What Is The Most Efficient Water-Based Coating System For Furniture?

It's no surprise that the furniture industry is making the significant switch to water-based coatings. But the real question lies in which water-based coating system proves to be the best...

One of the most widely used substrates in the furniture industry is moisture-resistant MDF.

There are a number of variations of this material but they all have the same challenge when it comes to using  water-based coatings – the raising of the fibres giving it a ‘wood chip’ type appearance.

Two coats of primer are essential to provide a complete seal of the fibrous MDF substrate to give a good base for a smooth topcoat finish. 

Traditionally the first coat is sanded smooth prior to applying the second coat, but higher solid content primers can enable both coats to be applied within 30-45 minutes and then sanded before top coating.

The latter option must be left overnight to fully settle/cure but has the advantage of removing a sanding process,  increasing the efficiency of the system.

Even less fibrous timber substrates such as Tulip Wood, Maple or Beech will give a far superior finish if two coats of primer are applied.

To achieve a smooth finish on primed fibrous materials the general requirement is to apply two topcoats to hide any minor imperfections not necessarily visible in the primer. 

Lower gloss levels and/or lighter colours often give an acceptable finish with only one coat if the primer has been well-cured and thoroughly sanded.

Often the solid surfaces will only require one coat to provide a high-quality finish but the darker, less forgiving colours benefit from two coats. One option to balance quality with efficiency is to apply two topcoats to the front face and just one to the inside face.

When it comes to clear lacquer, again there are a number of variables to consider. For an open grain finish, 2 coats is an effective system, whether onto veneer, solid timber, or pre-stained substrate.

If a filled grain finish is required, then a third coat may be necessary. To prepare certain coarse-grain timbers such as oak, sanding across the grain can help achieve a much smoother finish, compared to simply sanding with the grain.

Whilst most water-based lacquers are single-pack products, additional durability can be achieved with two-pack polyurethane options but these do have pot life and health and safety challenges.