Special Who has lacquers specifically for wooden staircases?

WHEN DO YOU CHOOSE A LACQUER?

OPAQUE OR TRANSPARENT, A LACQUER OFFERS SEVERAL POSSIBLE FINISHES

Martin Straub (Technical Manager Heidelberg Coatings Dr. Rentzsch GmbH - D)

“We offer a whole host of solutions for the coating of staircases”

You already read in the introduction there are several reasons to choose a lacquer for the finishing of a staircase. But what specifically do manufacturers have on offer? We looked at the German specialist Heidelberg Coatings to learn what they have in the way of stair lacquering and how they respond to various situations.

Technical manager Martin Straub introduces us to the wide Heidelberg range, which is only intended for use on hardwood. In his talk, there are a number of fixed arguments for choosing either one lacquer or another. For instance, you need to consider in advance the maximum drying time and how long the customer can/will wait to use the staircase again. Other issues include scratch resistance and anti-slip properties, chemical resistance, the appearance, the curing time for 2-component paints, the application method (by hand or via spraying), and so on.

HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK

We start off with the HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK. HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK is a water dilutable one component coating for stairs, used as primer and top coat. It is an environment-friendly and nearly odorless coating. After hardening, the coating has the same characteristics as a two component polyurethane coating and it can be used on all wood types.

“Using this lacquer, the stair builder can lacquer two times, with very fast drying times. You only need to wait 3 hours between the 1st and 2nd layer, which means the customer can afterwards use the staircase very quickly”, Mr. Straub explains. “If you are looking for a very good abrasion and chemical resistance, this is your ideal product. It also has an excellent resistance against hand-creme, which is important to know for the handrail.”

HD-AQUA PUR ISOLIERFÜLLER

The second product is called HD-AQUA PUR ISOLIERFÜLLER White. This system is mainly aimed at coloured staircases. Weiss is a water dilutable two component filler, based on polyurethane and acrylate dispersion with low swelling.

“You apply the two component HD-AQUA PUR ISOLIERFÜLLER White two times”, we hear. “With this filler system you have insulation against tints in the wood and there is no change of colour. This product is also not influenced by the substances in the wood. Special about this system is that there are also no problems with the very long potlife, that goes up to 4 hours. Even if you didn’t manage to use it during that time, there is still no problem, as it doesn’t harden in the pot and a liquid system always remains. The only thing you have to do following those 4 hours is mix it again, so you don’t get problems when reapplying.”

HD-AQUA TOP COLOR

Next in line is the HD-AQUA TOP COLOR. HD-AQUA TOP COLOR is also a system for colour lacquer. It is a fast drying, pigmented water coating system with a good coverage.

“HD-AQUA TOP COLOR can easily and without any problems be applied, especially for vertical systems. This is a product that is sprayed”, says Mr. Straub. “In a first and second step, you will need to use the insulation filler we described earlier on, in a third step the HD-AQUA TOP COLOR is applied. Any colour is possible: black, red, whatever… As a last step, one must apply the colourless transparent

HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK.

The result of the work will be a very good colour stability, because there are no problems whatso-ever with yellowing, abrasion and chemical resistance. It is also very UV-stable.”

NATUR HARTWACHS and NATUR HARTWACHSÖL

In a somewhat different category, we can classify the hardwax lacquers, a combination between oils and waxes.

Here, Heidelberg Coatings brings its NATUR HARTWACHS and the NATUR HARTWACHSÖL to the market. NATUR HARTWACHS is a high-grade wood finish, developed from the latest findings in natural surface coatings based on near-natural raw materials. NATUR HARTWACHSÖL is very similar, but is applied differently. Both are viscous oil-wax combinations, with high non-volatile matter based on renewable oils and wax components, intended to be used on staircases, on furniture and in interior design.

“The first product comes in a spray application, that is sprayed two times in a quantity of about 40 to 45 grammes per m². The drying time between the layers is around 2 hours, while you can reuse the stairs after around 8 hours. Special about this product is its very high chemical resistance. In other words, you don’t have problems with drying, red wine, cleaning products,…”, we are told. “If you need to apply by hand, NATUR HARTWACHSÖL is your solution. This product is nearly the same as the NATUR HARTWACHS, but it is is applied by hand and also can ne used to repair a complete staircase. The drying time is a little bit longer, but the result after its application is exactly the same.”

NATUR 2K ÖLFINISH

Last but not least, we notice the both colourless and coloured versions of NATUR 2K ÖLFINISH. This product is a high-quality wood finish, based on the latest knowledge of natural surface coatings using renewable raw materials. It is suitable for surfaces subject to high stress and high water resistance in the entire staircase, parquet, furniture and interior finishing.

“This product is developed for application by hand as well”, concludes Mr. Straub. “It is especially recommended when you use colours. There is only need for one layer of application on the stairs, but that goes hand in hand with regular maintenance, using our special NATUR PFLEGEÖL. This care oil for oiled stair, parquet and furniture surfaces is used to freshen up oiled and waxed surfaces. It is used for both initial care and maintenance care. NATUR PFLEGEÖL has a drying time from 6 to 9 hours, in combination with good, diagonal ventilation.”

SURFACE FINISHING SOLUTIONS

TOY

NATUR 2K ÖLFINISH

sustainable formula high-quality wood protection easy maintenance & cleaning natural trend look gentle for humans & the environment suitable according to Decopaint guideline

ANTI-SLIP EFFECT DIBt

Lacquering a staircase requires a unique approach due mainly to how this special interior element is used. The high and specific course means considerable wear. You can opt for a lacquer finish on a staircase, but what are the steps to be considered for the finish or renovation of a new wood?

Why lacquer?

First of all, you obviously have to assess why you want to lacquer a staircase. There are diverse reasons for doing so and if you can tick enough boxes for most of those reasons, you can opt for lacquer. For instance, with a renovation you want the staircase once again to look as good as new. Or perhaps your main priority is for the lacquer to provide protection from scratches, stains, and all sorts of potential damage. Or perhaps you just want to give the wood a bright colour or simply to prevent discolouration from the incidence of sunlight. In most cases the balance will sway in favour of lacquer if you want sound protection from both damage and discolouration. The extra benefit is that the staircase retains its beauty for much longer than if it were simply painted.

Opaque or transparent

With the lacquer itself you also have plenty of choice. Firstly, you can opt for an opaque lacquer, often white, which largely masks the beauty of the wood. If, however, you want to highlight the material, you opt either for a colourless or clear lacquer or a transparent lacquer with a colour. Most producers have waterborne lacquers, which may or may not be available in a RAL colour and with diverse finishes. Amongst other things, we think here of matt or silky gloss anti-slip. It can also be a lacquer enriched with oil to create a natural matt effect and provide more durable protection. The latter is worthwhile since you combine the benefits of protection with the natural matt look of an oil.

Steps to be taken

Before you can lacquer a staircase, you have to follow various steps meticulously. For instance, with new wood you have to clean it and remove any grease first of all before you sandpaper it. You then sandpaper in the direction of the wood grain, and you must make sure that the sandpapered wood is completely free of dust. You then apply three coats of lacquer and sandpaper lightly between each coat, so that you always have a surface which is free of dust.

If we are talking about existing wood, you start by sanding the staircase coarsely (P80-P120) to remove covering coats of paint or stain and any damaged sections. You then sandpaper the (dust-free!) pale wood to a medium texture (P150-P180/P220) and you remove any grease from the intact and transparent coats of lacquer and stain. After that, you sandpaper once again (dust-free!) to a medium texture and, finally, you apply the lacquer in two coats. Don’t forget to follow the direction of the wood grain and to sandpaper lightly between the application of both coats.

Tips with the preparation

Finally, we stress once again how important preparation is. It covers everything up to and including inspecting the wood for holes or other flaws. You never apply a lacquer until repairs are completed first in line with professional standards. Be sure not to forget that new wood needs an extra coat of primer. Moreover, are you going to use an acid-curing or a moisture-curing lacquer? In that case you must sandpaper the wood completely bare before you can even think about lacquering! One more thing: Don’t forget to consider the location of the staircase in the room and, as we’ve mentioned above, to estimate the course. With high traffic it is better to opt for a dual-component lacquer. If you want to make the coarse of the staircase less flexible, then consider a specific anti-slip lacquer.

Bona

Bona Traffic HD Anti-slip is a 100% polyurethane, 2-component, and waterborne lacquer which gives a wooden floor exceptional durability and protection. Bona Traffic HD Anti-slip has all the superior features of their 2-component finish lacquer Bona Traffic HD, plus the benefit that it meets the highest standards in slip resistance in commercial rooms, staircases, and other places with a high risk of spilling or slipping. With greater friction, Bona Traffic HD Anti-slip is the ideal choice for stairs, care homes, kitchens, and similar locations. • Excellent strength and chemical resistance • Not vulnerable to shoe marks • Excellent adhesion • Non-yellowing • ECR1 approved (very low emissions).

Chimiver

ECOTRAFFIK 2K (A+B), Two-component water-based polyurethane lacquer for wooden floors and staircases ECOTRAFFIK 2K is a two-component water-based high durability polyurethane lacquer for wooden floors and staircases, characterized by high solid content. ECOTRAFFIK 2K is easy to apply, has an high pore wettability even on brushed wood surfaces giving a warm and pleasant shade to the floor treated. It has high abrasion and black heel mark resistances that makes it ideal for the use on high traffic floors and on stairs for public use. Perfect results can be achieved by applying a first coat of ECOPRIME HS 120 (see technical data sheet), sanding and applying one or two coats of ECOTRAFFIK 2K.

DevoNatural Passage - Matt

Extremely wear-resistant 2-component waterborne parquet varnish based on polyurethane-modified polyester dispersions. Extremely suitable for the treatment of wooden floors and stairs that are subjected to intensive use! Its high wear resistance and easy maintenance make this matt parquet varnish ideal for contemporary application on residential and commercial floors. Can also be used indoors on wooden doors, furniture, worktops, ceilings, etc. - Extremely high abrasion resistance; - Suitable for commercial areas, stairs and intensive use; - Resistant to most chemicals; - Wood retains its natural colour (no discolouration); - Fast curing; - Combinable, adheres to all other DevoNatural parquet varnishes and DevoNatural Colour Special properties: UV-resistant (non-yellowing), low odour, easy to apply, high resistance to scratching and most household chemicals, complies with VOC standards, safe to use, non-toxic nor flammable, NMP free. The combination of hardness and elasticity give an exceptionally long life and very high abrasion resistance.