FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Pre-catalyzed lacquer vs. polyurethane

CJH | Posted in General Discussion on May 8, 2005 02:21am

I’m curious to know how moisture-resistant Magnalac and other pre-catalyzed lacquers are compared to oil-based polyurethane.

My wife and I are designing cabinets to display her orchids so I need something to seal the wood that can handle high humidity and some direct moisture.

I have built similar cabinets in the past and have either used oil-based poly or Envirotex Lite, a solvent free epoxy.

Oil-based poly is not as moisture resistant as we’d like. The Envirotex is great but expensive. Hoping something like Magnlac will be a bit cheaper than the epoxy but offer better protection than the oil-based poly.

Any thoughts on Magnalac or other pre-catalyzed lacquers?

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. User avater
    goldhiller | May 08, 2005 05:09am | #1

    Chris,

    Cat-lacquers like Magnalac and Magnamax are not going to please you if the OB poly didn't perform well enough for your purposes.

    We could go into a long discussion of the properties of various finishes and why they might or why they won't meet your needs, but the bottom line is that you're probably already using an appropriate material.

    There are numerous other finishes out there you could try, but many of those that will perform better than off-the-shelf OB polys and such...... are only available in 5 gallon quantities. Same is true for Magnalac and Magnamax around these parts. While you experiment with these other finishes, you're consuming time and dollars. If they fail to cut the mustard, all that money and time is a waste. Then you can take more money and go buy what does work.

    Campbell's offers other conversion finishes that may cut it, but no guarantees.

    http://www.mlcampbell.com/pages/family.asp?fam=CLR

    (You'll note that Magnalac and Magnamax make no special mention of water resistance while some of the other products do. There's a reason for this.)

    A high quality marine varnish just might serve you. I'd think it worth a try and those you can buy in gallons. The brands to look for are Interlux, Woolsey, Pettit or Epifanes. Be sure to follow directions as to surface preparation and number of coats. 5 or 6 coats as a rule. This stuff is pricey, too. Zero gain perhaps on cost compared to what you're currently using.

    I'd also give good odds to the products from West Systems. Epoxy again. :-)

    http://www.westsystem.com/

    Edit: Conversion finishes must be sprayed. If you don't have the capabilities to do this or are willing to pay someone to do it for you........don't bother looking into any of them as a potential.

    Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.



    Edited 5/7/2005 10:25 pm ET by GOLDHILLER

    1. CJH | May 08, 2005 07:11am | #2

      I can buy small quantities of Magnalac in pre-packaged spray canisters from a local paint shop. It ups the price a bit but I can experiment for about $15 and get 2 coats on 32 sq. feet. But if Magnalac is only marginally better than readily available polys (Minwax, Varathane) I won't bother. I have heard of people using it sucessfully in plant terraria but the same people have had decent luck with oil-based poly. I want something more durable.Marine varnishes don't sound like they'd offer me any advantage. I don't need their flexibility or UV absorbers anyways, not to mention I don't care to deal with the extended offgas time.I have heard a lot of good things about West Systems. In fact I know it's been used in projects identical to what we're starting.Do you know what kind of coverage I can expect per gallon? Is West Systems solvent based?What I'm really hoping for is something a bit cheaper than Envirotex and with the ease of application of Magnalac.

      1. zendo | May 08, 2005 04:48pm | #3

        You may know something more than me, but Im with Goldhiller.  Ive used  Epifanes Spar on a ton of projects from Yachts topside to garden benches.  Im not aware of offgas being much different than your Oil Poly. 

        If done properly you do have to juggle cutting the coats at varried percentages, but its worth the effort.  If UV isnt an issue, that just makes the finish that much more of a benifit, because the effect of the sun is the first thing to damage spar. 

        -zen

         

         

         

      2. User avater
        goldhiller | May 08, 2005 04:55pm | #4

        If you pop those links, you'll find much info about the available products.The Krystal product from Campbell sounds very promising if you want ease of application, fast dry and cure, clarity, non-yellowing and yet high resistance to humidity and droplets...but don't need the extra flexibililty of a long-oil and are concerned about off-gassing times. Perhaps this same paint shop can get you a small aerosol can of the Krystal.Sherwin-Williams also offers quality products of this nature and a chat with their store representative or bettter yet, the tech guys at the company should help narrow down which of these products if any, is most apt to meet your desired price, ease of application, etc.The West System links should answer most any question you might have concerning that family of products. Click on the product guide and you'll see that the 207 hardener is likely what you would want. There will be a slight amber cast involved and if you don't want that, you might be best off using the Enviro products that seemed to meet to your needs and desires. Coverage is pretty difficult, if not impossible to call. Depends upon your desired final film thickness, etc.Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh

The Titan Impact X 440 offers great coverage with minimal overspray.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 693: Old-House Hazards, Building Larsen Trusses, AI in Construction
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Finding Hazardous Materials in a Fixer-Upper
  • A Classic Paint Sprayer Gets a Thoughtful Refresh
  • Podcast Episode 692: Introduction to Trade Work, Embodied Carbon, and Envelope Improvements

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2025
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data