Complete Guide to Parquet Lacquer: the Secret to a Perfect Floor, always

Wooden floors lacquer is a product specifically formulated to treat and protect wooden floors. Unlike parquet oil, which penetrates the wood pores, lacquer creates a protective film on the wood surface without compromising its grain and beauty. This film protects the wood over time from: wear, foot traffic, impact, scratches and other forms of stress.

Types of Wood Lacquer

Parquet lacquers are distinguished based on their chemical nature as either solvent-based or water-based. The main differences between the two types of finishes relate to resistance to chemical agents and foot traffic. Both are transparent lacquers and can come in different levels of gloss:

• Glossy (80–100 gloss)
• Semi-glossy (45–70 gloss)
• Matte (15–30 gloss)
• Super matte (0–10 gloss)

Water-based Parquet Lacquer

Water-based parquet lacquer is a modern and sustainable solution, increasingly popular for protecting wooden floors. Generally a more delicate finish compared to solvent-based options, but with greater environmental compatibility as it is designed with natural raw materials and renewable resources. These lacquers are much more resistant to aging and unaffected by light, meaning there’s no risk of yellowing of the treated surface.

Aesthetically, water-based lacquer enhances the natural finish of the wood, offering a softer look and less of a “plastic” effect than solvent-based ones.

Water-based wood floor lacquers feature the following characteristics:

• Low environmental impact and reduced VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions
• Generally odorless
• Excellent scratch and wear resistance
• Natural effect
• Shorter drying times

Colored Wooden Floors Lacquer

Whether water-based or solvent-based, lacquer can be tinted to your liking to give the floor a unique and personalized aesthetic. These products combine the protective function of varnish with the decorative effect of lacquers, allowing for a wide range of finish colors. An important aspect to consider is that colored lacquers tends to cover part of the natural wood design while enhancing its grain.

Another distinction concerns the hardening agents that activate the curing process i.e., the time required for the treated surface to become usable or walkable.

Based on this, we can distinguish:

• Single-component parquet lacquers: ready-to-use and easy to apply. Curing occurs by drying.
• Two-component lacquers: composed of two parts (resin + hardener/catalyst) mixed before application. Curing occurs through catalysis and provides higher resistance than single-component finishes.
• UV-cured lacquers: cure when exposed to ultraviolet light. Immediate hardening after passing under UV lamps.
• LED-cured lacquers: one of the latest innovations introduced by Chimiver. The concept is the same as UV-cured products, but they react to LED light. To learn more, click here.

Solvent-based Parquet Lacquer

Solvent-based parquet lacquer is a traditional and highly appreciated solution for protecting and finishing wooden floors, due to its high resistance to wear, scratches, and moisture. This type of finish creates a compact and long-lasting surface film that seals the wood, making it especially suitable for high-traffic areas such as offices, shops, or public spaces. One of the main advantages of solvent-based lacquer is its long-lasting durability and its ability to provide deep, uniform protection with an excellent aesthetic result.

Solvent-based wood floor lacquers have the following characteristics:

• High resistance to scratches and wear
• Long-lasting
• Typically longer drying times
• Persistent odor in the environment
• Difficult to achieve natural and matte effects

Today, thanks to continuous technological advancement, water-based primers and lacquers have reached performance levels equivalent to solvent-based ones, ensuring professional results without compromise.

Chimiver offers ECOPRIME HS 120 CROM: a highly toning two-component acrylic-polyurethane water-based primer for wood floors. The product has good sanding properties and gives the wood excellent oxidation, very similar to common solvent-based two-component products.

How to Lacquer Parquet Flooring

The parquet lacquering cycle consists of various phases, all fundamental to ensure a durable, even, and resistant finish. Each step must be carried out carefully, respecting the technical times of the products used and their compatibility. Here are the main steps:

1. Wood Floor Preparation

This phase includes two steps:

• Sanding: raw or old parquet must be sanded with professional machines and appropriate grits to remove imperfections, old lacquer residues and to open the wood pores.
• Cleaning and vacuuming: after sanding, it’s essential to thoroughly remove dust and residues by vacuuming and, if necessary, with anti-static cloths.

2. Filling (if necessary)

A parquet filler (often mixed with sanding dust) is applied to fill gaps, joints, or small surface defects. Once dry, perform a light sanding to level the filled surface.

ECOFILL TECH: single-component water-based filler for wood floors. Click here to watch the application video.

3. Application of the First Coat (Primer)

Apply a first coat of lacquer or primer for parquet. The primer evens out the wood’s absorption and improves adhesion of subsequent coats. After drying, intermediate sanding is performed to eliminate any imperfections. In the case of colored cycles, the first coat can be a pigmented base.

ECORAPID: fast-drying single-component water-based acrylic-polyurethane primer for parquet.

4. Application of the Finish (One or More Coats)

Apply one or two coats of finishing lacquer, clear or colored, depending on the desired effect (matte, satin or glossy). Between coats, light sanding may be necessary to ensure maximum adhesion and a homogeneous result.

ECOTRAFFIK 2K: two-component polyurethane water-based lacquer with very high resistance. Watch the application video here.

5. Drying and Hardening

The floor must be left to dry completely. Drying times vary depending on the type of lacquer (water or solvent-based) and the environmental conditions. Light foot traffic is often possible after 24 hours, but full hardening may take longer (even several days).

Each cycle may vary slightly depending on the product type (e.g., water-based, solvent-based, oils, or waxes) and parquet type (pre-finished, solid, etc.). Professionally, companies like Chimiver provide certified and tested specific cycles, ensuring optimal results.

Following technical guidelines, timing, and product compatibility is essential to avoid mistakes! Click here to watch a video with tips to avoid the most common mistakes when lacquering wood floors.

Why Choose Chimiver Lacquers

Chimiver’s parquet lacquers stand out for their high quality, national and international certifications, and strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Formulated with attention to indoor health and reduced harmful emissions, they are the result of ongoing research and development, enabling the company to offer innovative, high-performing, and safe solutions.

Chimiver constantly invests in the technological evolution of its products, adapting to market needs, customer preferences, increasingly sustainable raw materials and updated regulations. Thanks to this dynamic and responsible approach, Chimiver lacquers guarantee not only excellent technical and aesthetic performance but also real respect for the environment and human health.

How to Clean Lacquered Parquet

A lacquered wooden floor is less delicate than an oiled one due to the protective lacquer layer that makes it more resistant. Before washing the wooden surface, it is always advisable to vacuum the floor with proper equipment or use a dust-catching cloth.

The best products for cleaning a lacquered floor are those with a NEUTRAL pH, specifically formulated for this type of finish.

CLEANER FOR LACQUERED PARQUET

VELUREX Cleaner Star is a multi-purpose intensive cleaner designed to effectively and gently care for lacquered wooden floors, maintaining their beauty over time. Its advanced formula, enriched with special nanoparticles, penetrates deeply to remove stubborn dirt, shoe marks, streaks, and residues without leaving halos. A valuable ally for those seeking deep hygiene and long-lasting results, without compromise. Click here to read the full article. Watch the application video here.

POLISH FOR LACQUERED PARQUET

VELUREX Polish WT is the perfect product for routine maintenance of lacquered wood floors. It’s a water-based reviving wax suitable for surface maintenance. It nourishes, regenerates, and pleasantly scents the environment. The goal of routine maintenance is to preserve the appearance and protection of parquet over time.

For dry, worn and/or damaged lacquered parquet subject to high traffic, treatment with a protective product is recommended.

• VELUREX RE-PAIR MATT for floors with a matte finish
• VELUREX RE-PAIR LACK for glossy lacquered floors.

The protective product gives the treated surface a refreshed look with surface hardness, strength, and transparency.

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Have Questions?

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