Lacquer vs. Enamel — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Lacquer is a clear or colored varnish that dries quickly and produces a hard, durable finish. Enamel is a paint that air-dries to a glossy, hard, or semi-glossy finish that's washable and can even be glossy or matte.
Difference Between Lacquer and Enamel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Lacquer is a finishing product that dries by solvent evaporation, offering a quick-drying, glossy finish. It's typically thinner than enamel and can be applied in multiple coats. Lacquer tends to produce a softer finish, but it's less durable and less resistant to damage over time.
Enamel, on the other hand, is a type of paint that offers a durable, hardened finish, often with a high gloss. Enamels are generally oil-based or water-based, and they dry through the process of oxidation, which can take longer. The end result is often a thicker, tougher layer that's more resistant to environmental factors.
Lacquer is commonly used for furniture, instruments, and automotive finishes, but it can be sensitive to heat and solvents. It's less versatile than enamel, which is used on a variety of surfaces, including wood, metal, glass, and ceramics. Enamel is more durable, making it suitable for high-traffic areas and surfaces that require frequent cleaning.
Lacquer requires a specialized thinner for cleanup and application adjustments, whereas enamel can often be thinned using regular mineral spirits. This makes enamel somewhat easier to work with for the average DIYer.
Both lacquer and enamel have their distinct advantages and disadvantages. While lacquer is quicker to dry and offers a polished finish, enamel provides a thicker, more durable coat. Your choice between the two will depend on the specific needs of your project.
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Comparison Chart
Drying Mechanism
Evaporation of solvent
Oxidation
Durability
Less durable
More durable
Finish
Glossy, less thick
Glossy or matte, thicker
Common Use
Furniture, instruments
Wood, metal, glass, ceramic
Cleanup
Specialized thinner
Mineral spirits
Compare with Definitions
Lacquer
Often used on furniture and musical instruments.
The piano had a beautiful lacquer finish.
Enamel
A vitreous, usually opaque, protective or decorative coating baked on metal, glass, or ceramic ware.
Lacquer
A quick-drying varnish with a glossy finish.
He applied lacquer to the wooden table.
Enamel
An object having such a coating, as in a piece of cloisonné.
Lacquer
Sensitive to heat and solvents.
Avoid using harsh cleaners on the lacquered surface.
Enamel
A coating that dries to a hard glossy finish
Nail enamel.
Lacquer
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.
Enamel
A paint that dries to a hard glossy finish.
Lacquer
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.
Enamel
(Anatomy) The hard, calcareous substance covering the exposed portion of a tooth.
Lacquer
A glossy, resinous material, such as the processed sap of the lacquer tree, used as a surface coating.
Enamel
To coat, inlay, or decorate with enamel.
Lacquer
A finish that is baked onto the inside of food and beverage cans.
Enamel
To give a glossy or brilliant surface to.
Lacquer
To coat with lacquer.
Enamel
To adorn with a brightly colored surface.
Lacquer
To give a sleek, glossy finish to.
Enamel
An opaque, glassy coating baked onto metal or ceramic objects.
Lacquer
A glossy, resinous material used as a surface coating; either a natural exudation of certain trees, or a solution of nitrocellulose in alcohol, etc.
Enamel
A coating that dries to a hard, glossy finish.
Lacquer
A similar finish, baked onto the inside of cans.
Enamel
The hard covering on the exposed part of a tooth.
Lacquer
To apply a lacquer to something or to give something a smooth, glossy finish.
Enamel
A cosmetic intended to give the appearance of a smooth and beautiful complexion.
Lacquer
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.
Enamel
(transitive) To coat or decorate with enamel.
Lacquer
To cover with lacquer.
Enamel
(transitive) To variegate with colours, as if with enamel.
Lacquer
A black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish
Enamel
(transitive) To form a glossy surface like enamel upon.
To enamel card paper; to enamel leather or cloth
Lacquer
A hard glossy coating
Enamel
(transitive) To disguise with cosmetics, as a woman's complexion.
Lacquer
Coat with lacquer;
A lacquered box from China
Enamel
A variety of glass, used in ornament, to cover a surface, as of metal or pottery, and admitting of after decoration in color, or used itself for inlaying or application in varied colors.
Lacquer
Requires specialized thinners for application and cleanup.
I had to buy lacquer thinner separately.
Enamel
A glassy, opaque bead obtained by the blowpipe.
Lacquer
Less durable than enamel finishes.
The lacquer scratched easily on the guitar.
Enamel
That which is enameled; also, any smooth, glossy surface, resembling enamel, especially if variegated.
Enamel
The intensely hard calcified tissue entering into the composition of teeth. It merely covers the exposed parts of the teeth of man, but in many animals is intermixed in various ways with the dentine and cement.
Enamel
Any one of various preparations for giving a smooth, glossy surface like that of enamel.
Enamel
A cosmetic intended to give the appearance of a smooth and beautiful complexion.
Enamel
To lay enamel upon; to decorate with enamel whether inlaid or painted.
Enamel
To variegate with colors as if with enamel.
Oft he [the serpent]bowedHis turret crest and sleek enameled neck.
Enamel
To form a glossy surface like enamel upon; as, to enamel card paper; to enamel leather or cloth.
Enamel
To disguise with cosmetics, as a woman's complexion.
Enamel
To practice the art of enameling.
Enamel
Relating to the art of enameling; as, enamel painting.
Enamel
Hard white substance covering the crown of a tooth
Enamel
A colored glassy compound (opaque or partially opaque) that is fused to the surface of metal or glass or pottery for decoration or protection
Enamel
A paint that dries to a hard glossy finish
Enamel
Any smooth glossy coating that resembles ceramic glaze
Enamel
Coat, inlay, or surface with enamel
Enamel
A paint that offers a hardened finish.
I used enamel paint for the kitchen cabinets.
Enamel
Air-dries to a glossy or semi-glossy finish.
The enamel gave a nice glossy finish to the metal railing.
Enamel
Versatile in application surfaces.
Enamel works well on both wood and metal.
Enamel
Requires longer drying time.
The enamel paint took overnight to dry.
Enamel
Can be thinned with mineral spirits.
I used mineral spirits to thin the enamel.
Common Curiosities
What is Lacquer?
Lacquer is a fast-drying varnish with a glossy finish.
Is Lacquer durable?
Lacquer is generally less durable than enamel.
How do you clean Lacquer?
Specialized thinner is usually needed.
How does Enamel dry?
Enamel dries through oxidation.
How does Lacquer dry?
Lacquer dries through solvent evaporation.
Is Enamel durable?
Enamel is more durable and long-lasting.
How do you apply Lacquer?
Typically with a sprayer, but it can also be brushed.
What is Enamel?
Enamel is a type of paint that dries to a hard, often glossy, finish.
Is Lacquer water-resistant?
Generally, no, it's sensitive to solvents and moisture.
How do you apply Enamel?
It can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed.
What is Lacquer commonly used for?
Furniture, musical instruments, and sometimes automotive finishes.
What is Enamel commonly used for?
Various surfaces including wood, metal, and ceramic.
Is Enamel water-resistant?
Yes, it is often water and weather-resistant.
How do you clean Enamel?
Mineral spirits or water, depending on the base.
Which is easier to work with, Lacquer or Enamel?
Enamel is often considered easier for DIY projects due to easier cleanup and versatility.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
