Coatings are an excellent way to cover a wood-based composite panel substrate for multiple design aesthetics. Coatings are available in decorative color finishes as well as clear protective topcoats, which enhance millwork and cabinetry to achieve a variety of gloss and texture finishes for compo-site panels. These coatings can be found in both liquid and powder forms. Additionally, paint can be combined with special inks for applications that require printed wood grain patterns, abstract designs, or specific color finishes.

Most coatings are custom formulated to match the unique configuration of prefinished lines and meet the specific needs of the intended application, optimizing performance. The surface of composite panels, especially MDF, allows for seamless coating and printing, ensuring consistently flawless, defect-free finishes.

Liquid Coatings: These serve as essential industrial decorative surfaces, with both water-based and solvent-based options continually advancing in performance. These coatings are widely used for finishing cabinets, furniture, exterior siding, millwork, trim, flooring, and fixtures.

Water-Based Acrylic Latex Coatings: These coatings are versatile and designed for industrial, commercial, and residential applications, both indoors and outdoors. These coatings can be enhanced with various resins and cross-linking agents to improve service life, exterior durability, and resistance to chemicals, corrosion, and water.

One key benefit is their low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, which helps maintain better indoor air quality. These coatings excel in exterior durability and color retention, thanks to the acrylic resins used.

Solvent-Based Coatings: Known for their exceptional chemical and wear resistance, solvent-based coatings are perfect for high-gloss finishes with superior chemical and wear resistance. Their durability makes them popular in furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing. Solvent-based coatings' higher VOC content requires specialized air handling in industrial environments to meet health and safety standards.

MORE INFO   Design Portfolio Read the complete Design Portfolio: The definitive guide to sourcing decorative surfaces and composite panels.   Composite Panel Association  More information, plus industry news, testing & certification, policy and stewardship at the Composite Panel Association's website CompositePanel.org

Coatings Add Color & Style
Water-based, solvent-based, UV, and powder coatings transform furniture and cabinetry with vibrant color and lasting protection. The right choice and application unlock a stunning, high-quality finish that enhances every detail.

Ultra-Violet (UV) Coatings: UV coatings stand out for their faster curing process, triggered almost instantly by UV radiation. This makes them incredibly tough, durable, and long-lasting. Typically used as clear coats and sealers, UV coatings offer high-performance protection in less time than other coating types.

Powder Coatings: Originally developed as an alternative for coating metal, powder coating was adapted for wood products, particularly MDF, in the 1990s. This method significantly reduces waste, with nearly 95% transfer efficiency and minimal VOC emissions.

Powder coating is an advanced technique that applies a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of materials in both industrial and consumer applications. It delivers a consistent, durable finish and is ideal for contoured components. Available in an extensive variety of colors, textures, and finishes, powder coating enhances both aesthetic appeal and functionality.

The powder used for the process is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin sprayed onto a surface to be coated. The charged particles adhere to the electrically grounded surface until they are heated and cured, creating a smooth or textured finish that is both uniform and durable. This single-stage application ensures all exposed surfaces are coated simultaneously.

Benefits of powder coating include increased design flexibility, cost efficiency, and seamless edges. It is highly resistant to heat, moisture, abrasion, staining, and fading, making it ideal for use on appliances, machinery, furniture, and fixtures.