Water-Borne vs. Water-Based – Question of the Week
This weeks question comes from Yoann. He asks: What is the difference between “water-based” and “waterborne” finishes, is it the same? If not, can any finish be either water-based or waterborne?
Thanks for the clarification !!
Hey Yoann. Not a stupid question at all. Its another example of labels not doing us any favors! As most people use it, the term “water-based” is pretty much a misnomer. To call something water-based suggests that you can redissolve it in water, which is not the case with these finishes. These water-containing finishes are actually still solvent based. And if memory serves me, I believe the reason folks started calling them “water-based” was to distinguish them from traditional solvent-based finishes.
So how do these finishes work? The most common mixtures generally contain three main components: the polyurethane or acrylic, a solvent (usually glycol ether), and water. After the finish is applied to a surface, the water begins to evaporate. Soon after, the solvent evaporates and the finish particles fuse together to become a single layer. So even though these finishes are solvent-based, water is the carrier, hence the term, “water-borne”.
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O.K. Marc, So, if I followed you correctly water based is just the incorrect term for waterborne. Is that correct?
That’s exactly right Vic. But water-based is a valid term for anything that dissolves in water, like certain paints or dyes.
Marc,
Thanks for the explanation of water-based (or water-borne) materials. Does that mean that a spray gun used for these materials needs to be cleaned with solvents, rather than water? Sounds like it….
Please don’t ask me what I have been cleaning my HVLP gun with. The answer is probably going to be embarrassing.
Sorry I missed your question Warren. If you use a spray gun with water-borne, its a good idea to clean it with a solvent. You’ll notice that the acrylic or poly likes to stick to the interior parts of the gun and even the inside of the can. Now there are times when I’ve done a quick spray, then cleaned the gun with the little brushes and some water, and called it a day. But if you do a decent amount of spraying, you are going to want to use a solvent to clean the gun thoroughly. Better safe then sorry.
Good luck!