Lacquer has more than just an optical function on surfaces, but also a protective one. It's like that because of its absolutely dense layer of art- or natural resin almost predestined for watertight sealing of wooden surfaces. The best example is the kitchen worktop made of solid wood, which has to be permanently protected from the humidity and wetness that often occurs in everyday kitchen life.
TO SEAL
It is extremely important, especially in the area of the kitchen worktop, literally covering the object with a thick layer of lacquer (see diagram). Of course, this includes all existing and self-produced cutting edges, especially that of the sink cutout. Every "leaky" spot prepares the water for the bare wood, which reacts to this encounter in the familiar manner with swelling or visible edges. So care is required, and that begins with the preparation of the wooden panel itself. You should always cut the edges of the cut-outs as straight and clean as possible and definitely include them in the three sanding operations that are obligatory on the surface. tip: Generously round off the cut-out edges with the router – Curves offer the paint more and therefore longer-lasting adhesion than sharp edges. Breaking the edges is also sufficient in an emergency.
Another tip: The first coat of clear coat should always be diluted. For synthetic resin paints use about 10 percent dilution (from the same manufacturer!), Dilute acrylic paints with approx 10 percent water.
Thinning the paint for the first coat has two effects: The resins penetrate deeper into the wood, the paint layer thus becomes thicker overall. Further, the very thin solution causes the wood fibers to do so, to get up.
The subsequent intermediate sanding breaks off the fibers and gives you a particularly smooth surface. Then paint the surface (and the edges!) at least twice with undiluted varnish.
IMPREGNATE
Impregnation also prevents water from penetrating the wood, however, in contrast to sealing, without closing the pores of the wood surface. advantage: The wood surface looks velvety, the grain remains a little livelier, Damaged areas can be repaired partially. Disadvantage: Impregnations must be refreshed regularly, the wood protection is not 100%, the maintenance of the surfaces is more complex.
Lacquers are completely unsuitable for impregnation due to their composition, only oils come here, Waxes and combinations of both are possible. Theoretically and according to the manufacturer's instructions, careful impregnation is also sufficient on the kitchen worktop with sink. However, practice shows, that water marks and swelling of the board occur much faster than with sealed wooden surfaces. So sealing is always preferable.