Wood Finishes & Sealers

Wood finishes and sealers can generally be divided into two categories: solvent (or oil)-based and water-based.

Solvent-based finishes are shellacs, lacquers and varnishes which use no water in dispersing the resins that constitute the finish film. These traditional finishes are found in a vast array of products, each with different characteristics to accommodate a wide range of applications. They are prized for their grain enhancing properties. In recent years, the increase in environmental concerns has generated increased interest in having quality waterborne finishing options.

Water-based finishes use water to disperse resins, usually acrylic or polyurethane. The greatly reduced solvent content renders these finishes non-combustible in their liquid state and with low VOC counts the finishes are friendly to users. The cure on these modern finishes is quite tough and typically clear without the ambering effect of oils. Our most popular water-based finish line, Hydrocote Finish, is in a category of its own in the main wood finishing section.