vertical woodwork such as walls, trellises, eaves, moldings, frames, siding, doors, or windows, etc. The paint film is available in gloss, semi-gloss, and matte finishes, as well as in both colored and clear versions.

However, for wood floors, especially exterior ones, a special separate paint called deck stain must be used. When applied, the wood grain will still be visible. It has a different composition, and if you use regular wood stain on a wood floor, the result will not be as good as using a deck stain.

Pros: Allows the wood grain to be seen, the flexible film can be used for both interior and exterior, and it is weather-resistant, so it does not need to be reapplied often.

3. Polyurethane for Wood

This is a type of hard oil coating made from polyurethane. It is often used to harden wood floors or tabletops, making the wood grain clear and prominent, similar to a car's glass coating. It is mostly available in a clear color, with both matte and gloss finishes. Because it is resistant to foot traffic, scratches, impacts, heat, cold, and everyday chemicals, it is popular for interior use. And because the polyurethane paint film is not flexible with the wood, it is not suitable for exterior use.

Pros: Strong and durable, resistant to scratches, impacts, heat, cold, and chemicals, shows the wood grain clearly, does not need to be recoated often, has a long lifespan, and is popular for interior wood floors.

Cons: Not suitable for exterior use.

4. Lacquer

This is a fast-evaporating wood coating used to coat the surface of wood to give it a glossy finish. It is also water and mold resistant and helps to prevent scratches on the wood surface. Lacquer is made from nitrocellulose mixed with resin, and is available in both brush-on and spray-on versions, as well as in both gloss and matte finishes. It is viscous and dries quickly. When using it, mix it with thinner to slow down the drying time.

Pros: Dries quickly, can be recoated quickly, provides high durability, and is popular for interior use, such as wooden furniture.

Cons: Not very good for exterior use. It may need to be reapplied several times, and you should regularly inspect the workpiece. If it starts to peel, you should sand off the old lacquer and apply a new coat.