What is conversion varnish for cabinets?
Conversion varnish is the premium paint finish for all sorts of projects, including cabinetry and cabinet doors. This post Catalyzed conversion varnish offers a number of benefits on your cabinet doors. You may choose conversion varnish over other cabinet paint or lacquer products because it:
Is Sherwin Williams conversion varnish better than catalyzed vinyl?
For over all rating only the catalyzed vinyl rates better, and that only slightly. However, Sherwin Williams rates it's conversion varnishes slightly better on an overall rating than it does it's catalyzed vinyls. Sherwin Williams treats the catalyzed vinyls much like conversion varnishes, lumping them all together under the "Kemvar" grouping.
What is Concon conversion varnish?
Conversion varnish is lacquer which consists of a high-end solid two-part post-catalyzed application process. What this means is that at the time of application a hardening agent must be mixed in with the lacquer to provide the additional durability.
What is the difference between lacquer and conversion varnish?
Lacquer has a high VOC content, making it harmful to the environment and to your health. It has limited scratch resistances, and the low solid content means its film building properties are poor. When compared with conversion varnish, lacquer just isn’t as durable.
Is conversion varnish the same as lacquer?
A lacquer is a single-component, pre-catalyzed, nitro-celluloid finishthat has 12-18% solids by volume. It is air-cured. A conversion varnish is a high-end solids, two-part post-catalyzed lacquer, which means a hardener must be mixed with this product for the application.
What is the difference between conversion varnish and polyurethane?
Conversion varnishes are typically only sprayed to a total of 4-5 mils dry film, while polyurethane can be built up to 10-12 mils dry film in some cases. This thicker layer also increases the durability of the coating. With grainy woods, you can more completely get into and seal pores.
What is a conversion varnish finish?
Conversion Varnish is a chemical-cured, fast-drying finish that consists of 2 parts: the finish and an acid catalyst that's added just before spraying. The catalyst creates a chemical reaction (cross-linking) in conjunction with added heat-curing that creates the hardest, most durable finish available on the market.
Can you paint over conversion varnish?
Yes, you absolutely can paint over varnish with latex -- provided you properly prepare the surface first.
Does conversion varnish yellow over time?
Well, there a quite a few finish options that do not leave your with yellowing whites. Conversion Varnish – these finishes are vastly superior to lacquer. Incredibly durable with a higher solids content than lacquer, a quality “CV” finish will also be much more scratch resistant and totally non-yellowing.
Is conversion varnish waterproof?
Varnish which includes polyurethane and conversion varnish is the most durable of the finishes. It protects well against heat, solvents, acids, wear, alkyds, and water.
How do you apply conversion varnish?
1:312:48Enduro Professional Conversion Varnish for High Durability - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTimes based on ideal conditions of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50% humidity are two-touch 5 to 10MoreTimes based on ideal conditions of 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50% humidity are two-touch 5 to 10 minutes to sand 30 to 45 minutes to reco 1 to 2 hours dry. Times can vary significantly.
Is conversion varnish good for kitchen cabinets?
When researching your options for your kitchen cabinet remodeling project, you should always look for a conversion varnish finish (also know as catalyzed varnish). Here is why we agree it's the best choice out there: Conversion varnish is transparent and the most durable finish available for wood.
How long does it take for conversion varnish to dry?
Conversion varnishes are 85% cured within about two days of their application. Pre-cats take about 3 to 4 weeks to achieve a cure that is worthy of any kind of performance.
Can you put polyurethane over conversion varnish?
You can apply the next coat of 2K polyurethane at any time without fear of wrinkling the previous coat, which contrasts sharply with the tight conversion-varnish recoat window. You just might need to sand the surface to create a mechanical bond if you wait too long.
Can you touch up conversion varnish?
Yes, when you can re-coat the whole surface after the repair is made with compatible and equal material, you have a good repair. When a lacquer or even a pre-cat is used in the repairs, it changes the whole integrity of the repair and the finish, and then it becomes a cosmetic repair.
Can I spray lacquer over conversion varnish?
Rule of thumb: You can generally apply the same type of coating over itself e.g., precat over precat, conversion varnish over conversion varnish, etc. Waterborne coatings can generally be applied over solvent-borne coatings, but not the other way around as they may lift/wrinkle the coating.
Which is better polyurethane or varnish?
While varnish provides value in its protection against ultraviolet light and natural durability, it is specifically designed for outdoor surfaces. Polyurethane on the other hand, offers durability and flexibility for interior projects.
What lasts longer varnish or polyurethane?
Varnish is less durable but it is more versatile and flexible. It is more durable on outdoor furniture than polyurethane because of its UV damage protection and water-resistance.
Which is harder varnish or polyurethane?
While it is similar to varnish in terms of application and appearance, polyurethane is generally harder and more abuse resistant, which means it is commonly used for sealing wood floors. Unfortunately, polyurethane is less flexible than varnish, so it may not be the best choice to use on wood pieces that move or flex.
Is varnish a polyurethane?
Polyurethane is a water- or oil-based plastic resin used for coating wood or as a wood finish. Varnish is an older type of finish made from resins, oils, and solvents, but very often, the term "varnish" is misused as a generic name for all types of wood finishing.
Why is conversion varnish bad?
The biggest problem you may encounter with conversion varnish will most likely be because of bad application. CV requires a greater skill in spraying and must be applied by a professional. On top of that, the shop temperature must be in the upper 60s for the first 2 days after application.
How much solid content is conversion varnish?
Conversion varnish has a higher solid content (about 40%-60% solids by volume), which means it doesn't need as many coats to build an appropriate film build. Easy to clean.
Do you need to mix lacquer?
Traditional lacquers, on the other hand, consist of a pre-catalyzed, nitro cellulose finish that's air-cured. Because it's pre-catalyzed, there's no need to mix any hardeners - making it a single component finish.
Is conversion varnish more durable than lacquer?
More durable. Conversion varnish has twice the dry film thickness as lacquer. This makes it more durable and less likely to scratch over time.
What Is Conversion Varnish and Why Should You Use It?
Conversion varnish is a protective coating that is applied to wooden furniture, floors, and other surfaces. It’s created from natural substances, including linseed oil, tung oil, and turpentine, with a clear finish that gives wood cabinets a lustrous, glossy sheen. This type of varnish can be used on all types of cabinetry, including kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and furniture such as armoires or chests of drawers. It is a specialized type of paint that is resistant to chipping, dents, and scratches. What’s more is that conversion varnishes protect the wood against UV rays, moisture, and accidental spills by sealing it to make it water-resistant while giving it an attractive look and preserves the original color.
What color is conversion varnish?
Conversion varnishes may be tinted to give the wood a warmer, richer appearance; for example, mahogany cabinets are often covered with varnish tints ranging from deep reds to light yellows and oranges. This helps match the warm tones of these woods with those found in kitchens or living rooms, as well as adding durability against scratches, wear and tear due to moisture exposure, rough handling during installation, or relocation processions.
Why use conversion varnish for cabinet doors?
In conclusion, conversion varnish for cabinet doors can be very beneficial because it offers many advantages over other types of finishes. It’s challenging yet easy to maintain and will make your cabinetry last longer no matter what material type you choose!
Why is conversion paint so expensive?
Since it is a finish that adds opacity to the paint to increase its durability, it gives the painted surface more excellent protection from water, dirt, and UV rays which can cause it to fade or peel over time. Conversion paints are more expensive than standard finishes because they contain more layers of varnish ; however, for high-quality cabinetry, it’s worth investing in sealing your cabinets with varnished conversion products.
What is the best finish for cabinet doors?
Polyurethane: Polyurethane is another coating option for finish cabinet doors. It also provides long-lasting protection against wear and tear, but it does not have any flexibility compared to conversion varnishes because it becomes brittle after drying out. It is also the most popular finish for cabinet doors. It has a slightly higher price than lacquer, but it’s also more durable, so you don’t need to apply as many layers. The only drawback of polyurethanes is that they have an unpleasant odor while using and can take up to 24 hours to dry thoroughly.
Why do we use varnish?
Varnishes create a protective barrier between water vapor in our environment (such as humidity) and the underlying material, which helps prevent mold growth on materials like furniture or trim boards where there are points of contact with water sources. That means less maintenance! Conversion varnishes also dry quickly, so you don’t have to wait long to apply them.
Do vinyl cabinets have to be varnished?
Vinyl-coated wood cabinets often have an acrylic coating on top as well as other protective seals and are then coated with conversion varnishes before being installed into their final homes. This extra layer ensures the lifespan of these cabinets.
What is conversion varnish?
Conversion varnish is a finish applied to wood cabinets that consists of two elements:
Common uses for conversion varnish
Like lacquer and polyurethane, conversion varnish is a popular finish option for showing off the natural or stained wood of:
Conversion varnish vs. lacquer vs. polyurethane
We’ll cover how conversion varnish differs from and is similar to two other common wood cabinet finishes: lacquer and polyurethane.
Why you should go with a water-borne coating over conversion varnish
At Cabinet Coatings, we want only the best finish for your cabinets. That’s why we use our water-based acrylic coating.
Need a quote to refinish your cabinets?
Contact us online or at 480-641-9611 to schedule an appointment. We’ll discuss how you want to update your cabinets, so we can give you the best finish options for your kitchen or bathroom. Then, we’ll give you an upfront quote that same day to upgrade your cabinets.
What is CV paint?
In Asia, CV is also referred to as acid catalyzed paint (AC). It is one of the widely used paints for US kitchen cabinet industries based on their advantages - fast dry, high durability, passing all KCMA requirements, and good yellowing resistance. The CV is very easy to use - long pot life, and good sanding property.
What is the best reducer for spraying?
Xylene or Toluene are the recommended reducers. The above reduction percentages are pretty much right on, however. CV is great for some applications. However, where field installation is involved and there may be extensive touch-up or field spraying, it's not such a great choice.
Can you use CV for multiple coats?
If putting on multiple coats, build with gloss as a sealer. Then for the last coat, put on the sheen desired. CV is used by all the big manufacturers in this business. Look at a Conastoga or Merdian finished door--they both use conversion vanish. Do they look "whitish"? Almost all my work is very high end and my finish looks it. The only time I use lacquer now is on my low-end work.
Can lacquer be used in a finish room?
No finish except conventional lacquer will tolerate this cold of a finish room without balking.
Can CVs be used with polyester?
It works! CVs are a ratio and temperature reaction. Change one or the other or both and the reaction stops for now. This won't work with urethane or polyesters--they must crosslink at temperature (65 or over) or you will have problems .
Can I use S-W water white conversion varnish?
Your S-W rep must be on drugs. S-W's Water White Conversion Varnish is and has been an industry standard for twenty years. It absolutely is the best choice for kitchen cabinets and vinyl sealer/lacquer topcoat isn't even a close second. Vinyl with CAB acrylic might be okay, but the CV is clearly the way to go. I disagree about using lacquer thinner with the CV. Xylene or Toluene are the recommended reducers. The above reduction percentages are pretty much right on, however.
