Different Types of Polish Finishes for Wood
Wood polish and finish shield wooden surfaces from humidity, moisture, ultraviolet rays of the sun and general wear and tear. Moreover, they enhance the aesthetics of the wood surface by adding a rich, luxurious, and glossy sheen to it. Applying polish and finish can close the pores of the wood to prevent bacteria from harboring and sanitize the surface as well. Since wood polish finishes can affect the property of the wood, they may be used to enhance its functionality and strength. The application of such wood polish can be found in musical instruments to bring in tonal improvements, or in flooring to improve the aesthetics.
There are many wood finishes, and each may have its own specific uses. Therefore, you need to know and understand the difference between each wood polish and finish available so that you can use them effectively.
Major Categories
Wooden polish can be categorized into two major types, which include the ‘surface’ polish and the ‘penetrating’ polish. The surface polish stays on the wood surface and can’t penetrate it. However, it leaves a hard, strong, and thick layer on the surface thus preventing any direct contact of agents like moisture with the wood surface. This buffering layer may contain wax, varnish, lacquer, shellac, polyurethane, and many other materials.
On the other hand, the penetrating wooden finish is an oil-based substance that penetrates into the surface and composition of wood. Linseed oil and Tung oil are most often used in penetrating wood polishes as they penetrate the fibers of the wood and harden. Besides, they are easy and convenient to apply.
Popular Wood Polish Types
The following list mentions some more popular varieties of wooden finishes used in commercial and residential areas along with their characteristics and benefits.
1. Water-based wood polish
The water-based wood polish can be applied on painted, bare, and stained wood surfaces. Unlike oil-based polishes that turn light amber with age, the water-based polish puts on a coat that stays clear over time. So, it can be safely used on light-colored floors without darkening them with age. Many decorative wood items, handicrafts, and articles are coated with this finish for an elegant look that doesn’t go away over a period of time.
Generally, water-based polishes, depending on the brand and additives in it, can dry out in an hour and be ready for a new coat in as little as two hours. It is recommended to take the help of an expert to apply the polish to avoid leaving any marks of the brush.
2. Lacquer wood polish
The lacquer finishes are considered among the best varieties of wood polish. They dry up faster, provide better surface protection, add richness, and may also make the wood more durable. As it is quite easy to remove, you can apply a new polish and finish to the wood whenever needed.
The lacquer finish dries up quickly, and therefore, the best option to apply it is by spraying. The finish is sensitive to heat, and some may emit fumes as well.
3. Varnish polish
Varnish polish is durable and can be applied to both stained and bare wood. It comes in different varieties of sheen as well. Before applying any varnish wood polish, the surface needs to be cleaned thoroughly. You also need to avoid applying on wet surfaces.
4. Shellac polish
The shellac polish is quick to dry and is a hard finish. Acting as a stain remover and sealer, it works best when used on dry walls and cured plaster.
Shellac finish comes in many colors, and hence, you can use it to redesign the furniture or wooden article to suit your home décor. As it cannot resist moisture, it is not recommended for outdoor use.
5. Polyurethane or PU polish
Due to its water-resistant properties, the polyurethane wood finish can be ideally used for kitchen cabinets, doors, windows, cupboards and almost all kinds of furniture and flooring. It is a durable finish and enhances the longevity of your wooden items. It is available in different varieties for adding gloss, shine, sheen and improving the natural aesthetics and appearance of the wood.
Ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause the polyurethane wood polish to turn yellow, so it is not recommended to use them for outdoor furniture. However, UV light absorbers can be added to it to avoid the adverse effects of the sun.
6. Oil-based wood polish
They are great for adding a luxurious and satin look to the furniture of living rooms or other commercial areas. Oil-based wood polish easily covers up the nicks and scratches on the wood surface. Be cautious to protect the eyes while applying the polish.
7. Wax-based wood polish
Available in paste and liquid forms, they can protect the wood from moisture and improve its life. They are obtained from plants, minerals and animal sources.
The wood polish price, whether it is Melamine polish, PU polish and Lamination / Polyresin polish varies not only in material cost but also in labor cost too. The whys and hows are covered in the rest of the article.
Generally, a good contractor will always have a look at the site or home before providing you with a quotation. The medium polish finish goes well for a few homes, while other homes may need lamination finish. Only a good professional can suggest which is the best option for you.
How you may get misguided ?
Let us explain this with an example. Say a contractor gave you a quotation of Rs 85 per square feet for melamine coating of your home furniture. After visiting the site, he feels that the melamine coat costing Rs 65 per square feet will be good enough for your home. At this point, here’s what is likely to happen.
The contractor may use the cheaper melamine option, but charge you according to the quoted price of Rs 85 per square feet. You are at a loss here then. Another possibility is they may feel that your home needs a higher-grade polish and not the one costing Rs 85. Consequently, homeowners feel uncertain and confused at times. However, hiring a good contractor will always ensure that you get the best quotations and coating which are perfect for your needs.
Ensure you get the best deal
Usually, the wood polish price is given on a per square feet basis but there are few contractors who measure in running feet. A good contractor here again will mention these details too.
Contractors will often quote a price per square feet and ask you to calculate the polishing cost according to the area of the house requirement or room. But homeowners may make mistakes while calculating the areas. So, no matter what or how the quotation is given, the actual cost increases. Other factors like imperfection in application or weather conditions may affect the cost as well.
The cost difference between wood polishes
The cost of any wood polish, be it melamine polish, PU polish or lamination/polyresin polish, is measured in a similar manner i.e. in per liter basis for polish and per square feet for its application or labor charges.
Melamine Polish – This polish is available in different grades and shine. The melamine polish rate per square feet, therefore, varies from Rs 80 to Rs 100.
PU (polyurethane polish) – PU polish too is available in different grades, style and finish. The cost varies from Rs165 to Rs 210. In PU polish, you have clear polish, white polish, Imported PU polish, Indian PU polish, standard gloss polish, high gloss polish and many more.
To tell the truth, the polish solution doesn’t really cost much. It’s the labor charge that may amaze you. The labor cost is almost 3 to 4 times more than the polish solution cost. Say if the polish solution comes for Rs 100 per liter, its application will usually cost you Rs 300.
Labor charges for polish application
PU Polish – Well, the application of polish or finish doesn’t only involve brushing or spraying the polish solution. The wooden surface is treated to make it ready for polish and many other processes are carried out as well apart from polishing. This includes setting up the workspace, making the wood ready for application, sanding, using tapes, thinner and other accessories and processes too. The cost of all these processes and accessories is included in the final labor cost given on per square feet basis. The labor cost that is quoted includes other costs too, such as the transportation cost of a laborer, his snack and tea cost, etc. It is practically difficult to calculate exact cost details.
Polyresin/Lamination finish – The cost ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 410. Polyresin finish or lamination finish is an expensive polish since almost 10-14 coatings are done to achieve the desired finish. The number of the coating may vary depending on the site, but it’s not too much. Sometimes, the number of coatings also depends on the veneer polish type, color, and style. For example, a light-colored veneer wood will appear light, no matter how many coatings of lamination polish are done. Therefore, many numbers of coats aren’t applied. Similarly, for dark-colored veneered wood, not many coatings are applied as the color will appear to be dark, no matter how many coats are applied.
Entrust a Professional
Usually, unless you understand and can differentiate between the different kinds of Polish types, it becomes impossible to source the best quality polish for your home. We at Contractorbhai make the decision easy for you by providing the service bundled with the rest of our Interior Design services at a clear transparent pricing.
Interested in Home Renovation? – Set up interior design consultation
What is the difference between malamin polish and tel police? Which is better? Kindly provide cost difference
Sir how to calculate running feet of window
suggest any polish for wood dinner set.
in some case polish smells are mix with food and thi one is not better.
suggest polish for food releted wooden products.
you have veneer surface or wood?
Do u provide service for furniture lamination buffering ? I’m Looking for mumbai Charni Road
Hi do you hv varnish polishing pple for main door in coimbatore .kindly give contact details
What is the cost of poly resin/ lamination finish? Kindly tell me the rates
hi nitin , I got my old vineer beds polished. the contracter says he used laquar. 2 6*3 beds and one 6*6 beds. how much should i pay him. i can send a pic
Sir,
Greetings! I plan to “French Polish” my 3 decade old teak wood dining set (4 nos high back with cushioned base chairs and a 3′ x 4′ simple laminated top table). I have actually calculated surface area viz. chair 11.00 sq ft each and table 17 sq ft.
Please provide estimate in Pune region. Many thanks in advance.
Best Regards
Sofa set and dinning table need to get polish
Hi! Greetings!
I am planning to polish my 4 wooden washbasins and a double bed made of rubber wood. The options available are imoorted PU of berger (semi gloss) with sirka stain.. heard of melamine polish also. Which one is better. And how should I get the dark wood finish.
Well explained. All the best!!
I want to know the details for calculating the polish area of teak window with glass in middle.
I wish to have a of white doors what would u suggest the best paint or white wooden polish . Kindly also send the cost of both
PU imporio paint and priceis per. Sq. Ft.Rs./ 175 .00
Hello sir …80square ghr hai mera osme normal doors 6 hai…..kya price hoga….melamyan polish ka….aur plz yeh bata diijye ki melamyan polish mei shades available hote hai
Double Bed Polishing needs to be done.
Need pu paint on 3 d wall fiber sheet
Hi, which company has best beterial for PU poilsh-, Icka or Asian emporio gold or any other company pl. Suggest how to choose value for money material.
Names suggested by you all leading top brands in market. THey all give good result.
For main door 4ft*8ft, how much it will cost
What is rate per sq ft polishing Melamine interior wardrobe
Looking for pu paint details with costing
Which brand is good for pu polish on doors??
Hi please suggest what should be the price to get a pu polish for my MDF Grill??which is 2.5 ft x6 ft as i was given a quote of 6 k bit i feel it should not be more than 2500₹
Hi – what would be the cost for applying ICA WATER BASED GLOSS polish on dark vineer , contractor is quoting 390 per sq feet , is that really that cost ? Pls suggest .
You dont mention how much Laquer polish costs on an average per sq ft for doors windows to be repolished (not new).
Cost of Polishing old furniture depends on complete scope of project. If you are doing big project, polish cost is minimum. However if you are hiring people to do just polish of old furniture wages are different.
Sir
How the area of zali door size 7*3 with 3 nos. of frames 5 inches width is calculated.?
(7+7+3+3+3) * 5 / 12 = 9.58 sq feet
Polished both side
What labour charges are to be paid if it is Rs 80 per square feet?
have wardrobes with lamination, but small parts are spoilt, and needs to be done up, and then do finish for complete wardrobes, what could be the cost for such work?
Very difficult to give any rates in such situation. Always good idea in such situation to call first contractor who did initial work. Work out situation with him and let him complete the job. It will be not much profitable for new contractor & you will not feel like paying a lot to new one. best is to call back previous contractor & work with him.
Which company is best for PU & lamination at reasonable rate.
by company, I believe you are talking about products? one of famous brand is IP, however discuss with your painter/carpenter they will suggest good 2-3 options. Go for branded ones
Hi…Need to understand how does the pricing work for scratching and polishing an old wooden door without veneer but with ply in middle part…
Repairing of door, mainly removing old laminate & applying new one – rate or cost of this service varies in big range. For example if you are doing lot of carpentry work inside house & you also ask carpenter to redo a door. Cost is less. However there is hardly any work & repairing door is major task within, cost will be more. In Mumbai Delhi repairing door ( redoing laminate) will cost anywhere from 4000 – 6000 rupees per door. Depending lot of other factors.