The popularity of natural interiors is explained by their natural beauty and complete harmlessness to human health.

An integral part of this type of home decoration is wooden furniture: if it is not additionally coated with a protective layer of paint or furniture varnish, it will quickly become cracked and deformed. The latter finishing option is more preferable, as it allows you to preserve (and sometimes emphasize) the natural beauty of the wood.

Purpose

Furniture varnish is a film-forming composition intended for the treatment of wooden bases. It is designed to perform the following tasks:

• protect surfaces from mechanical influences;
• make wooden products glossy (shiny) or matte;
• emphasize the natural beauty of wood (especially valuable species);
• create an impenetrable barrier to moisture, which can cause the wood to dry out or swell;
• protect from biological influences (fungus or harmful insects);
• increase the service life of expensive wooden furniture.

Varnishes for wooden furniture can be slightly tinted by adding pigment, or a transparent version can be used. They must be applied in several layers to ensure reliable protection.

Main varieties depending on the effect

Furniture varnish for wood is classified according to a number of characteristics. The first of these is the effect imparted to the treated surface. According to this criterion, glossy, matte, colored and transparent varieties of material can be distinguished.

A feature of a glossy or semi-gloss finish is its special shine and highlighting of the wood structure. This finish lasts a very long time, but does not mask flaws in the base well. Recommended for use in gloomy, shaded rooms to optimize the atmosphere.

If the purpose of finishing is to create an emphasis on the naturalness of wooden furniture, it is recommended to use matte or semi-matte varnish. Before varnishing, the base must be thoroughly sanded. This type of finish hides surface defects well and is easy to maintain.

The most common type of varnish for wooden furniture is a transparent substance. Most often it is used for processing valuable wood species (protection from moisture and other harmful influences).

The colored composition is used for varnishing inexpensive types of wood (pine, linden, birch), helping to increase the contrast of their structure. An excellent option for those cases when it is necessary to update furniture by creating a protective film on its surface. Colored varnishes are available for sale in a wide range of colors, so there are usually no problems with choosing the appropriate shade.

Craquelure varnish helps to simulate decorative aging with the appearance of cracks. Furniture items with a craquelure effect look best in retro and Provence interior styles.

Division by composition

The second important criterion for classifying furniture varnishes is their chemical composition.

Oil

In the old days, the basis of this group of materials was natural resin. Later it was replaced with natural oil and artificial additives. Oil varnishes are characterized by a significant variety of colors. Matte furniture varnish is especially beautiful.

Alkyd

Using alkyd varnish, you can create a durable and transparent moisture-resistant coating on the surface of furniture. The substance is made on the basis of alkyd resins and organic solvents. The applied layer dries for quite a long time, almost three days (although there are also quick-drying modifications with a drying time of no more than 24 hours). The application tool is usually a roller or spray gun.

Water based

A very convenient option for finishing wood is water-based furniture varnish. One of the varieties of this line of materials is acrylic varnish, after application of which a durable film appears. The finish hardens gradually as the water evaporates. Water-based varnishes do not emit unpleasant odors and are absolutely harmless to human health. This is the best option for wooden furniture that will be in a children's room.

The undoubted advantages of these materials include good drying speed and fire safety (the substance does not burn at all). The coating also has a significant weak point - furniture varnished in this way does not receive proper protection from moisture. For this reason, it is recommended to treat wooden products installed in dry rooms with water-based varnishes.

Alcohol

The main components here are alcohol and natural resins. After applying alcohol varnish, a durable shiny coating is formed. Like water-based ones, these materials resist moisture quite weakly. Most often these furniture varnishes are used to coat polished bases.

Polyurethane

A very durable and wear-resistant material, suitable for processing any wooden furniture located outdoors or indoors. Due to its outstanding performance qualities, even floors are coated with polyurethane varnish. Although such finishing costs a pretty penny, the money invested is fully compensated by its excellent performance and decorative characteristics.

Nitrolac

Nitrovarnishes contain resins, colloxylin, plasticizers and solvents. After application, a very durable layer is formed on the surface of the wood, drying in about 3-4 hours. Due to the volatile toxins contained in the material, it is permissible to work only in a respirator and gloves. This varnish can be used for garden furniture that will be placed outside, for benches, etc.

How to choose unscented varnish

When deciding which varnish is best for wooden furniture, it is recommended to pay attention to the most harmless compositions that do not have an unpleasant odor. This is not so easy to do, because materials based on organic solvents usually smell very strongly. The disadvantage of durable and moisture-resistant alkyd compositions is their high toxicity. Similar characteristics are also inherent in nitrocellulose quick-drying varnishes.

Polyurethane materials, despite their popularity and wide application, also contain toxic solvents. The best option for odorless furniture varnish is a water-based acrylic coating. It has virtually no restrictions on use, being characterized by complete harmlessness, durability, fire safety and high decorative characteristics. Wooden products processed with its help retain their naturalness and natural texture.

Aerosol-type compositions

As a rule, furniture varnishes require additional dilution before use. To facilitate the work of paint and varnish manufacturers, a special line of materials in the form of a spray has been developed. The substance is poured into sealed cans under factory conditions, from where it is subsequently sprayed by aerosol. This saves time on preparing the composition and money on purchasing the necessary tools (brushes, rollers).

If the furniture is still reliable, but has lost its appearance, then it can be easily updated using varnish or paint. But before you do this, you should choose a certain type of coverage. The decision depends on what furniture it will be applied to, as well as on the preferences of its owner.

In many stores, furniture varnish is presented in a wide range, so it is difficult for a beginner to understand its types. To choose a specific option, you need to know the features of this composition.

Types of varnish

Among the types of varnish, the following options stand out:

• oil coatings,
• alkyd,
• alcohol,
• nitrocellulose,
• alkyd-cerambide,
• polyester,
• polyurethane,
• acrylic,
• water-based polyurethane.

Each of them has different properties, so before you varnish the furniture, you need to take time to choose the most suitable option.

Oily

Such compositions were initially made on the basis of natural resins, but then artificial components with natural oils began to be added to them. This made it possible to reduce the cost of production of these products and make them accessible to most buyers.

But after the creation of more modern types, oil varnishes began to be used to cover the floor, so despite the low price, they should not be applied to furniture.

Alkyd

This type is the most common and is a solution containing synthetic resins and a solvent. Films of such compositions are transparent and hard. When applied to wood, its color practically does not change. Moreover, such coatings have good adhesive properties and are able to withstand the effects of moisture.

Sometimes this type of composition is called oil, but this is incorrect, since their production involves the use of other substances. At the same time, their properties are superior to the varnishes described above.

Alcohol varnishes

This type of furniture coating is made from natural resins and alcohol and has the following features:

• good adhesion,
• mechanical strength,
• increased shine.

With all these advantages, they have a rather serious drawback - instability to moisture. They are used to coat various wooden surfaces that require polishing.

Alkyd-cerambide varnishes

This type of coating dries only after the introduction of acidic hardeners immediately before application to the surface. But it is worth remembering that after this the varnish can only be used for a short period of time, after which it loses its properties.

This varnish forms a very hard film, characterized by increased wear resistance and the ability to withstand the effects of moisture. The presence of such characteristics allows the varnish to be used not only for furniture, but also for parquet.

Polyurethane varnish

Such coatings are characterized by high strength and resistance to mechanical wear. Due to this, it is often used for flooring. The high price of the varnish is justified by its performance characteristics. But when applying, you should carefully read the instructions to avoid mistakes. The same composition was developed on a water basis.

Properties of water-based varnish for wood

Water-based varnishes are suitable for wooden furniture. Hardening of such a composition occurs as the liquid evaporates. Thanks to this, there is no odor during the entire process.

Water-based varnish has the following features:

• environmental friendliness,
• shorter drying time,
• uniform distribution over the surface and no changes in color.

But this varnish also has a limitation - it should not be used on hygroscopic surfaces. One of the main features of a water-based coating is a reduction in the harshness of the texture, which hides many imperfections.

Transparent or colored

The most popular are transparent coatings, which are used for furniture made from expensive types of wood. This allows you to preserve the natural texture of the material. Colored varnish is applied to less valuable wood and performs the following functions:

• protecting the surface from damage,
• color improvement,
• creating a more attractive appearance.

There are many colors of varnish, so the choice depends only on the preferences of the owner of the furniture being restored. When purchasing, you need to take into account the depth of penetration of the composition, as well as the level of gloss; the less it is, the lighter the surface will be.

White and black colors are becoming increasingly popular. The first of them is suitable for light types of wood, and the second is able to give the furniture austerity and a special gloss.

Matte or glossy

To make the wood surface look more natural, you should pay attention to matte furniture varnish. When using such a composition, it is worth remembering that after application the surface must be sanded. But if you choose this option, the owner of the wooden product will be pleased with its appearance, since the varnish helps hide imperfections. At the same time, caring for furniture with such a coating is simplified.

If the room is quite dark, then you should choose a glossy varnish. It will not only provide shine to the surface, but will also highlight the beauty of the wooden surface. But it is worth noting that the damage on it is more noticeable than on the matte one.

How to remove old varnish from furniture

In order to varnish furniture, you first need to thoroughly remove the old coating. To do this, you need to purchase a remover - a powder composition that mixes with water and forms the desired substance.

Before removing old varnish from furniture, please note that under no circumstances should the coating be removed:

• sandpaper,
• spatula,
• with a knife.

Using these tools without additional means will only damage the tree. Usually 3 kg of remover paste is enough to remove varnish from one meter of surface. The composition holds well even on vertical planes and does not slide down. After application, you should wait only 4 hours, after which the paste is removed.

Attention ! You should remove the remover only after it turns brown or brown.

This is done by removing the varnish with a spatula. To avoid damaging the surface, you need to press the tool carefully, otherwise you risk damaging the wood. To remove traces of rinse, it is enough to use warm water without any additions. Having completed all the described actions, you must wait until the wood is completely dry (this usually happens within 24 hours), after wiping it with a dry cloth.

If after these actions the surface has defects, they can be eliminated with a special putty for this material, and then sanded with fine-grained sandpaper. At the same time, do not forget that after this you need to thoroughly clean the furniture from any dust that has formed. When grinding, movements should be made only in accordance with the direction of the fibers of the material, otherwise the appearance of the surface can be spoiled.

How to varnish old furniture

Before you varnish old furniture, you should choose the tool to use. The composition is applied to the surface in 2 or even 3 layers with a brush or a special swab. To make it, you need to wrap a small amount of cotton wool soaked in varnish in linen fabric. With this device you need to carefully and evenly apply the composition to the surface, making movements in any direction.

After the first layer has dried, you can begin to apply the second. Drying usually occurs within 40 minutes, so you should not perform this action before this period of time. If a brush is used, its movement should only occur in the direction of the wood grain. Work should be carried out in a ventilated area, free from drafts. It is also undesirable for the drying varnish to be exposed to direct sunlight.

How to repaint lacquered furniture

Repainting furniture occurs in several stages:

1. Removing varnish and polishing. You need to clean the surface until there are no visible irregularities left on it, which can be removed with sandpaper.
2. Primer. At this stage, a special composition is applied, which serves as the basis for the putty. After priming, you need to wait a certain period of time for the surface to dry completely.
3. Putty. Typically, universal waterproof compounds are used that are resistant to many types of paint. The putty is applied to areas where there are cracks and other surface imperfections.
4. Painting. The composition can be applied with a brush, but the best option is to use a special sprayer. This allows you to apply the paint evenly over the entire surface.

Lacquered interior items look elegant and expensive. They are resistant to chips, scratches, cracks, insect damage and rot. Furniture varnish is made on different bases: water, acrylic, oil, resin with organic additives. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and application features. Coatings are offered with a matte or glossy finish, which affects the appearance of the finished product.

Furniture items made of wood and particle boards are actively used in home and office interiors. Under the influence of external negative factors, products can become deformed, crack, or become moldy. To protect and prevent loss of attractive appearance, special furniture varnishes are used. The products have a film-forming property, which manifests itself after applying the composition to the surface of the furniture and its complete drying. The finished product is coated with varnish at the final stage of processing.

Furniture varnishes can have different shades, matte or glossy finish, but their coating remains transparent or translucent. This allows you not to hide, but, on the contrary, to emphasize the natural beauty of the wood structure.

Depending on the degree of gloss of the coating, the following types of product are distinguished:

• Matte furniture varnish is practical and does not show fingerprints or stains at all. Matte surfaces are appropriate in business and office premises; they are combined with chrome fittings;
• Glossy coatings have a maximum degree of light reflection. Furnishings with a glossy shine often become the main accents of the interior. They look noble and elegant;
• Semi-gloss and semi-matte varnishes are universal. They are suitable for decorating any furniture, have a moderate shine and do not show much hand marks;
• Some products are suitable for garden furniture; they are resistant to moisture and contain substances that protect against the negative effects of UV rays.

Glossy

Semi-gloss

Varieties

There are several types of varnishes, differing in composition, appearance of the coating and degree of environmental friendliness. To evaluate which product is better in each specific case, you need to familiarize yourself with all types.

Oily

The products are obtained by mixing linseed oil with turpentine and hardened resin. Today, to reduce the cost of the product, natural components are replaced with synthetic ones. The solvent component is white spirit.

The product hardens after the solvent evaporates, forming a very durable coating. High-fat oil varnishes that are durable, water-resistant, and elastic are suitable for garden furniture. Interior furniture can be coated with products with a low oil content and a high percentage of resins. Such compositions dry quickly. The surface coated with low-fat varnish can be sanded to a glossy sheen.

The oil product is sold ready-made and does not require mixing. If it is necessary to add matting or tinting components, they are carefully dissolved in the varnish. The product has a universal purpose; maintenance of lacquered furniture is minimal.

Nitrocellulose

The product is obtained from a mixture of organic components, resin and colloxylin. Nitrocellulose does not dissolve in water; a special component is used for this. This varnish is suitable for treating any wood furniture, including products for home and outdoor use.

After applying the coating, it dries completely in 60 minutes at a temperature of about 20 C. The resulting film has high hardness and smoothness. The product can be described as odorless and quick-drying. It is very popular in industrial and home applications.

Water-based products

Water-based varnish for furniture is popular due to its high environmental friendliness. The product does not contain toxins and is odorless. When applied to the surface of furniture, the varnish dries quickly, the film becomes durable and highly elastic. It is suitable for decorating furniture for any purpose, including children's furniture. The water base of the product ensures its high fire safety.

Water resources are divided into several types:

• One-component,
• Two-component,
• Acrylic.

Two-component products containing polyurethane are stronger than those made with a single component.

A relative disadvantage of water-based varnish is its low moisture resistance. Therefore, they do not cover garden furniture and bathroom furnishings.

Acrylic

The product is obtained by dissolving acrylic resin in water. The composition also includes several types of solvents called coagulating agents. They transform the resin into a durable film after the water evaporates. In a can, acrylic furniture varnish is milky white in color, but when dried it forms a transparent, colorless coating.

The product can only be used in conditions of high temperature and low humidity. Dampness and low temperature can lead to the varnish not drying and the film not hardening. The product is quick-drying, so the painted product can be used within a day. The surface of wood with such a coating does not turn yellow over time and retains its natural texture. These varnishes can be used in children's, healthcare and social institutions.

Polyurethane

The products contain polyesters and diisocyanates, they are divided into one- and two-component ones. Mixed type products require the components to be combined before use. Polyurethane varnishes have increased coating strength and elasticity.

The treated furniture surface will not be subject to abrasion; it is resistant to mechanical damage. The transparent coating does not darken for many years and is applicable to all types of furniture. Polyurethane varnish is superior in wear resistance even to compositions with a high oil content.

Alkyd

The products are created on the basis of alkyd resins of synthetic origin. Varnishes are easily applied to any surface, including natural wood. The coating is moisture resistant and can withstand intense humidity and temperature changes.

You can coat not only cabinets and beds with this varnish, but also garden furniture, built-in furniture for open or closed verandas. Alkyd compositions are superior to oil and acrylic compositions in many respects.

Craquelure

A special type of furniture varnish is craquelure varnish. The product is used to achieve an aged effect. Achieving a similar effect is possible due to the difference in the drying time of the product itself and the finishing coating that is applied to it. The varnish composition dehydrates the paint with which the product is treated, causing cracks to form on the surface.

Only dry surfaces can be varnished. A layer of paint is applied to the slightly dried varnish layer. To achieve a fine-textured pattern, you need to dry the varnish layer longer. It is recommended to apply this coating to products that are intended to be placed in an antique or vintage style. For the restoration of antique products, natural-based shellacs are used.

Selection rules for different materials

Varnish products can not only give furniture an attractive appearance, but also extend their service life. However, it is important to choose the right product. Before choosing a jar, it is recommended to evaluate the following aspects:

• For home use, you should not purchase professional products. A beginner will not be able to achieve a factory application;
• Assess the degree of wear and tear of the furniture structure. For painting products or their parts that bear the maximum load, two-component polyurethane compositions are chosen. This is true for tables and chairs. When decorating cabinet doors, frames, and trim, you can use a nitrocellulose product or water-based furniture varnish;
• Depending on the purpose of the piece of furniture and the conditions in which it will be used, the most resistant compositions or water-based products are chosen. For living room furnishings, the most suitable are oil, acrylic and alkyd products. With repeated cleanings, they prevent cracks from appearing. Outdoor furniture is coated with products containing antibacterial additives to prevent the appearance of rot and mold.

When choosing, it is important to consider the period of time after which the piece of furniture will need to be used. If you only have 4-6 hours, then use a water-based product. Treatment with an industrial hair dryer helps speed up the drying process.

If you plan to varnish products made from wood panels, models with figured cutouts, panels, then it is possible to use varnish in an aerosol. It requires no mixing or brushes to paint. A wide palette of shades allows you to choose both the darkest and whitest products.

The product applies equally smoothly to smooth and carved surfaces and does not leave unpainted areas or streaks. Lacquered furniture acquires shine, looks elegant and is easy to clean from dirt. It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer and cost of the product. The cheapest products will not create a durable, durable coating. Products that are suitable for outdoor use have the maximum cost. Products for internal use, such as oil products, take a long time to dry, but form a film that is resistant to abrasion.

At the request of the consumer, a transparent or tinted varnish is chosen. Colorless products are suitable for products made from expensive solid wood that has a beautiful natural texture: beech, oak, mahogany. It provides the necessary protection, but does not hide natural beauty. For products made from inexpensive species: pine, walnut, birch, colored compounds can be used. They will give the furniture a more stylish appearance and make the interior richer. The proposed color palette includes a wide variety of wood shades, as well as white and black, and other colors from the RAL palette. Depending on the degree of penetration into the wood, choose a product a shade darker or lighter than the desired one.

Lacquered furniture is unlikely to ever go out of fashion. Despite the fact that many different materials for making furniture have now appeared on the market, a lacquered living room or bedroom will always be very popular. Furniture varnish, which covers not only various pieces of furniture, but also other wood products, allows you to protect the surface of the wood from various damages; in addition, many types of varnish can protect wood from exposure to water.

What types of varnishes are there?

Experts identify several groups of varnishes that can be used to treat various surfaces.

The first group includes varnishes that are used to treat floors. The second group includes the so-called ship varnishes, this type of varnish can be used to coat wooden products that are located in, the third, most popular type of varnish includes furniture varnishes and varnishes that are used for finishing wooden surfaces, which are located both indoors and outdoors.

Before, how to choose furniture varnish , you need to pay attention to many parameters.

First of all, furniture varnishes are divided into single-component and multi-component; many of us used two-component varnishes when sanding parquet. When choosing a varnish for furniture, you should also pay attention to the varnish-forming base; currently there is an abundance of varnishes on the market that are made on the basis of polyacrylic, polyurethane, epoxy and other bases.

An important criterion that must be taken into account when choosing a varnish is its environmental friendliness. Most water-based varnishes are practically odorless and can be applied to the surface of furniture without using various respiratory protection devices. Most varnishes that use organic solvents have a sharp, unpleasant odor. In addition, furniture varnishes that do not contain organic solvents are...

Currently, you can find both domestic and foreign paint and varnish materials on the market. For domestic paints and varnishes there is a certain marking, which consists of four groups of characters.

The first group of numbers indicates the type of paint and varnish material, it can be varnish or enamel, in some cases the pigment that is included in the varnish is indicated.

The second group of symbols describes the type of film-forming substance that is used in the manufacture of varnish; safe varnishes include varnishes that are made on the basis of natural resins, for example, oil, rosin or water-dispersion.

The third group of symbols describes the purpose of the varnish, for example, weather-resistant, limited weather-resistant, water-repellent, heat-resistant or special.

The fourth group of symbols encodes the drying oil on the basis of which the paint is made or the plant where the paint and varnish material was made.Also, for most varnishes, the marking indicates their type - glossy, semi-gloss, matte or semi-matte.

The process of varnishing furniture has a rather complex technology; if you want to restore it, it is best to contact companies that have extensive experience in this field; as a rule, this work is carried out in specialized workshops.

Before you start varnishing furniture, you must clearly describe the parts that you plan to restore. Next, the parts must be removed from the furniture; if disassembling the furniture is impossible, you must carefully pack those furniture parts that cannot be varnished.

Before you start varnishing furniture with the chosen furniture varnish, you need to clean off the old layer of varnish and paint, why carefully sand the piece of furniture and smooth out all the chips and cracks that have formed on the wood during use. Before starting paint and varnish work, it is necessary to remove all dust that may remain after sanding wooden materials from the surface of the furniture.

Next, you need to cover the furniture with stain or paint, which can be selected according to RAL; after painting the furniture parts, you need to cover the furniture with two layers of varnish; as a rule, the varnish is applied to the surface of the furniture by roller or spraying; after applying the varnish, the furniture is dried in a special chamber, which allows create the perfect coverage. As a rule, the drying time for furniture varnish is 24 hours.

Reminds you that even after varnishing furniture, you should remember that polished furniture should be cared for using special products that do not leave streaks or scratches on the surface of the varnish, and also add shine to the furniture.