What are odorless varnishes?

The need to complete the painting immediately brings to mind the stifling smell of a headache, which cannot be eliminated in the room for several weeks. There is no need to say that it is harmful to health. Therefore, odorless varnish developed by manufacturers can be considered a great achievement. They managed to get rid of the problem, making the painting process safe for health.

It became possible to get rid of the smell of the material due to its water base. These varnishes are usually colorless, they do not have chemical solvents, which protects the wood from burnout and darkening. They are not harmful to health. The only drawback is that they cannot be used for beech, wenge, merbau and other hygroscopic types of wood.

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A bit about water-based materials

They are an aqueous composition with evenly distributed minute components. The water base dries first. Subsequently, a protective layer film is formed on the surface of the product.

Positive qualities of water-based varnish:

• does not pose a danger to humans;
• no harmful components;
• high quality coating;
• reliability and long surface life.

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Varieties of water-soluble varnishes

Depending on which binder is used in the solution, the following varieties are distinguished:

• one-component: acrylic and polyurethane;
• two-component.

Acrylic

These solutions are easiest to apply. In the tank for transportation, they are a white liquid. When applied, a transparent coating that does not have color is obtained. By type of application are considered universal.

The presence in the composition of the acrylate base, dissolved in water, eliminated the smell. Treated surfaces are well preserved in the sun and in a humid microclimate. Acrylic varnishes are not very thick, so the consumption is low. Painting with a large number of color options is possible.

Examples of acrylic varnishes:

1. The cheapest and most popular type of acrylic varnish is parquet varnish Ballet. It does not pose a danger to people and animals, does not burn. It can be used to obtain matte, semi-gloss, glossy and multi-colored surfaces.
2. English Dulux is resistant even to abrasive loads, household chemicals, alcohol, is not afraid of hot water.
3. Waterborne Acrylic Wood Varnish Domalux allows you to perform work in a short time - due to quick drying. The coating created by him has a beautiful natural look, glossy shine. Its safety for humans and animals is simply amazing. It can be used for coating in medical institutions, they paint children's toys. Acrylic solution increases product life, wear resistance. The disadvantage is that it cannot be used in conditions of high humidity.

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Polyurethane

The composition of these varnishes includes ultraviolet absorbers. The film that they form on the surface has high abrasion and impact strength, which gives the products wear resistance.In addition, such a tool can be used in high humidity conditions.

After applying this varnish, no stains remain; during operation, a yellow tint is not formed. It dries quickly and gives the coating a special gloss. Protects product surfaces from destruction by alcohols and chemicals.

These self-leveling varnishes are designed to create strong, even and transparent surfaces. Dry in 2 hours, better show their protective properties when applied in 3 layers.

Example: Finnish Tikkurila products. This acrylate varnish is diluted with water, has a base of polyurethane. The product is so unique that it allows you to choose your own color for any customer. According to the code, it is subsequently possible to purchase varnish of exactly the same shade and quality. The technology is called computer tinting.

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Two-component

These varnishes are supplied in two containers. The components are mixed immediately before use and the finished varnish should not be stored for a long time. The hardener contained in it gives the painted surface a special strength, it allows the use of varnish for objects that are subjected to heavy loads.

As an example, consider the alkyd-urethane varnish company Tikkurila. It consists of two components that are mixed before application. Residues after work are stored in carefully sealed containers and for a very short period of time.

It is worth paying attention to the quality of the mixing of the components, which affects the coating being created. For mixing use a drill at low speeds.

The coating becomes high-quality two weeks after application, during this period it is treated with care. All tools immediately after work are thoroughly cleaned with detergents - if this is not done immediately, then do not remove the remaining paint.

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Alkyd-urethane

Alkyd-urethane type varnishes are used for application on wooden products. They do not have a hue or smell, but due to dilution with White Spirit they can give an unpleasant smell of oil products. As it hardens, a beautiful gloss forms. Drying a layer of alkyd-urethane varnish takes only 2 hours, but subsequent layers can be performed only after a day.

Acrylate

Acrylate varnishes are diluted with water, the compounds withstand the effects of high temperatures and moisture. There is no color for the products: varnishes are completely transparent, therefore they can be applied over paints and stains. The main field of application is varnishing of wooden walls and ceilings, wood panels, particle boards in saunas.

Some features of the application

The coating technology is no different from traditional. You can do the work with a roller or brush.

Important! Water-based varnishes must be stored in heated rooms.

Features of the work:

1. Work is carried out at temperatures of 18-20 ° C and humidity more than 50%. Lower temperatures slow down the drying process, which can adversely affect the appearance of the coating. In dry air, drying is very fast, which is also an unfavorable factor.
2. Before starting work on a separate site, check the compatibility of the material with the previously applied coating.
3. When drying, drafts, direct sunlight are not allowed.

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Application technology

Before work, you must carefully read the instructions. Some varnishes have nuances in use, which the manufacturer always warns about.

Coating Technique:

1. Preparatory stage. The surface must be carefully leveled, sanded. Chips, holes, other defects should not be, especially on furniture or floor coverings. Large defects are puttyed with a special wood product.
2. The main stage.Apply varnish to the base with a roller, brush. If the processing area is significant, use a spray gun. Start from the edge, making movements to the opposite edge in the arrangement of wood fibers. The number of layers is from two to five. Before each subsequent layer, the previous one is ground a little with fine emery cloth - this will enhance adhesion.

It is important that when applying varnish the humidity should be no more than 50%, the temperature should be around + 18 ... + 23 degrees, there should be no drafts, and direct sunlight would be excluded. Drying time is indicated in the instructions, usually 2 to 24 hours. Carpets can be laid on the floor only a week after staining.

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Selection rules

Quality material will last longer, provide the best decorative and protective properties. When choosing you need to be guided by the following points:

1. Wear resistance. If the level of load on the base is regularly high, you need to buy a tool with excellent indicators of resistance to wear, friction, and mechanical damage.
2. Fire safety. The wood quickly ignites and burns well, so the varnish is required to increase the heat resistance of the material, to prevent fire.
3. Composition. There are two-pack formulations that must be mixed before application, and there are also ready-to-use products. When buying, it is important to consider the convenience and the fact that after mixing it will not work for a long time to store the varnish.
4. Type of varnishing. Some materials traditionally give a shiny, glossy gloss, but there are also such varnishes that have a matting effect.
5. Drying time. Lacquers diluted with water dry quite quickly, and yet the drying period may vary depending on the composition.
6. Moisture resistance. Not all varnishes can protect wood from water. It is better to buy polyurethane compounds if you want to use the product for wet rooms.

Odorless varnishes can completely cover windows, doors, and other wooden products. Means are universal and serve for a long time.

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Top manufacturers

In any building materials store you can find varnishes of the Russian brand Technolor. The brand produces water-based polyurethane, acrylic varnishes for wooden products, which are widely used for processing furniture, flooring, stairs. Lacquers Technocolor do not contain any components harmful to health, they can be used even in children's rooms.

The most famous tools in the line:

1. HTL 20030. The technique of applying varnish - dipping or irrigation from a spray. Popular for any wooden products.
2. HTL 20 SM. It is highly resistant to UV radiation, does not turn yellow with time, and is diluted with water.
3. ATL 200. It is especially resistant to the action of chemistry, easily withstands wet cleaning, and is recommended for floors and furniture.

The Finnish brand Tikkurila stands out for its excellent quality products. All means are made taking into account innovations and with testing computerized installations. Tikkuril polyurethane varnishes have the highest resistance to friction, withstand any chemicals other than nitro solvents.

Varnishes of the company Bona (Sweden) are odorless, water-based. They are recommended for use in rooms where a large number of people regularly pass (for example, in museums). Long-term attractive appearance due to high wear resistance.

German varnishes Berger and Lobadar are no less famous among professionals - glossy, semi-gloss, matte, with good protection against abrasion.

Rustins antiseptic varnish - Polyuretahane Varnish - is made in transparent and color variations. Contains antiseptic additives that help protect the tree from insects, fungus, mold.

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What to do if there is still an unpleasant smell?

If you chose a varnish that is not water-based, a few tips will help get rid of a strong smell:

1. Activated carbon and common table salt have absorbent properties. Pour them into plates and arrange in a room where there is a painted surface. Also, you can make an aqueous solution of these substances - the effect will be the same.

2. If the painted surfaces are already dry, but continue to exude a smell, you can use an old cloth that needs to be wet and hung around the room.
3. Onions and garlic also absorb odors. They need to be grated or cut and laid out on plates. It’s enough night for plant helpers to remove all the smell.
4. Candles or bags with aromatic herbs, a few drops of aromatic oil that you need to drip onto an incandescent lamp before turning it on. These funds will kill the unpleasant smell of varnish.

But it’s better to choose modern, odorless water-based varnishes - materials that expand the concept of repair. Work can be performed in residential premises, without violating the usual rhythm of life.