Wood coatings are resin-based finishes applied to the surfaces of wood products; common types include polyester and polyurethane coatings. They are categorized by solvent type (water-based vs. oil-based), gloss level (high-gloss, semi-matte, or matte), and application (such as furniture or floor coatings). Their history dates back to the Stone Age; natural lacquer was used to coat implements as early as the Shang Dynasty in China, and the technique of blending raw lacquer with tung oil was developed during the Warring States period. Natural wood coating is commonly known as "Da-qi" (Chinese lacquer); the sap harvested from lacquer trees is called "raw sap," which becomes "raw lacquer" after being filtered through white cloth. The application of synthetic resins in the 20th century drove the development of the coatings industry.
Key varieties include nitrocellulose lacquer, polyester coatings, polyurethane coatings, water-based wood coatings, nano-coatings, and natural wood coatings. Water-based wood coatings are becoming increasingly popular due to their superior environmental performance; other eco-friendly technologies include low-VOC options such as radiation-cured, powder, and high-solids coatings.
