Oil based laquer

Lacquer can be described as a transparent paint. It consists of two or three components: binder, solvent and optionally filler. With oil-based lacquer all basic ingredients are harmful. Oil based lacquer, also known as transparent alkyd paint, most of the time uses alkyd as a binder and white spirit as solvent.

Oil paints and lacquer contain VOC’s which can be harmful for human health. Therefore in some countries the use of oil based paint and lacquer for professionals is only allowed for application outside. For every oil based lacquer there is usually a water based alternative that is also of good quality.

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The life cycle	Pro	Con
		High energy Oil based finishes require twice as much energy to produce as water based ones. Show Alternatives » Alternatives finishing Low Energy Beeswax Chalk paint Clay and loam paint Edge band wood Flour paint Lime paint Wood filler (putty) High footprint Oil based finishes are the most environmentally damaging to produce Show Alternatives » Alternatives finishing Low footprint Beeswax Clay and loam paint CNC engraving Flour paint Laser engraving Tung oil Veneer (wood) Wood filler (putty)

		Time consuming It dries slower than water based paints, but faster than some natural paints. Show Alternatives » Alternatives finishing Quick Acrylic paint Chalk paint Tung oil Water based laquer Water based paint Toxicity Contains VOCs. In US, Under 50 g/l VOCs is considered low (1). Pregnant women should not paint with oil. They should also steer clear of an oil-painted room for at least two days after painting and properly ventilate the room before bringing home the baby (2). Show Alternatives » Alternatives finishing Non toxic Acrylic paint Beeswax Chalk paint Clay and loam paint Flour paint Lime paint Linseed oil (boiled) Milk paint (casein) Shellac Tung oil Veneer (wood) Water based paint Wood filler (putty)

	Long lifespan It is highly durable and it adheres to a variety of surfaces (1). For application outside most painters prefer alkyd paint because the lacquer evens out which results in a smoother result.	Toxicity It can offgas VOCs. Show Alternatives » Alternatives finishing Non toxic 2 parts PU lacquer Acrylic paint Beeswax Chalk paint Clay and loam paint CNC engraving Edge band plastic Edge band wood Epoxy filler Flour paint Furniture wax Laser engraving Lime paint Linseed oil (boiled) Milk paint (casein) Polyester filler Polyurethane varnish Shellac Tung oil Water based laquer

		Difficult recycling They are considered a hazardous waste material that cannot be disposed easily. Show Alternatives » Alternatives finishing Easy recycling Milk paint (casein) Wood filler (putty)