Consumables

Trend toward more natural-looking materials

Wednesday 08. May 2013 - The new FGuard 3D paint system makes furniture surfaces look like real wood

It looks like wood and it feels like wood but, actually, it’s paper. On shelves, tables or cupboards, foil coatings provide effects that at first glance appear to be real. BASF has added to its product range the new FGuard 3D paint system in Europe.
With its pore structures and grain, the newly developed system gives the decorative foil for furniture an appearance resembling real wood. “In addition, the 3D-effect of the finish conveys special haptics,” explained Matthias Schöps, who is responsible for BASF’s foil coatings business. “It allows us to meet the demands of the market, since people increasingly prefer natural materials in their homes.” Without having to use costly real wood, they can use foil coatings to lend a natural wood appearance to doors and furniture.
High standards for coatings
With the FGuard 3D method, the first step involves using a printing system to print a multicolor decorative pattern on preimpregnated paper. The new FGuard 3D pore structure paint is applied in the final printing unit. In the next step, a transparent topcoat is applied to the coated paper on a paintline. “The high drying temperature during the hardening of the topcoat causes the 3D structure to develop,” said Michael Janning, BASF’s head of development and technical service for foil coatings, describing the innovation.
The furniture decoration foils coated with this method have to meet high standards in terms of both appearance and function. For instance, they have to be resistant to spots and mechanical damage. “Apart from providing these protective properties, with a wide color range and different effects, they carry out both a visual and, in turn, emotional task,” Matthias Schöps explained. “And this is exactly what our new product does.”
Foil coatings are clearcoats used to coat paper that is printed with a wood pattern. The end product, referred to as “finish foil”, is used to provide furniture, doors, and floor paneling with decorative surface protection. Coating the foils is easier, quicker and more efficient than coating assembled furniture, for example. That saves time and money.