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Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 4)

Release time:

2026-03-13 06:55

Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 4)

In UV wood coating applications, pinholes are a common and troublesome film defect. The coating surface is dotted with tiny, visually discernible holes—circular or elliptical in shape—with slightly raised edges and a depressed center that extends down to the underlying coating layer or even the substrate itself. When densely distributed, they resemble the marks left by needle pricks, appearing as discrete dark spots under illumination and feeling like fine depressions to the touch. In clear topcoats, pinholes readily trap dust, forming black specks; in pigmented coatings, they lead to color inconsistencies, severely compromising both the aesthetic quality and stain resistance of the finished product. Although small, pinholes reflect a delicate imbalance between gas release during film formation and subsequent curing, revealing the complex interplay of bubble evolution, substrate characteristics, and solvent evaporation, among other factors.

I. Description of the Phenomenon

The paint film surface is dotted with tiny, visually discernible pores. These pores are typically circular or elliptical, with slightly raised rims and depressed centers that extend down to the underlying paint layers or even the substrate surface. Although each pore is minuscule, it is clearly visible; when densely packed, they resemble the marks left by needle pricks, appearing as discrete dark spots under illumination. A gentle touch reveals a subtle indentation. Under magnification, the interiors of the pinholes are usually smooth, with the underlying paint layer or wood grain visible at the bottom. Pinholes may be sparsely distributed or densely cover the entire surface. When a clear topcoat is applied, dust tends to accumulate in the pinholes, eventually forming black spots over time; when a pigmented coating is used, the color at the pinhole sites differs markedly from that of the surrounding areas.

II. In-depth Analysis of the Root Causes

1. The rupture of bubbles

(1) Entrapped air bubbles: During circulation by the pump, agitation by the mixer, or high-pressure spraying, UV coatings can vigorously entrain air, forming fine microbubbles that remain suspended in the coating film. As the coating film enters the curing zone, the surface layer cures instantaneously; however, the internal bubbles expand due to heat or increased pressure and, upon escaping outward, rupture the still-soft surface layer, resulting in pinhole-like depressions.

(2) Air dissolution and precipitation: As the temperature rises, the solubility of air dissolved in the paint liquid decreases, leading to its precipitation and the formation of bubbles.

2. Gas Release from the Substrate

(1) Air venting from wood vessels: Wood is a porous material, and its vessels are filled with air. When a wood panel coated with UV paint enters the infrared leveling zone or the UV curing zone, the heat causes the air inside the vessels to expand and force its way outward. If, at this point, the paint film has already developed some degree of sealant properties but has not yet fully cured, these gases will escape through the weakest points in the film, resulting in pinholes. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in wood with deep vessels.

(2) Rapid solvent vaporization: A small amount of diluent added to reduce viscosity can, if it volatilizes too quickly or if the leveling temperature is too high, undergo rapid internal vaporization within the paint film, generating substantial vapor pressure that ruptures the film surface and results in pinholes.

III. Conclusion

Pinholes arise as the instantaneous imprint left when gases trapped during paint film curing rupture the surface layer. Whether these gases originate from air bubbles entrained in the paint, internal volatiles released from wood vessels upon heating, or the vapor pressure generated by the rapid evaporation of thinning agents, they all seek an escape route through the paint film’s surface. When the rate of surface cure fails to synchronize with the timing of gas release, the points where the film is breached are permanently fixed as pinholes. The presence of these minute pores not only reveals deficiencies in the defoaming process but also reflects the degree of compatibility between substrate preparation and curing conditions. A thorough understanding of the pinhole formation mechanism helps identify, in production practice, the mismatch between gas sources and film-forming kinetics, thereby enabling the achievement of a dense, smooth paint film surface.

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Boxing Recommended Products – UV Wood Coatings
Putty primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost-effectiveness.
Sanding primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost-effectiveness.
Apply primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-02	Phosphate ester acrylate	Enhances adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-05	Phosphate ester acrylate	Enhances adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost-effectiveness.
B-535	Polyester acrylate	Excellent adhesion, rapid curing, good flexibility, and yellowing resistance.
B-546	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent flexibility.
White primer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost-effectiveness.
B-529	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, low shrinkage, and excellent resin compatibility.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting
Gloss topcoat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-21C	Active amine photosensitizing promoter	Low color number, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, and enhanced curing rate
B-301	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-302	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
B-601	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost performance.
B-609	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, scratch resistance, and chemical resistance.
B-868	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-910A2	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, yellowing resistance, chemical resistance, and steel-wool resistance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and wear resistance.
Matte topcoat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-21C	Active amine photosensitizing promoter	Low color number, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, and enhanced curing rate
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.
B-333	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and excellent flexibility.
B-572	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
B-650A	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, fast curing, and good wettability.
B-868	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-910A2	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, yellowing resistance, chemical resistance, and steel-wool resistance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and wear resistance.
Bright White Finish
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-301	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-302	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
B-601	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost performance.
B-868	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and wear resistance.
Adherent
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-05	Phosphate ester acrylate	Enhances adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-509B	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, good flexibility, and excellent pigment wetting.
B-531	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, impact resistance, excellent flexibility, and yellowing resistance.
B-535	Polyester acrylate	Excellent adhesion, rapid curing, good flexibility, and yellowing resistance.
B-546	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, fast curing, and excellent flexibility.
B-590	Polyester acrylate	Excellent adhesion, rapid curing, and good pigment wetting.
Filler type
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost-effectiveness.
B-529	Polyester acrylate	Good adhesion, low shrinkage, and excellent resin compatibility.
Color correction
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting
Harden
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-301	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-302	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, high strength, good toughness, and excellent grindability.
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
B-601	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	High hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistance, and excellent cost performance.
B-912	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, and excellent chemical and wear resistance.
Matte
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.
B-329D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low irritation, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant feel.
B-333	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, good wetting properties, and excellent flexibility.
B-650A	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low viscosity, excellent matting effect, fast curing, and good wettability.
Solid-color paint
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-519	Self-curing polyester acrylate	Self-initiated photopolymerization performance
B-530	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, excellent hydrophobicity, thixotropy, and improved ink misting
B-560	Polyester acrylate	Fast curing and excellent pigment wetting
Yellowing resistance
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-431	Cycloaliphatic Specialty Acrylates	Yellowing resistance, excellent wettability, low viscosity, and fast curing
Dip coating
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
Roll coating
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-100	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, excellent chemical resistance, and high fullness.
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-160D	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, yellowing resistance, and excellent adhesion.
B-163	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent pigment wetting, and strong adhesion.
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective
B-522	Polyester acrylate	Low shrinkage, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and high cost-effectiveness.
Solvent-free spraying
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-251	Aromatic Polyurethane Acrylate	Fast curing, excellent flexibility, and good wetting of black ink pigments.
B-520	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, high gloss, excellent wettability, and cost-effective
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
LED-UV
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-21C	Active amine photosensitizing promoter	Low color number, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor, and enhanced curing rate
B-241	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.
B-27	Active amine photosensitizing promoter	Low color number, benzene-free, low odor, antioxidant and anti-polymerization
B-570	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, benzene-free, low odor, suitable for LED UV
B-574	Polyester acrylate	Benzene-free, low odor, and VOC levels meet cigarette pack standards.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
Excimer lamp
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-241	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.
Skin feel
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, contains 20% TPGDA
B-165	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-241	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, excellent skin feel, and yellowing resistance.
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.
B-574C	Polyester acrylate	Low viscosity, low odor, excellent wettability; suitable for LED UV.
B-868	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
B-868H	Organosilicon UV-Curable Resin	Excellent leveling, smooth finish, fast curing, and stain resistance.
Single-item recommendation
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
BM2223/TPGDA	Di(propylene glycol) diacrylate	Good flexibility and low volatility
BM2224/EO-HDDA	Ethoxylated 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate	Good adhesion to plastics, good dilutability, and low volatility.
BM3231/TMPTA	Trimethylolpropane triacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, high gloss, and excellent wear resistance.
BM3235/PET3A	Pentaerythritol triacrylate	Fast curing, high crosslink density, high hardness, and excellent chemical resistance.
BM3380/3EO-TMPTA	Tripropylene Glycol Triacrylate	More flexible and less irritating than TMPTA.
BM6261/DPHA-80	Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.
BM6263/DPHA-90	Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate	High crosslink density, high hardness, chemical and wear resistance, and water resistance.

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Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 5)

Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 3)