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Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 6)

Release time:

2026-03-13 23:58

Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 6)

The essence of clear coating lies in providing a protective layer for wood products while fully showcasing the wood’s natural grain and color. However, in the practical application of UV wood coatings, a defect known as “whitening” often undermines this ideal outcome. After curing, the coating film loses its intended clarity and transparency, developing a milky-white, hazy opacity that resembles a delicate mist or sheer veil. Mild whitening slightly blurs the wood grain, whereas severe whitening renders the film completely opaque, entirely obscuring the grain and giving the surface the appearance of frosted glass. Under illumination, whitened areas exhibit diffuse reflection, forfeiting the depth and luster characteristic of a well-cured coating; yet the surface remains smooth to the touch, creating a stark contrast between visual and tactile sensations. Whitening is often accompanied by reduced film hardness, significantly compromising protective performance, and is the result of complex interactions among multiple factors, including moisture interference, residual solvents, and the precipitation of film-forming components.

I. Description of the Phenomenon

After curing, the clear varnish film loses its intended clarity and transparency, developing a milky-white, hazy opacity. This cloudiness is evenly distributed throughout the entire film, giving it the appearance of being veiled in a thin mist or sheer white gauze. Mild whitening manifests as a slight reduction in film transparency and a subtle blurring of the wood grain; severe whitening, however, renders the film completely opaque, completely obscuring the wood grain and resulting in a surface that resembles frosted glass. Under illumination, the whitened areas exhibit diffuse reflection, thereby losing the deep richness and luster characteristic of a properly cured varnish film. To the touch, the film surface remains smooth, creating a striking contrast between the visual haziness and the tactile smoothness. Whitening is often accompanied by a decrease in film hardness, such that even a light scratch with a fingernail may leave a mark.

II. In-depth Analysis of the Root Causes

1. Influence of Moisture

(1) Excessive wood moisture content: When wood contains a large amount of free water, after painting—particularly during the curing and heating process—water vapor escapes outward. However, some of the vapor that does not have time to escape becomes trapped within the rapidly forming paint film. Because water and the paint film have different refractive indices, these tiny water droplets create countless refractive interfaces inside the film, causing light to undergo diffuse reflection and resulting in a milky-white, hazy appearance on the macroscopic scale.

(2) Excessive ambient humidity: In high-humidity environments, the wet film absorbs substantial amounts of moisture from the air during the leveling process. This absorbed moisture can emulsify with or become miscible in the paint formulation, leading to whitening upon curing.

2. Incomplete solvent evaporation

During the application of thick coatings, the solvents in the top layer evaporate rapidly, increasing the resin concentration and viscosity. Meanwhile, the solvents in the underlying layers are trapped and cannot escape smoothly. These residual solvents form tiny voids within the paint film; when the voids reach a certain size, they scatter light, resulting in haze. This whitening is often accompanied by a soft, undercured paint film with insufficient hardness.

3. Analysis results

In certain cases, specific additives or fillers in UV coatings may undergo flocculation or precipitation under application conditions, resulting in an uneven microscale particle distribution and consequently reduced transparency.

III. Conclusion

The essence of whitening lies in the diffuse reflection of light caused by refractive interfaces within the paint film, a phenomenon rooted in the film’s microstructural non-uniformity. When wood moisture content is excessively high or ambient humidity is too great, water vapor becomes trapped within the rapidly curing paint layer, forming countless microscopic water droplets. The refractive-index contrast between these droplets and the paint itself gives rise to a milky-white, hazy turbidity. Incomplete solvent evaporation can also lead to the formation of minute voids within the paint film, which scatter light and reduce transparency. Furthermore, flocculation and precipitation of additives or fillers in the coating can disrupt the film’s microscopic homogeneity. Together, these factors interfere with the straight-line transmission of light at various levels, causing what was once a clear paint film to take on a white haze and obscuring the wood’s natural beauty beneath the resulting cloudiness.

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Bossin 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-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 7)

Common Defects in UV Wood Coatings (Part 5)