Coating vs. Lacquer — What's the Difference?

A coating is a covering that is applied to the surface of an object, usually referred to as the substrate. The purpose of applying the coating may be decorative, functional, or both.Paints and lacquers are coatings that mostly have dual uses of protecting the substrate and being decorative, although some artists paints are only for decoration, and the paint on large industrial pipes is presumably only for the function of preventing corrosion.

The term lacquer is used for a number of hard and potentially shiny finishes applied to materials such as wood or metal. These fall into a number of very different groups.

A layer of a substance spread over a surface as for protection or decoration; a covering layer.

Any of various clear or colored synthetic coatings made by dissolving nitrocellulose or other cellulose derivatives together with plasticizers and pigments in a mixture of volatile solvents and used to impart a high gloss to surfaces.

Cloth for making coats.

A glossy, resinous material, such as the processed sap of the lacquer tree, used as a surface coating.

A thin outer layer.

A finish that is baked onto the inside of food and beverage cans.

(archaic) Cloth for making coats.

To coat with lacquer.

A telling-off; a reprimand.

To give a sleek, glossy finish to.

Present participle of coat

A glossy, resinous material used as a surface coating; either a natural exudation of certain trees, or a solution of nitrocellulose in alcohol, etc.

A coat or covering; a layer of any substance, as a cover or protection; as, the coating of a retort or vial.

A similar finish, baked onto the inside of cans.

Cloth for coats; as, an assortment of coatings.

To apply a lacquer to something or to give something a smooth, glossy finish.

A thin layer covering something;

A varnish, consisting of a solution of shellac in alcohol, often colored with gamboge, saffron, or the like; - used for varnishing metals, papier-maché, and wood. The name is also given to varnishes made of other ingredients, esp. the tough, solid varnish of the Japanese, with which ornamental objects are made.

A decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance);

To cover with lacquer.

A heavy fabric suitable for coats

A black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish

The work of applying something;

A hard glossy coating

Coat with lacquer;