Lacquer vs. Stain Varnish

Composition

• Stain varnish and lacquer have different chemical compositions. Stain varnish is a commercial product that combines two separate wood finishing products: regular wood stain (a colorant or dye for wood) and varnish (a chemical sealant, usually polyurethane). Lacquer is a chemical sealant made from natural or synthetic resins, such as acrylic or nitrocellulose, but often has very little or no dye.

Uses

• Carpenters and furniture manufacturers use stain varnish and lacquer for different purposes. Stain varnish, because it contains dye, is a dual-purpose product. It both colors and seals unfinished wood items. Lacquer only seals wood, it is not intended to dye wood, though it may impart some color.

Application

• The process for applying stain varnish can be slightly different than the process for applying lacquer. Craftspeople often apply stain varnish by brushing it directly onto the wooden item, then allowing it to dry before applying another coat. A carpenter may also brush lacquer onto a piece of furniture, but she could also spray it on, as there are several brands of spray-on lacquer in the market.

Colors and Durability

• Stain varnish comes in several neutral hues designed to match the colors of different types of natural wood. These colors range from light, honey brown to deep, mahogany brown and every shade of brown in between. Lacquer, as stated earlier, often contains no dye, but for the brands that do include dye, it is often a small amount of brown or another color. Lacquer is also designed to protect wood stains and is, therefore, more durable and resistant to weather, wear and damage.