Abstract: An aqueous dispersed primer-sealer composition applied to a surface layer of overlay paper or surface mat provides an impregnated surface layer for use in manufacturing hardboard products by hot pressing in a molding operation. The primer sealer provides a finished surface as well as defect-free surface from the molding surface. The primer-sealer can be pigmented and is based on a polymeric binder composition containing melamine resin, carboxyl functional acrylic emulsion copolymer, vinyl-acetate-vinyl versatate copolymer, emulsified fatty acid, and polyvinyl alcohol.