Pinewood Derby Q&A

What is the difference between lacquer and polyurethane?

My son and I need to finish his Pinewood Derby car for Cub Scouts and I have polyurethane, but I don't have lacquer. Is there a difference?

Public Comments

1. In a general sense, lacquer is a clear or coloured coating, that dries by solvent evaporation and often a curing process as well that produces a hard, durable finish, in any sheen level from ultra matte to high gloss and that can be further polished as required. In a narrower sense, lacquer consists of a resin dissolved in a fast-drying solvent which is a mixture of naphtha, xylene, toluene, and ketones, including acetone. The word "lacquer" comes from the lac insect (Laccifer lacca, formerly Coccus lacca), whose secretions have been historically used to make lacquer and shellac. In America today the word lacquer refers to nitro cellulose, and little else; most other coatings are known as "varnish". In the UK however, the general rule is that if you spray it, it's lacquer - if you brush it, it's varnish. All factory finished furniture these days is therefore lacquer (pigmented, tinted or clear). A polyurethane is any polymer consisting of a chain of organic units joined by urethane links. It is widely used in flexible and rigid foams, durable elastomers and high performance adhesives and sealants, fibers, seals, gaskets, condoms, carpet underlay, and hard plastic parts. Polyurethane products are often called "urethanes". They should not be confused with the specific substance urethane, also known as ethyl carbamate. Polyurethanes are not produced from ethyl carbamate, nor do they contain it.
2. lets not talk about what its made of. but what it does how it looks as a finish. lacquer is a hard finish. you can use a brush, but thin it out a bit. and brush fast in one direction. why? becuase if you go back and forth stopping and ending in the middle you will see the over lap. but wait a derby car.... use lacquer spray can !!!!! drys quickly so dust particles dont rest on the car !!!! as for the poly's it a man made product. good but it drys slowly. dust will settle on the finsih.
3. I thought the answer from "THE UNKNOWN" was excellent and informative. For that derby car, I use polyurethane. It is very durable. Lacquer will scratch easily.
4. If you have any friends that paint vehicles, the best thing to use on this is the clear coat that they put on vehicles. You can use it on wood. My husband paints cars and I have redone many pieces and have had him use clear coat on it. It gives you a very hard great finish. If you don't have a friend (or the equipment to do it yourself) then I would use a poly product.