Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 06, 2000 01:39am | #1

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   Although I hate to admit it here, besides being a builder I truly love to make cabinets and refinish furniture. My favorite finishes are catalyzed lacquers. I started years ago with Dayco, switched to maganalac, then to sherwood(sherwin-williams) and now to Coranado precat. Is Post a brand I'm not familiar with or is simple a post catalyzed lacquer(as in not precat)? Keith

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 06, 2000 01:48am | #2

   *Keith,

   I use pre-cat lacquer . Post cat refers to having to add the catalyst before you use the lacquer as far as I know.

   View Image © 1999-2000"The first step towards vice is to shroud innocent actions in mystery, and whoever likes to conceal something sooner or later has reason to conceal it." Aristotle

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   Guest_ | Apr 06, 2000 02:03am | #3

   *Joe's right, post cat has to have the catalyst added before use and you only mix about what your going to spray right away. It has a pretty short pot life. Some brands I understand also have a "window" within which you have to recoat.Chuck

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   bkunkle | Apr 06, 2000 03:06am | #4

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   I use precat on everything.But I work with a cabnit maker who uses conversion varnish and has the best finish ive ever seen.

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   Guest_ | Apr 06, 2000 04:00am | #5

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   Everyone is pretty correct. Conversion finishes (conversion varnish) are all finishes where the molecules 'crosslink' or polymerise to form a very tough and chemical resistant finish after a catalyst kicks in. Precats and post-cats are conversion varnishes that have some nitrocellulose type (may not actually be nitro anymore; not sure)laquer added to make them dry faster, and so are more user friendly in the shop, but the conversion varnish is tougher. Precats have the catalyst added at the factory, and the catalyst kicks in on exposure to the air after spraying. No pot life, but a shelf life of 3-6 months. The post cats, like everyone said, you have to add the acid catalyst and the pot life is basically a day, give or take. Getting rid of the waste can be incredibly expensive and a major hassle, so folks that don't spray all the time usually prefer the precats. I am told by the chemists from the company I use that if their post-cat is a 10 on a scale of ten, their precats and waterbase are at about an eight or a little better, as far as resistance goes.

   The finishes formulated for wood are now completely different from those used for cars. In fact, the whole approach to cars is completely different; I'm teaching the finishing component at the local cabinetmaking trade school right now, and there is an ex-autobody guy in the class. Their approach to finishes and especially rubbing out a finish is very different from woodfinishing. I also have to buy some supplies from an autobdy supply shop for my shop, and we're basically talkking two different languages when I talk to those guys.

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   Guest_ | Apr 06, 2000 12:34pm | #7

   *The sherwood(sherwin williams) is post cat then, I add the catalyst just prior to spraying.(can says pre-cat, which confused me) It is better for moisture and alcohol resitence, and is great for cabinets and table tops(though I usually us resisthane on table tops) It does not sand near as well as Coronado, and as a result does not get as smooth.

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   MWOOD | Apr 06, 2000 12:34pm | #6

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   I have heard different opinions about Post Catalyzed Lacquer finishes for kitchen cabinets: 1. It's the same thing used on cars and is toxic -don't even think about using it on kitchen cabinets. 2. It's the best thing since sliced bread and is perfect for finishing cabinets.
   What do you guys think?