Lacquers

What leather lacquers are

Leather lacquers in this range are nitrocellulose (NC) systems used as the glossy, protective top on resin-finished leather. They supply gloss, wet and dry rub, flexural endurance and a defined handle after the acrylic or PU season. Dyna Glycols offers VENOLAC LMF, a water-dilutable NC lacquer emulsion, and VENOLAC WS, a solvent NC lacquer that can be let down with water or with NC thinner.

The top coat is what the customer touches and what rub and flex tests hit first. An emulsion lacquer (LMF) is the usual choice for water-borne shops that want to iron at elevated temperature with reduced tack. A solvent lacquer (WS) is chosen for high gloss, silky handle and when solvent dye solutions are part of the season.

How Dyna Glycols manufactures leather lacquers

NC emulsions and solvent lacquers are manufactured to agreed solids, appearance and dilution behaviour. LMF is a white emulsion at about 14% solids, freely dilutable with water. WS is a pale-yellow medium-viscosity liquid at about 26% solids, compatible with solvent dye solutions.

Nitrocellulose products require the handling, storage and transport rules on the SDS: keep away from ignition sources for solvent grades, and protect emulsions from frost.

Typical grades in this range

Choose emulsion versus solvent top first, then dilution ratio for gloss versus fastness.

• VENOLAC LMF — NC lacquer emulsion; water dilutable; gloss, rub, flex; ironing up to about 100 °C
• VENOLAC WS — solvent NC lacquer; dilutable with water or NC thinner / butyl acetate; high gloss, soft handle

Where leather lacquers are used

LMF is sprayed as the top glossy protective coat on resin-finished shoe upper, leather goods and similar articles. Typical practice is 1:1 or 1:0.5 LMF:water depending on gloss and fastness. It reduces tack and allows high-temperature ironing.

WS is used when a silky high gloss and soft handle are required. For water dilution, add 1–2 parts water to 1 part lacquer, stir, rest ten minutes, stir again. For solvent dilution, up to 3 parts NC thinner or butyl acetate. It can carry solvent-based dye solutions for shaded tops.

Neither lacquer replaces the binder film. Poor adhesion is usually a base-coat or preparation issue. Trial the lacquer on the actual VENRES season, not on untreated crust.

How to specify leather lacquers

State water-borne versus solvent shop, required gloss, rub and flex tests, ironing temperature, and whether solvent dyes will be added. Share the current top-coat solids if a match is needed.

For automotive or furniture, list the specific rub and hydrolysis tests. NC tops may need a different stack than a pure PU top; say if NC is mandatory.

Quality, documents and supply

Lots are released against appearance, solids and dilution. SDS and COA follow verification. Gloss and rub must be measured on the customer finish stack after the recommended drying and ironing.

Store LMF frost-free; typical shelf life six months. Store WS as a flammable solvent product per SDS. Mix before use. Do not contaminate water-borne LMF with leftover solvent thinner.

Practical notes on leather lacquers

LMF solids are lower than WS; dilution ratios are not interchangeable millilitre for millilitre. Compare dry film weight, not wet grams, when switching.

Ironing: LMF is positioned to allow ironing up to about 100 °C. Confirm plate temperature on the tannery’s iron or roller; overheating can print or yellow NC.

WS water-dilution still starts as a solvent NC. VOC, flash point and workshop extraction remain the tannery’s responsibility. If the site must be water-only, specify LMF.

Flex and feel: a hard glossy top can harshen a soft garment season. Reduce top solids or plasticise the season rather than changing the acrylic binder first.

Repair and two-tone: WS with solvent dyes is the usual shading top. LMF is the cleaner water-borne protective gloss.

Dyna Glycols samples LMF and WS with the VENRES binders so gloss can be judged on the same crust and pigment.

Ordering and evaluating leather lacquers

Send the application, the analytical window and the pack size when you request a laboratory sample of leather lacquers. SDS, TDS and COA follow a short company check. Handle and store the grade as the SDS describes.