Melamine lacquer problems

[Terry Smart]

Simple answer.

Melamine Lacquer is not tested for use in food contact. Therefore we do not recommend it for that purpose, instead we have a Food Safe Finish. Whilst we have no evidence to suggest that the product is harmful, and we know many people use it for food contact with no adverse effects to health, we have never claimed that this product can be used in this situation.
There are of course many other exclusions where this product shouldn't be used (exterior work, items that will be submersed, coatings for Jumbo Jets etc) but we cannot be expected to list all of them on the label. Not that in this case the label was checked anyway.

Melamine Lacquer (and several other of our products) are independently tested to the EN-71 Part 3 regulations which concern the use of coatings on children's toys and nursery furniture. We have certificates available regarding this should they be requested.

We never make a claim we cannot substantiate nor that we are unhappy with. Anecdotal evidence/ideas from others circulated on the internet should not always be taken as gospel truth.

I hope that clarifies some points.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I think we need to be rather pedantic in cases like this -" food safe" meaning it doesn't affect food, is a different to "food proof" - meaning it won't let food affect the substrate.

 

[OldWood]

Simple answer.

Melamine Lacquer is not tested for use in food contact. Therefore we do not recommend it for that purpose, instead we have a Food Safe Finish. Whilst we have no evidence to suggest that the product is harmful, and we know many people use it for food contact with no adverse effects to health, we have never claimed that this product can be used in this situation.
There are of course many other exclusions where this product shouldn't be used (exterior work, items that will be submersed, coatings for Jumbo Jets etc) but we cannot be expected to list all of them on the label. Not that in this case the label was checked anyway.

Melamine Lacquer (and several other of our products) are independently tested to the EN-71 Part 3 regulations which concern the use of coatings on children's toys and nursery furniture. We have certificates available regarding this should they be requested.

We never make a claim we cannot substantiate nor that we are unhappy with. Anecdotal evidence/ideas from others circulated on the internet should not always be taken as gospel truth.

I hope that clarifies some points.

The trouble is that there is a perception that if a product is declared Child Safe - that is safe for a 6 month baby trying to stick it in his/her mouth - then there is an implication that it is Food Safe. It is an easy and logical step to take. A misapprehension may be, but logical one many turners take I would suggest.

I'm not asking Chestnut to defend themselves, short of agreeing that it is a confusing area, as I knowingly allowed the bowl to be used. My aim in posting was to alert turners to a problem I have found.

CHJ has found that the product works OK for fruit bowls, but suggests that the application was faulty and that the lacquer has lifted - no, it is the surface that has been attacked.

Maybe this product is OK - it certainly is a good finish in very quick time, but Food Tolerant it certainly is not, which could indicate it is not Food Safe, and for me by extrapolation I won't be using it on anything that has a requirement for Child Safety.

Rob

 

[tekno.mage]

I too have had a melamine laquer finish fail on me - twice in fact. One instance was a beech box lid (finished with two coats of melamine lacquer and well cured) which got rain drips on it whilst sitting for sale on a stall - the rain drips left marks on the finish.

The other was a bowl finished in Melamine lacquer whidh had salt and vinegar crips left in it over night (shouldn;t have happened of course) - whether it was the salt or the combination of the salt and acid from the venegar I don;t know, but this also damaged the finish leaving it rough and patchy.

I now use Hardwax oil finishe instead of melamine lacquer for most jobs and find it more durable.

 

[woodyturner]

I have always used an oil finish on food bowls but I have just started experimenting with hard wax oil and so far it looks very good and so quick compared to oil