(11) Lacquer

Quick drying solvent based paints are termed as "Lacquer", in general. With oil based paints and synthetic resin paints so far, there are large differences in the molecular weight of the paint and coating, however, with lacquer the molecular weight of the main components of the coating are amply large and the coatings are formed just by the solvents evaporating. Once the coatings are formed, they can be solved in the solvents again.
Depending on the main coating component types, there are cellulose derivative lacquer, vinyl based lacquer, acrylic based lacquer. But when its called simply "lacquer", it points to nitrocellulose lacquer. In addition, there are other classifications also, such as by applications and painting methods, likes of "for wood", "for metals" and "lacquer base coats".

(1) Nitrocellulose lacquer (NC lacquer)

This is a quick drying lacquer type with durable coating widely in use, having nitrocellulose, resin, and plasticizer as the coating components. Alkyd resin, vinyl, acrylic, melamine, etc. are added to nitrocellulose (NC) with cellulose dissolved in nitric acid. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dioctyl phthalate (DOP), etc. are used as the plasticizer.
The solvents are the mixed type, not only giving fluidity but the solvents have influences on drying, coating surface conditions, gloss, and as important as having effects on various properties of the coatings. In these cases, mixtures of esters, ketones, and glucose esters, alcohols are used. The NC lacquers are: high-solid lacquer, hot spray lacquer, electrostatic painting lacquer, lacquer base coats.

(2) Etching primer (Wash primer)

High-solid lacquers with increased solid contents excel in gloss, adhesion, and weatherability, and are frequently used for auto repairs and wood working. This a combination of metal surface treatment and anti-rust primer made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) kneaded together with zinc chromate as anti-rusting pigments, and phosphoric acid added prior to use. On metal surfaces, PVB, zinc chromate, phosphoric acid react in a complex manner to form non-active coatings. This pretreatment is vital for metal painting, especially for corrosion prevention and adhesion improvements on aluminum and galvanized steel sheets.

(3) Acrylic lacquer

These are type of lacquer with the main coating components of thermoplastic acrylic resins such as acrylic acid, methacrylic ester, styrene, and vinyl acetate, forming the coatings by just by evaporation of the solvents. Acrylic lacquers are exceptionally good in transparency, gloss retention, color retention, and weatherability. Especially, the metallic colors are beautiful and used on metal products such as on exterior painting of automobiles, railway vehicles, high quality finishes on home appliances, office equipment, and etc.