What is the difference between lacquer and paint thinner?

Answer 1

Lacquer thinner evaporates quicker. It is cleaner or leaves less of a film than paint thinner. Lacquer thinner will thin most solvent based paint but paint thinner shouldn't be used to thin Lacquer. Lacquer dries from the surface painted out and enammal dries from the surface of the paint down to the surface painted. Using the wrong thinner affects how the paint dries and may affect the final finish.

Answer 2

Lacquer finishes are easier to apply than polyurethanes, as they can be a little bit more forgiving, particularly when brushing the lacquer. They dry much faster and tend to show far fewer brush strokes. While lacquer finishes aren't quite as durable as polyurethanes, they are much easier to repair if any damage occurs. As an added bonus, lacquer can be used to protect metals as well. NOTE: Polyurethane and lacquer do not play well together. As such, you can't apply polyurethane over a lacquer finish or vice versa. * http://woodworking.about.com/od/finishing/p/LacquerFinishes.htm

Answer 3

Paint thinner is mineral spirits. Lacquer thinner is hotter than paint thinner and is used to thin lacquer paint,to clean surfaces prior to painting and to clean up some dried paints.