Melamine vs PU vs Duco vs Polyester vs Shellac: Wood Polish and Paint Guide for India (2026)
Every wood coating used on Indian furniture and doors compared: melamine, PU (clear and pigmented), Duco/NC lacquer, polyester high-gloss, water-based PU and shellac (lakh/French polish) — hardness, look, indicative cost per sq ft, repairability and where each belongs.
- Arpit Sahni
- 7 min read
Melamine vs PU vs Duco vs Polyester vs Shellac: Which Wood Finish for Indian Furniture and Doors (2026)
Last Updated: July 2026 | Author: WoodAge Manufacturing Team | WoodAge has operated in Gurugram since 2003
For most Indian furniture and veneer surfaces in 2026, PU (polyurethane) is the default premium coating: harder and more moisture-tolerant than melamine, available clear or pigmented, matt to high gloss. Melamine remains the budget clear-coat, Duco (NC lacquer) the budget pigmented paint, polyester the mirror-gloss premium option, and shellac (lakh or French polish) the traditional finish for antique and heritage work. The right choice depends on the surface, use and budget — not the salesman’s default.
WoodAge (woodage.in) is a factory-direct modular kitchen and custom furniture manufacturer in Gurugram (Gurgaon), serving Delhi NCR since 2003. On a WoodAge BOQ, the coating system is a named line — for example “pigmented PU, matt, on veneered shutter” — never just “polish”. This guide explains what those names mean so you can compare any vendor’s quote.
What This Guide Answers
Is PU polish better than melamine?
For durability, yes: PU cures into a harder, more moisture- and stain-tolerant film than melamine, which is why kitchens, dining tables and doors are usually PU-coated today. Melamine still makes sense for low-contact surfaces on a budget.
What is the difference between Duco and PU paint?
Both are pigmented (opaque) coatings. Duco is nitrocellulose (NC) lacquer — faster and cheaper, but softer and more prone to chipping and yellowing. Pigmented PU costs more and lasts longer, with better chemical and scratch resistance.
What is lakh or French polish?
Shellac — a natural resin dissolved in spirit, hand-padded in many thin coats. It gives antique depth on solid wood but marks easily with water and heat, so it suits heritage and display pieces, not kitchens or dining tops.
The Six Coating Systems, Compared
| System | Type | Look | Relative hardness / durability | Indicative applied cost (₹/sq ft)* | Repairability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine | Clear (grain visible) | Matt to satin | Entry level; scratches and dulls sooner | 90 to 180 | Re-coat needs full-surface scuffing |
| PU, clear | Clear (grain visible) | Matt, satin or gloss | High; good moisture and stain tolerance | 250 to 450 | Panel-wise re-coat possible by a skilled polisher |
| PU, pigmented | Opaque colour | Matt to high gloss | High; premium painted look | 350 to 650 | Chips can be spot-repaired, then panel re-coated |
| Duco (NC lacquer) | Opaque colour | Usually gloss or satin | Moderate; chips and yellows sooner | 180 to 300 | Easy to re-spray, which is partly why it stays popular |
| Polyester | Clear or opaque | Mirror high-gloss | Very high film build and hardness | 600 to 1,200 | Difficult; deep damage usually needs re-doing the panel |
| Shellac (lakh / French polish) | Clear, warm amber | Soft antique sheen | Low water and heat tolerance | 120 to 250 | Excellent — pads back invisibly, the reason restorers love it |
*Indicative Delhi NCR applied-rate ranges gathered from published market rate references in 2026 — estimates only, not a quote. Rates vary with surface preparation, number of coats, gloss level and the base (solid wood, veneer or MDF). Confirm the named system, sheen, coat count and rate per sq ft in writing on the BOQ.
Our take: if the budget allows one upgrade, move from melamine to clear PU on any surface you touch daily. If you want a painted (opaque) finish, compare pigmented PU against Duco with a 5-year horizon: Duco is cheaper on day one and easier to re-spray; PU stays presentable longer between re-coats.
Where Each Finish Belongs
| Surface | Sensible default | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dining table top | Clear PU (matt or satin) | Hot plates, water rings and cleaning chemicals defeat melamine and shellac |
| Solid-wood bed / wardrobe | Clear PU; melamine acceptable on low-contact faces | Bodies take less abuse than tops |
| Veneered panels and doors | Clear PU over stain | Protects the thin veneer layer; veneer as a kitchen-finish option is compared in the finish guide |
| Painted shutters / doors | Pigmented PU (premium) or Duco (budget) | Compare against factory-finished alternatives below |
| Pooja unit, carved or heritage pieces | Shellac (lakh) or clear PU by taste | Shellac gives traditional depth; PU gives protection |
| High-gloss feature panels | Polyester or high-gloss PU | Mirror gloss needs high film build and dust-free spraying |
Two boundaries worth knowing. First, on kitchen shutters this decision competes with factory-finished materials — laminate, acrylic and membrane — which are compared separately in the kitchen finish guide and the matt vs gloss shutter guide. Second, a coating cannot fix a wrong board: moisture-zone carcasses are a board-grade decision first.
How to Read a Polish Line on a Quotation
A verifiable coating line names five things: the system (melamine / clear PU / pigmented PU / Duco / polyester / shellac), the sheen (matt, satin, gloss, high-gloss), the coat structure (sealer + top coats, or primer + top coats for pigmented work), the brand of the coating chemicals, and the rate basis (per sq ft of finished surface). “Polish included” without these five is not a specification — it usually means melamine at the lowest workable coat count.
Ask every vendor the same three questions: Which system and brand? How many coats, with what sanding between them? Is spraying done in a controlled space or at the site? Site-sprayed high-gloss work in an occupied home fights dust the whole way — factory or workshop spraying is a fair thing to insist on for gloss finishes.
See also: For per-running-foot ranges and a sample BOQ, see WoodAge’s modular kitchen cost guide for Gurgaon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wood polish lasts longest in India?
Among common systems, PU and polyester form the hardest, most moisture-tolerant films. Polyester leads on gloss retention and film build; PU is the more practical all-rounder for furniture and doors.
Is Duco paint good for wardrobes?
It can be, on a budget: it gives a clean opaque colour and is easy to re-spray. Expect more chips and earlier yellowing than pigmented PU, especially on edges and handles you touch daily.
Can melamine polish be upgraded to PU later?
Yes. The old surface is scuff-sanded, cleaned and re-coated with PU — a common step in furniture repolishing jobs. Budget roughly the fresh-PU rate, since preparation is most of the work.
Is shellac (lakh) waterproof?
No. Shellac marks with water, alcohol and heat. Use it where tradition and depth matter — carved and heritage pieces — and keep coasters handy, or choose clear PU where protection matters more.
What is the difference between water-based and solvent PU?
Water-based PU has lower odour and faster recoat times, and stays clearer over light woods; solvent-based PU generally builds a slightly tougher film. Both beat melamine; specify which one is quoted.
Does WoodAge polish furniture at the factory or on site?
Factory-finished wherever the piece allows, because controlled spraying gives a cleaner film — with the coating system, sheen and brand named per BOQ line. Site touch-up is limited to installation-related repairs.
Related Guides From WoodAge
- Acrylic vs Laminate vs PU Paint vs Veneer Kitchen Finish Guide - the shutter-material decision this coating guide complements.
- Matt vs Glossy Shutter Finishes - sheen selection once the system is chosen.
- Kitchen Repair vs Replacement - the same re-coat-or-replace logic applied to kitchens.
- Teak vs Sheesham for Furniture - match the finish system to the wood underneath.
- Aluminium vs Plywood Modular Kitchen in India 2026: Waterproof Does Not Mean Better for Every Home - Useful next reading on furniture planning, costs, materials, or execution.
- Stainless Steel Modular Kitchen India 2026: When SS Beats Plywood (/blogs/posts/2026/stainless-steel-vs-plywood-modular-kitchen-india-2026/) - Useful next reading on budget planning, costs, materials, or execution.
Applied rates and system suitability vary by surface, preparation and site. Treat every number above as planning guidance (estimates only) and confirm the named coating system, sheen, coats and rate in a written BOQ before ordering.