Varnishes perform a protective function in the finishing work, preserve the surface to be coated 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 the colors appear. Many varnishes are produced for various purposes of use, but water-based acrylic varnish is gaining more and more popularity . It is considered environmentally friendly and harmless so 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 varnish
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 pungent chemical odor. It is soluble in water, ethanol, diethyl ether. First received acrylic varnish in Mexico in 1950, it quickly became popular in the USA and Europe due to its unique qualities and safety.
Water-based acrylic varnish is an opaque liquid of milky white color with a uniform composition. The basis for the production is aqueous dispersions of acrylic resins, additives are added as stabilizers to help maintain the structure, as well as add additional properties to the varnish. When drying, the surface treated with the composition is covered with a stable transparent film with a high decorative effect.
Qualities
Water-based acrylic varnish is used to finish almost any non-fat surface.
Positive properties:
- Odorless and toxic.
- It dries quickly. The drying speed is 30-120 minutes, but a strong polymerized film is formed a week after application.
- Colorless varnish. Does not yellow the surface, which means pure color reproduction.
- Acts as an antiseptic.
- Penetrates deep into the surface.
- Fireproof.
- Resistant to ultraviolet radiation (does not change its color, preserves the palette of a covered surface, does not collapse under the action of direct sunlight).
- Resistant to temperature fluctuations.
- Available. Large selection of varnish types in any hardware store.
Disadvantages:
- To obtain a sustainable effect, it is necessary to strictly observe the application conditions: air temperature not lower than +5 ° and not higher than +30 ° , varnish temperature not less than +15 ° . Also required is the absence of drafts, direct sunlight.
- Storage conditions must be observed: the material contains a large percentage of water, at freezing temperatures it freezes, and the varnish becomes unsuitable for use.
- High price. Finnish varnishes of the Tikkurila company have proved themselves well. Estimated 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 weathering, different types of coating material are used. Water-based Tikkurila varnish 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.
Toning can be done independently, which is convenient for coating small decorative objects, or in a store, on a special apparatus, where they will select the desired degree of shade intensity and mix it with the entire mass of the selected varnish.
Kinds
Water-based acrylic varnishes are divided into one-component and two-component:
- A one-component acrylic varnish creates an elastic protective film, has a low abrasion resistance, but it keeps surfaces well from fading. A positive quality is its high ability to pass air (a tree covered with this type of protection “breathes”, which is important for products made of this material), it well preserves the surface from dust and minor mechanical damage. Poorly resistant to wet environments. Such qualities make a one-component composition popular among masters of decorative applied art.
- The bicomponent scuba contains in its composition additional substances that increase the stability of the coating under natural operating conditions. From consumer reviews that used acrylic water varnishes for outdoor use, it follows that in conditions of low air temperature (from -25 ° C and below), the varnish coating is cracked, and restoration in the summer is required. Also, many noted the poor stability of waterborne acrylic protection in wet weather: the varnish becomes cloudy, bubbles may appear, lags behind the base.
Almost all users agree that water-based acrylic varnishes are ideal for indoor use, demonstrate excellent protective qualities for handmade products.
Decorative qualities
According to the decorative effect, water-based acrylic varnish can also be divided into groups:
- Matt The coated surface is devoid of shine, it feels like silky, velvet, 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. It has a slightly pronounced brilliance, flicker. It shows the texture of the covered material well. Roughnesses on the surface will become more noticeable.
- Water-based glossy acrylic varnish . Gives the product a bright shine, depth. It shows all the disadvantages of processing the coated material.
Tikkurila varnish is available in all three versions and is distinguished by high decorative qualities and resistance to all types of damage. Reviews are advised to choose 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 read the instructions for use.
Compatibility
Water-based acrylic varnish for wood requires careful sanding of the surface before applying the protective coating. To obtain a good covering effect, the 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 primer and waterborne varnish guarantees a long life of the product.
Masters of working with wood advise not to mix materials of different synthesis, that is, it is necessary to use a primer and varnish made on the basis of one resin solvent. Parquet water polish does not get along well with other types of varnishes and paints, in this case bubbles, turbidity, tearing and other troubles may appear on the surface.
Scope of application
Water-based acrylic varnish for wood is available for various products. Most experts agree that this type of varnish is not intended for increased operational load. Wooden furniture, wall paneling, clapboard doors, solid wood doors, stairs, chairs and other products made of natural material coated with waterborne acrylic varnish 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 compound in places where there is not a lot of traffic. It is great for bedrooms, children's rooms, but for corridors and hallways unsuitable.
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 protective coating allows you to use it in any conditions: in the kitchen, in the nursery, dining room and so on.
Application Features
Finishing surfaces before coating should 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. Water-based acrylic varnish for wood is applied to a dry, sanded surface. Experts advise to apply one layer and give it a day to dry, 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 during decorative work it is worth making several layers of varnish with intermediate drying and grinding of each layer, except for the top. It is more preferable to grind the penultimate layer on a wet surface: moisten and process fine grain with sandpaper, then dry, clean from dirt and apply the last coat of varnish. What is also important is the type of coating used. After each application, the glossy colorless varnish must be sanded (except for the top coat): adhesion of the glossy layers is extremely unreliable. Facilitates the use of matte varnish in combination with glossy.
Parquet water-based varnish is applied to a surface primed with a water composition. In this case, it lays more evenly and material consumption is significantly reduced. It is better to use a two-component water composition to cover the parquet; it is more resistant in operation. If desired, the coating material can be tinted, which will give a shade of a wooden surface. Use only acrylic varnishes designed for heavy loads, for example, from the Tikkurila company (the price is indicated above).
Instruments
For applying acrylic varnishes, brushes and rollers are used. For safety reasons, work with gloves on. Tools are washed with warm water, the masters give advice when washing brushes and rollers to use simple soap or kitchen detergents designed to wash greasy dishes.