Water based lacquer vs polyurethane. Water based oil modified polyurethane is a relatively new product that combines the durability of an oil base with the cleanup of a water base. Water based is faster to cure and less toxic when applying but also slightly less durable than oil based. Like lacquer polyurethane is a finish that you can use for wooden furniture. It also can go over oil based finishes and can be applied using synthetic bristle brushes a foam roller or a rag as can other water based polyurethanes.
This product can actually be used on wooden floors. Calling a water based a lacquer or polyurethane is more a marketing ply than it is an aid to classifying the finish. Each water based product is its own animal. The finish can be from a gloss down to flat.
It can be applied on either by wiping or spraying. You can also choose the polyurethane finish you like from satin to glossy. Rather than be concerned with what resin is inside the globule of water based finish you only need to know certain properties of that particular finish. There are two kinds of polyurethane.
If woodworkers prefer solvent based lacquer for a variety of reasons things are slightly different with polyurethane. Polyurethane is naturally glossy so the manufacturers add a flattening paste to reduce the gloss. It leaves no yellowish color on the wood surface and dries relatively faster than the oil based counterpart. The water based polyurethane is less toxic and odorless.
Here are some affiliate links to finishes i recommend if you click and buy i make a few pennies from amazon. However a water based polyurethane does not withstand heat well.