Technical manager Martin Straub introduces us to the wide Heidelberg range, which is only intended for use on hardwood. In his talk, there are a number of fixed arguments for choosing either one lacquer or another. For instance, you need to consider in advance the maximum drying time and how long the customer can/will wait to use the staircase again. Other issues include scratch resistance and anti-slip properties, chemical resistance, the appearance, the curing time for 2-component paints, the application method (by hand or via spraying), and so on.

HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK
We start off with the HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK. HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK is a water dilutable one component coating for stairs, used as primer and top coat. It is an environment-friendly and nearly odorless coating. After hardening, the coating has the same characteristics as a two component polyurethane coating and it can be used on all wood types.
“Using this lacquer, the stair builder can lacquer two times, with very fast drying times. You only need to wait 3 hours between the 1st and 2nd layer, which means the customer can afterwards use the staircase very quickly”, Mr. Straub explains. “If you are looking for a very good abrasion and chemical resistance, this is your ideal product. It also has an excellent resistance against handcreme, which is important to know for the handrail.”

HD-AQUA PUR ISOLIERFÜLLER
The second product is called HD-AQUA PUR ISOLIERFÜLLER White. This system is mainly aimed at coloured staircases. Weiss is a water dilutable two component filler, based on polyurethane and acrylate dispersion with low swelling.

“You apply the two component HD-AQUA PUR ISOLIERFÜLLER White two times”, we hear. “With this filler system you have insulation against tints in the wood and there is no change of colour. This product is also not influenced by the substances in the wood. Special about this system is that there are also no problems with the very long potlife, that goes up to 4 hours. Even if you didn’t manage to use it during that time, there is still no problem, as it doesn’t harden in the pot and a liquid system always remains. The only thing you have to do following those 4 hours is mix it again, so you don’t get problems when reapplying.”

HD-AQUA TOP COLOR
Next in line is the HD-AQUA TOP COLOR. HD-AQUA TOP COLOR is also a system for colour lacquer. It is a fast drying, pigmented water coating system with a good coverage.
“HD-AQUA TOP COLOR can easily and without any problems be applied, especially for vertical systems. This is a product that is sprayed”, says Mr. Straub. “In a first and second step, you will need to use the insulation filler we described earlier on, in a third step the HD-AQUA TOP COLOR is applied. Any colour is possible: black, red, whatever… As a last step, one must apply the colourless transparent HD-AQUA PUR TREPPENLACK.
The result of the work will be a very good colour stability, because there are no problems whatsoever with yellowing, abrasion and chemical resistance. It is also very UV-stable.”

NATUR HARTWACHS and NATUR HARTWACHSÖL
In a somewhat different category, we can classify the hardwax lacquers, a combination between oils and waxes. Here, Heidelberg Coatings brings its NATUR HARTWACHS and the NATUR HARTWACHSÖL to the market. NATUR HARTWACHS is a high-grade wood finish, developed from the latest findings in natural surface coatings based on near-natural raw materials. NATUR HARTWACHSÖL is very similar, but is applied differently. Both are viscous oil-wax combinations, with high non-volatile matter based on renewable oils and wax components, intended to be used on staircases, on furniture and in interior design.

“The first product comes in a spray application, that is sprayed two times in a quantity of about 40 to 45 grammes per m². The drying time between the layers is around 2 hours, while you can reuse the stairs after around 8 hours. Special about this product is its very high chemical resistance. In other words, you don’t have problems with drying, red wine, cleaning products,…”, we are told. “If you need to apply by hand, NATUR HARTWACHSÖL is your solution. This product is nearly the same as the NATUR HARTWACHS, but it is is applied by hand and also can ne used to repair a complete staircase. The drying time is a little bit longer, but the result after its application is exactly the same.”

NATUR 2K ÖLFINISH
Last but not least, we notice the both colourless and coloured versions of NATUR 2K ÖLFINISH. This product is a high-quality wood finish, based on the latest knowledge of natural surface coatings using renewable raw materials. It is suitable for surfaces subject to high stress and high water resistance in the entire staircase, parquet, furniture and interior finishing.

“This product is developed for application by hand as well”, concludes Mr. Straub. “It is especially recommended when you use colours. There is only need for one layer of application on the stairs, but that goes hand in hand with regular maintenance, using our special NATUR PFLEGEÖL. This care oil for oiled stair, parquet and furniture surfaces is used to freshen up oiled and waxed surfaces. It is used for both initial care and maintenance care. NATUR PFLEGEÖL has a drying time from 6 to 9 hours, in combination with good, diagonal ventilation.”