What Is Conversion Varnish?

Choosing the right finish for your kitchen cabinets can be a big decision. You have several options, including varnishes and lacquers. Conversion varnish is an increasingly popular option thanks to several factors. Catalyzed conversion varnish is incredibly durable, making it particularly well-suited to kitchens and high-traffic areas where messes and humidity are common.

Before you decide how to finish your cabinets, here's what you need to know about conversion varnish:

When you choose conversion varnish, you're getting durability you can trust, but only if it's applied correctly.

Most people turn to either varnish or lacquer to finish their pieces. Both varnish and lacquer dry through solvent evaporation, although lacquer tends to dry quicker than varnish.

Conversion varnish is a type of lacquer for cabinets or other woodwork that provides a clear, protective finish. It's made up of two parts: resin and a hardening agent. Rather than air-curing like most conventional lacquers, conversion varnish requires you to add a hardening agent to initiate a chemical curing process known as cross-linking. The catalyzed varnish can then be applied to wood. Applying heat accelerates the cure and creates the hardest finish you can get on the market.

As conversion varnish dries, it clears and creates a glossy or satin appearance that can help enhance the natural look of the wood.

The pros of conversion varnish are particularly advantageous if you need durable results that will continue to look great for years to come.

Kitchens can go through a lot of wear and tear that can spell trouble for cabinets over time. However, when you apply conversion varnish to your wood, you get long-lasting durability that outperforms other options on the market.

This enhanced durability comes from a few factors. The dry film thickness is twice as thick as lacquer, reducing the likelihood of scratches or other visible damage. Beyond that, the chemical curing process causes its molecules to cross-link, which makes them more flexible than traditional varnishes. So, conversion varnish is less likely to crack or peel over time.

Even better, conversion varnish resists yellowing over time — which traditional varnishes and lacquers are prone to — for long-lasting results you'll love.

Because conversion varnish has a higher solid content than lacquer, you don't have to use as many coats to create a protective film. In other words, you won't have to use as much product or time to create an effective, durable coating. This also helps minimize the risk of creating uneven layers.

Not only is conversion varnish durable, it's also non-porous. Both of these factors help improve the ease of cleaning. Contaminants won't penetrate and mar the finish, and you'll be able to scrub away at your cabinets whenever grease, grime, or food gets on them.

The benefits of conversion varnish come with some cons that need to be considered as well. From being more difficult to apply to longer curing times, certain factors may weigh heavily on your decision to use this finish.

Although conversion varnish requires fewer coats to create a durable finish, the application process can be difficult. It takes a skilled hand to mix the components correctly and spray the surfaces.

If you don't mix or apply it properly, all the benefits discussed above become irrelevant. The varnish can adhere poorly, change colors, or create an uneven, crack-prone finish. Applying conversion varnish yourself isn't recommended if you're a casual DIYer.

Conversion varnish hardens pretty quickly, but it takes much longer to cure. In some cases, it can take longer than 10 days to fully cure, causing you to have to extend your project timeline.

In many cases, you get what you pay for, and that rings true with conversion varnish. It tends to be much costlier than most other lacquers, plus it requires more application equipment. However, keep in mind that this finish is highly durable and will last.