Pigments for wood, what they are and how to use them

Pigments are insoluble colored substances, of organic or inorganic origin. Generally, they have good physical resistance, which means light and heat fastness , and chemical inertia which makes them suitable for being used with several binders  regardless of their chemical nature.

Pigment is a substance, mixed in water or other solvent, capable of covering a surface with a colored adherent layer.

Pigments are used to give a new color to the wood. They can be mixed with wood wax and enamel to make the wood waterproof and protected over time.

The pigments are therefore suitable for being used with different binders. Depending on their size and concentration, they can be used to obtain different effects. From the coloring of the wood, to its harmonization, to protection from light, up to a full pigmented system. These features are enhanced by the binder used which has the multiple function of facilitating its dispersion, avoiding sedimentation and helping it to fix itself on wooden substrate.

 

List of Sayerlack wood stains based on pigments

XP1880/XX: solvent glaze based on white spirit binders. Apply directly on raw wood or polyurethane or nitro basecoat suitably prepared. It has excellent pore wettability and good leveling properties.

XM7100/XX: concentrated solvent-based harmonizing stains for general use, to be applied directly on raw wood.

AC1810/XX: water-based harmonizing stains, suitable as all pigment-based pigments to be overlaid with water-based wood coatings. This makes it particularly suitable for those who intend to have a completely water-based coating system.

AP1221/XX: water-based leveling glaze particularly suitable for rustic furniture and poor art. Maximum harmonizing power on uneven wood substrates.

AC2110/XX: concentrated water-based stains for general use with total absence of bleeding, therefore can be overcoated with water and solvent-based products.

Wood dyes, what they are and how to use them

Unlike pigments, dyes are usually soluble in water or solvent. Water is a fundamental component of wood and has a particular balance and affinity with it.

The water-based dyes could enhance the grain and tone of the wood, due to the great absorption capacity that the wood has of this.

Application by Dipping, brush, rag, spray and flow coating are possible because a color slip is prevented by the saturation of the fibers themselves. Solvent-soluble dyes could dry within an interval time related to the evaporation rate of the thinner used, generally shorter than the water-based dyes. Unlike pigments they cause variations of colour shades in relation to the quantities applied on the substrate.

 

List of Sayerlack wood dyes

XM8000/XX: concentrated solvent-based dyes for general use, to be applied on bare wood after thinning with water or solvents compatible with them. Suitable for panels, furniture, furnishing accessories and doors.

XC1900/XX: concentrated solvent-based dyes. The main use is the coating of polyurethane and nitro products to make the appearance of the coated surface more bright and a more “deep” colour shade at glance.

AC0600/XX: concentrated water-based dyes for general use, to be applied directly on bare wood.

AC2110/XX: concentrated water-based dyes for general use with total absence of bleeding, therefore can be overcoated with water or solvent.

Basecoats for wood, what they are and how to use them

The basecoat is a product, traditionally also called turapori, which fill wood pores and allows it to be sanded, maintaining as much as posible substrate colour shade . A proper choice and application of any basecoat is of fundamental importance for the final result of the whole coating system.

A basecoat can be:

– one-pack, as in the case of nitro and water-based basecoats

– two-pack, such as polyurethane basecoats

– multi pack, such as polyester basecoats

During basecoat application process, either the temperature of Hydroplus water-based basecoat or environmental one must be never be below 15°C. The water-based coatings applied and dried at lower temperature conditions will have lower mechanical and chemical resistance performances than standar ones.

The coated material must be placed on trolleys equipped with supports coated with polyethylene rubber and properly spaced between them to promote air circulation. In the drying room, the temperature must be kept under control at values above 15°C, with at least 3 fresh air changes per hour.

Parameters that could negatively influence paint curing are: too high application weights, the number of coats, humidity, excessive dilution and low temperatures. These indications are mandatory in case of water-based products, but also in the case of solvent-based products, when there are many differences, serious problems can also occur.

During the sanding process, the use of spaced abrasive papers is recommended that allow optimal dusting of the product, guaranteeing maximum result and minimum heating.

Basecoat is the first product applied to the wood and prepares the surface for the subsequent steps of coating system. It allows optimal adhesion, also obtained by penetrating wood fibers and wood pores with the exponential reduction of humidity and additional protection of the wood. With its hiding power and built it provides the main part of the final coating film.

 

Sayerlack wood basecoats list

AU0406/13 one-pack water-based basecoat for interiors with high filling power  and good manual sanding that can be applied directly on MDF or masonite.

AU0420/00 one-pack water-based basecoat for interiors which has high transparency and high filling power. Excellent thixotropy.

AU0465 one-pack water-based basecoat suitable for coating wooden items for interiors, with high sanding and high hiding power.

AU0474/XX two-pack water-based basecoat for interiors that can be sprayed directly onto MDF or masonite.

AU0493/00 two-pack water-based insulating basecoat for interiors. To be used for tannic woods such as oak and chestnut.

AM0402/XX one-pack pigmented thixotropic basecoat with excellent insulating properties against extractive substances typical of tannic wooden substrates.

AM0473/XX clear or pigmented thixotropic intermediate basecoat with good manual sanding, high solid content and good hiding power.

AM0475/XX top quality intermediate thixotropic basecoat clear or lacquered, suitable for automatic sanding.

AM0562/XX two-pack clear or pigmented thixotropic basecoat with insulating properties on exotic wooden substrates, to be hardened with 10% AH1545.

Topcoats for wood, what they are and how to use them

The topcoat is the last part of the coating process, when the product is considered completed and ready for use. The topcoat for wood, in addition to highlighting the finished product, also serves to protect the wood while preserving its integrity.

There are four kind of finishing process

– clear coating: to make the wood transparent and waterproof.

– enamel: to give gloss level to the furniture.

– wax: ideal for nourishing wood and giving a touch of brightness.

– oil for wood finishing: useful to enhance the wood grain

 

Sayerlack wood topcoats list

AL0880/XX two-pack high gloss water-based topcoat for interiors, featured by excellent chemical resistance and smoothness by touch.

AF0618/00 two-pack product for interiors designed to obtain an even low gloss level and high smoothness by touch.

AT1620/XX two-pack white and neutral matt topcoats for interiors with excellent chemical-physical resistance.

AT71**/XX matt thixotropic topcoat for interiors which, due to its high thixotropy, is particularly suitable for coating chairs.

AT99**/XX one-pack matt topcoat for interiors with high hardness and good chemical resistance.

AZ21** clear or lacquered thixotropic topcoat with excellent water and humidity resistance and high flowing power.

AZ35** one-pack thixotropic topcoat. It has excellent air releasing features, excellent hiding power either in the white version or clear 85 version. The excellent thixotropy allows it to be applied in a single thick layer

AZ34** one-pack water-based topcoat with qualities of transparency and water resistance that make it innovative in the field of outdoor wood protection.