Wood Polish: PU / Melamine / Lacquer / What / How / Dos / Dont's.
Wood Polish is one of the most playable areas where people who do not have any idea , get scammed by Painter and Uncouth Paint Retailers.
People spend Lacs of Rupees in getting the best wood for our homes. You take lots of suggestions and check out the quality of wood at various places before making a purchase of wood.But what happens when it finally comes to wood polishing ? Following are some tips for a layman to understand.
PU Polish :
Suited for Exteriors and Interiors. This system will last a long time in exteriors if done the way it is to be done, but sadly that's not the case.
It comes in various brands such as Asian Paints, Berger, Akzo Noble (ICI Dulux), Jeevanjor, MRF and many more.
It is commonly available as Solvent (Thinner Based) in Two Component System with Base and a Hardener. Usual Ratio for which is 80:20 or 90:10. (Base : Hardener)
PU Polish comes in Matt , Glossy or Semi Gloss Finish
PU Systems : Anywhere from Rs 400/- to Rs 650/-
PU Thinner : Rs 120/- to Rs 150/-
PU Sealer : Rs 400/- to Rs 500/-
(Prices are approx Please check current pricing)
Coverage of PU system Per Liter : 25 to 35 Sq.ft Per Liter
Application : Spray Application Only. In Some cases may be hand applied but this compromises on the finish.
PU Polish : Latest Innovations.
For the last couple of years Water based PU systems are available in the market of Imported varieties and also now locally manufactured by some companies.
The water-based PU system only required Water to be dissolved and does not need any hardener . So it does not get wasted also if it is not sprayed after dissolving in water.
This kind of PU system is especially suggested for Outdoor use like main gates and Wood panel which are in total exteriors.
Can be sprayed, brushed, roller applied and hand applied
The best is Waterbased PU systems have very low VOC or harmful compounds. As there is no solvent use, there is no smell also.
Specially suited if you have kids in the family and Polish work has to happen.
Wood Polish is one of the most playable areas where people who do not have any idea , get scammed by Painter and Uncouth Paint Retailers.
People spend Lacs of Rupees in getting the best wood for our homes. You take lots of suggestions and check out the quality of wood at various places before making a purchase of wood.But what happens when it finally comes to wood polishing ? Following are some tips for a layman to understand.
PU Polish :
Suited for Exteriors and Interiors. This system will last a long time in exteriors if done the way it is to be done, but sadly that's not the case.
It comes in various brands such as Asian Paints, Berger, Akzo Noble (ICI Dulux), Jeevanjor, MRF and many more.
It is commonly available as Solvent (Thinner Based) in Two Component System with Base and a Hardener. Usual Ratio for which is 80:20 or 90:10. (Base : Hardener)
PU Polish comes in Matt , Glossy or Semi Gloss Finish
Problem areas in method of Application :
- Painter using Lac Dana as a base and for setting color. As Lac Dana is not UV resistant , the PU finish will come off as it will peel off due to Lac Dana base preparation. Lac Dana degrades faster in sunlight. Instead of lasting 3 or 4 years the PU Polish will come off within a Year or so of the application.
- Painter using NC Sanding Sealer instead of PU Sealer , to save labor as it is easy to sand and also cheaper instead of PU Sealer . This leads to PU Polish coming off in Exterior conditions due to degradation in Sun light. NC Sanding sealer should not be at all used for application of PU Polish in Exteriors. Again, it won't last more than a year in sunlight if the polish base is made by using "NC Sanding sealer".
- Improper Thinner being used. There is a very important reason why companies provided specific thinner for specific Polish Systems. To cut cost Painters use local quality NC thinner for PU Polish , this may lead to improper build up of film and effect the true finish on final curing. As the specific thinner for each system, whether it is PU or Melamine is designed to support the proper dissolution for material and also proper cross linking (curing or drying) to occur for expected quality of finish to form.
PU Systems : Anywhere from Rs 400/- to Rs 650/-
PU Thinner : Rs 120/- to Rs 150/-
PU Sealer : Rs 400/- to Rs 500/-
(Prices are approx Please check current pricing)
Coverage of PU system Per Liter : 25 to 35 Sq.ft Per Liter
Application : Spray Application Only. In Some cases may be hand applied but this compromises on the finish.
PU Polish : Latest Innovations.
For the last couple of years Water based PU systems are available in the market of Imported varieties and also now locally manufactured by some companies.
The water-based PU system only required Water to be dissolved and does not need any hardener . So it does not get wasted also if it is not sprayed after dissolving in water.
This kind of PU system is especially suggested for Outdoor use like main gates and Wood panel which are in total exteriors.
Can be sprayed, brushed, roller applied and hand applied
The best is Waterbased PU systems have very low VOC or harmful compounds. As there is no solvent use, there is no smell also.
Specially suited if you have kids in the family and Polish work has to happen.
Hi, I wanted to know how measurements are made for a window that is ploshed.. For example I have a 6' wide by 5' heigh window, and has 3 shutters..1..now should I go ahead as running foot of each length and width or should I take it as a whole of 6'X5' and not subtract the window glass panes? 2. The contractor has give then price in sft but he says even if he ,measures in rft price ewill be the same. I am not sure on the measurement part can you kindly assist, or is there a co-efficient for multiplying the rift? 3. Similarly I have hexagonal rods for the windows, how shld that be calculated, I was told that the whole window has to be multiplied 1.5 times as in 6X5X1.5? is that so? Kindly assist. Many thanks ~ KC
ReplyDeleteFor windows you need to negotiate on the lines of running ft cost and for doors you may use per sq.ft. cost. that way you will you be able to get a better pricing structure.
ReplyDeleteHimy home is ready to be painted it is plastered with sand and cement and the surface is medium smooth..please suggest me the entire procedure to get economical and best options...no water resistent is used in plaster
ReplyDeleteIf its exterior.
Delete> Use coarse putty.
> Or use polymerised cement sand slurry to smooth it out. This is basically 1 Kg SBR chemical added to one bag of cement used to make a mortar for smoothening out plastered surface.
> After finishing apply three coats of any good exterior grade paint directly first coat thinned with water 1:1
second and third coat thinned 15% to 20% water
Dear sir,i have also recently done a false ceiling in my hall using gypsum board.what do u suggest.acrylic putty or any other putty for finishing.the false ceiling designers have suggested acrylic putty for it.till now only used pop at joints as fiiling to level the surface.
ReplyDeletesumit
Yes acrylic putty is a better bet
DeleteHi I want to know that my painter suggest me to use melamine for interior and pu for exterior any advice on this from your side as an expert????
ReplyDeleteWork must have finished by now. Yes he was correct.
DeleteHello!!we chose Burma teak veneer for all the furniture made by the carpenter. We were happy with the shade until the polish began. The polish is giving it a dark color unlike what we had imagined. Hence, if we just get the veneer sanded and leave it, would there be a problem? Or can you suggest anything that the colour of veneer remains pretty much as is. ( before polish). Need an immediate suggestion.
ReplyDeleteHi Poonam
ReplyDeleteYou want a natural finish and also if I understand right is open grain feel.
So you can always for a for a Matt finish water based PU coating.
Its clear and seal the wood surface in an inconspicuous manner.
The Water-based PU will be available in Asian, Berger or similar brands.
Hello Sir,
ReplyDeleteWe are planning Exterior painting for Our Four Story Building. We are attempting to avoid seepage to Interior. We had some discussions with couple of paint manufacturers and looking for some help in Choosng right paint.
Some of the paints we are looking at are Raincoat (Dr. Fixit) , 2 coats and Primer Primaseal. Comany rep indicates that this is almost like a coating. Apex Ultima Protect or similar introduced about 3 months before in Mumbai, Jotun's Jota shield extreme. All reps have stressed upon surface preparation & crack filling and claim that paints have properties which allow elongation with temperature and shall not allow seepage to interior. All the parties are willing to go for triparty agreement & warranty for 7 to 10 years.
To us properties are looking almost similar.
What we like to know from you is , do we treat all these at Par or thee are specific advantages in use of each of these and in general recommendations in selecting exterior wall paint. (old building- already painted 3 times with app interval of 7 to 8 years).
Thank you for your assistance,
JR
Hello
DeleteIf there is already an existing seepage or moisture issue it has to be treated by a professional waterproofing guy.
If there is no existing issue and you are going to take it as a precaution all of these products are almost similar.
I would have more confidence on Jotun brand as they have a great background in protection coatings.
Please do look into the warranty papers once again there are loopholes like "faulty workman ship" or applicator issues that frees company from any warranty claim.
best
The base work including repair of cracks and terrace parapet wall joints, proper repair with polymerised mortar is the key.
Thank you , Sir .We have water seepage issues in some flats . We are considering crack filling plaster repairs etc. and with good quality of paint we hope we shall succeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again for your comments,
JR
Hello Sir
ReplyDeleteI am going for Pu polish in both interior as well as exterior wood. But my painter has suggested using lacdan and spirit along with asian Woodtech stainer for giving color to wood. I had read above that lacdana is not suggested. Plese comment and can we use spirit .
Thanks
Nitin Singla
Punjab
9988886343
No Not at all suggested.
DeleteStaining With tinner stained & PU sealer
PU Sealer
PU Topcoat