Abstract: The invention relates to wood coating composition selected to accentuate the color and the natural grain structure of the underlying surface of a wood article, such as, a furniture or carving. The surface of the article is coated with a waterborne system that includes a copolymer copolymerized from at least one first copolymerizable monomer and at least one second copolymerizable monomer containing a conjugate base of a strong acid. The coating enhances the reddish-yellow hues and suppress the bluish hues and grays. Such a coating is aesthetically pleasing and it enhances the natural beauty of high quality wood, such as, rose, cherry, teak, mahogany. The present method can be utilized by furniture manufacturers who plan to replace solvent borne coating compositions, such as nitrocellulose-based lacquers, with waterborne coating compositions.

Abstract: Radiation-curable latex compositions having a secondary curing mechanism are disclosed. In these compositions, an anionically stabilized, water-borne dispersion of one or more radiation-curable resins is combined with a low molecular weight compound having at least two reactive functional groups, wherein one reactive functional group comprises an epoxy and the other reactive functional group comprises either an epoxy or a functionality capable of self-condensation after film formation. Also disclosed is a method for providing a cross-linked protective coating on a substrate, wherein a coating of the composition of the present invention is applied to the substrate, the coated substrate is exposed to actinic radiation to effect curing, and then the unexposed or underexposed portions of the coated substrate are allowed to cure at room temperature or greater.