Question
We are thinking about switching from a catalyzed lacquer finish to a conversion varnish. Some say we need to heat cure the varnish, others say air drying is all we need to do. What are the advantages and disadvantages of heat drying?
Conversion varnish is a thermoset finish, meaning it cures faster with heat.
You need to be careful how high your temperature is, because that will play a role in determining how much catalyst to use. This varies further based on the manufacturer. I would recommend checking with your product rep for specs. All products have different requirements.
Comment from contributor A:
We use Sherwin Williams CV and force dry the product at 120 degrees. Depending on the number of coats used drying time varies from 1/2 hour to 3 1/2 hours. We use 1 oz. catalyst per 1 quart of varnish.
