Believe it or not, lacquers are the same as varnishes. The trade often use the term ‘lacquer’, while the general public tend to use the term ‘varnish’. Acrylic varnish

First there’s Shellac varnish, something we’re asked about frequently. But what exactly isShellac? It’s actually a natural resin secreted by an insect called a lac beetle, which lives in Indian and Thai forests. The substance comes exclusively from the female insect and is scraped off the tree branches, processed into dry flakes then mixed with ethanol to create a liquid. The end product has lots of interesting functions; it is used as a food glaze and colouring as well as a wood varnish. Emulsion Paint. You can apply varnish over emulsion paint, but it’s better to use water-based varnish. Emulsion paint is water-based and is more compatible with water-based sealers.Use appropriate paint brushes and rollers to apply the paint. A paint brush is best for cutting in around the edges while a paint roller is best for covering large areas.

Latex Paint. You can apply varnish over latex paint as the paint is water-based and doesn’t have a glossy coating that can prevent adhesion. Just like certain waxes and paint, varnishing is another way for you to protect wood. However, varnishing isn't always the most appropriate approach depending on the project and outcome you desire. Here are some commonly asked questions about what you can and can’t varnish: Can you varnish over paint? Floor varnish enhances the natural colour and grain of wooden floors Wood varnish guide How to varnish wood? Clean the paint finish to remove dust, dirt, and debris that can show once the varnish dries. Since most varnish types have a transparent finish, they won’t hide imperfections on a surface. In essence, varnish is basically a paint without the pigment applied to it. The majority of these are polyurethane based resins and are solvent based (similar to oil paints). Acrylic varnishes, although water based, are becoming more popular for their environmental and health benefits.

Different varnish types include acrylic, spar, exterior, and polyurethane varnish, etc. Each varnish type has different features, but all have protective additives that will protect a surface. If the surface or area you are painting is prone to wear and tear, we would advise that you think twice before using an emulsion. This is because you’ll find that it marks too easily and you’ll have to frequently touch up the damaged areas. For high traffic wooden surfaces, we would recommend either a satinwood or gloss paint. Conclusion Remove any existing varnish or finish with a suitable paint and varnish remover / stripper. Sand the wood to remove any surface imperfections, then use a damp cloth to remove any debris and let the wood dry Apply 2-3 varnish coats over paint with a paint sprayer or roller. Wait until one coat dries before applying the next one. Water-based varnish takes around 6 hours to dry between coats, while oil-based varnish takes around 24 hours. Lastly plan well. This is a fair weather job and almost all formulas will rely on good warm weather and no rain. Dark and light varnish examples (Gloss and Satin)

Finally, when you prepared the surface and decided what type of varnish and finish you will use, apply the varnish. If you are already experienced in this kind of work, feel free to do it with a paintbrush. But for the newbies, we would recommend opting for a spray version instead to ensure a smooth and even finish: Use a varnish on top of the emulsion. To further enhance the durability of the emulsion, you may want to consider using a varnish on top, which will act as a sealer.For example, if you want to achieve a modern, flat finish, a matt emulsion is a great option to consider. However, if that’s the main reason why you want to use an emulsion, we would recommend that you consider a satinwood paint instead. Our 5 Top Tips To Using Emulsion On Wood If you need to varnish rough surfaces like shingles and/or rough-sawn wood, it’s best to use oil-based varnishes. They will penetrate the wood better than latex ones, which is why they are often ideal for rough surfaces that require quite a lot of varnishing. Moreover, they have a few additional perks: Much like paint, varnishes have finishes that vary from “Gloss” through “Satin” to “Matt”. This describes the sheen of the finish and how reflective it will be. Gloss is the shiniest and smoothest, while Matt describes a dull and un-shiny finish. Choosing the Right Varnish As you already know, it is essential to apply varnish on your painted wooden surface as evenly as possible. In this case, you will ensure the surface is coated smoothly and the protection is decent. If there is any roughness to the wood before application it will be better to sand the wood first, this will help to avoid any snagging when in use. Once clean and smooth you can look at applying the Manns Extra Tough Interior Varnish this will give a smooth and durable finish to the bobbins.