The secret of the polyurethane coating family: what you use at home may be just the "tip of the iceberg"!

2026-01-03 13:35:03

Hello everyone, we are a manufacturer that has been focusing on coating production and construction for many years. After working for so many years, we have discovered an interesting phenomenon: when many friends, and even some engineering procurement partners, mention "polyurethane coating", the first thing that pops into their minds is "industrial paint" or "wear-resistant flooring".

That's true, but it's so much more than that! From the wooden doors and walls of your home, to the cars speeding on the road, the majestic bridges, to the plastic track you use for exercise, there may be polyurethane coatings behind them. It is like a low-key "paint family" with many members and each has its own unique skills.

Today, we will put aside the obscure technical parameters and use vernacular to take you through the main members of polyurethane coatings to see what characteristics they have and where they are most suitable for use. Choose the right paint and get twice the result with half the effort!

Chapter 1: "Two-component" polyurethane: the powerful force of "strong alliance"You can think of it as "AB glue" or "Chinese medicine prescription" that needs to be prepared on site. Component A (primary paint) and component B (curing agent) are stored separately and mixed in precise proportions when used. Once mixed, a chemical reaction occurs to form a high-performance paint film.

Core features: High performance ceiling, specially built! Because the reaction forms a dense network structure, it usually has high hardness, excellent wear resistance, strong resistance to chemical corrosion (such as engine oil, acid and alkali), and excellent outdoor weather resistance (anti-ultraviolet, yellowing resistance).

Family star members:Acrylic polyurethane: the “champion” for outdoor weather resistance.It is often used in construction machinery, steel structure buildings, port equipment and other places exposed to wind, sun and rain for a long time. It has good gloss and color retention.

Epoxy polyurethane: "Expert" in anti-corrosion and anti-rust. On the basis of the excellent adhesion and anti-rust properties of epoxy resin, the surface hardness and weather resistance are improved. It is often used in equipment and pipelines that require anti-corrosion and a certain degree of decoration.

Polyester polyurethane: "top student" in comprehensive performance. It has a good balance of flexibility, wear resistance, and temperature resistance. It is commonly used in the exterior coating of high-end trains and buses, as well as metal components that need to be bent.

One sentence summary: For industrial protection and high-end decoration with high performance requirements and harsh environment, you are right to look for "two-component".

It can be regarded as the "heavy armor" in coatings.Chapter 2: "Single-component" polyurethane: the convenience of "ready to use out of the can"

As the name suggests, it comes in a single can, requires no mixing, and is extremely easy to apply. It mainly cures by absorbing moisture in the air or evaporating solvents.

Core features: Convenient construction, efficiency is king! It eliminates the steps of proportioning and aging, and is especially suitable for rapid construction, small area repairs or DIY scenarios. Of course, the performance is usually slightly weaker than the same type of two-component paint. For example, the absolute hardness and chemical resistance may not be as strong, but it is enough to cope with many daily scenes.

Common uses: Wood paint: Many bright or soft surfaces of solid wood furniture, floors, and cabinets at home may be the result of One-component polyurethane paint, which can make the wood texture more beautiful, while being waterproof and stain-proof.

Anti-corrosion primer/intermediate paint: As a convenient anti-rust coating in some less extreme corrosive environments.

Elastic sealant: Many of the elastic sealing materials at the gaps between doors and windows and at the joints of glass curtain walls are also made of polyurethane.

In one sentence: In situations where construction efficiency is pursued and conventional protection and decoration requirements are met, "single-component" is a good choice that saves worry and effort.Chapter 3: "Water-based Polyurethane Coating: "green and environmentally friendly" futuristic

This is the fastest growing direction in recent years. Using water as the main dispersion medium greatly reduces the VOC (volatile organic compounds) content in traditional oil-based paints. It has little odor during construction and is safer and more environmentally friendly.

Core features: Environmentally friendly, good breathability. It combines the advantages of traditional polyurethane such as wear resistance and flexibility, while being more green. Although there may be a gap with top oil-based products in some extreme properties (such as resistance to high-concentration chemicals), it is enough to cover most civil and industrial fields.

Wide range of application scenarios:Home decoration wall: water-based polyurethane wall paint, the paint film is strong and resistant to scrubbing, has strong anti-fouling ability, and some are also mildew-proof, making it a high-quality choice for home decoration.

Plastic, leather coating: It may be the film that brings a comfortable feel to your phone cases, bags, and car interiors.

Public facilities: schools, hospitals, shopping malls and other places with high requirements on environmental protection and safety, water-based systems are the first choice.

One sentence summary: In response to environmental protection trends and attention to construction health and residential safety, water-based polyurethane is an increasingly mainstream and responsible choice.Chapter 4: Other featured members: Professionals with “unique skills”

Powder polyurethane coating: 100% solids, solvent-free. It is a solid powder that is adsorbed on the workpiece through electrostatic spraying, and then baked and leveled at high temperature to solidify.

It has almost no volatilization, is extremely environmentally friendly, has a thick coating and excellent physical properties. It is widely used in home appliances (such as air conditioner outdoor units, washing machine panels), outdoor metal furniture, auto parts, etc.

Solvent-free polyurethane coating: liquid but with extremely low VOC content. Usually used in areas where a seamless thick coating needs to be formed, such as:

Waterproof areas: Large roofs, pools, and tunnels can be scraped and coated into a layer of tough "rubber leather" that is watertight.

Wear-resistant floors: Ultra-high-strength logistics warehouse and parking lot floors that can withstand long-term crushing by forklifts and heavy-duty vehicles.

In one sentence: When faced with extreme environmental protection requirements, ultra-thick coatings or special functional requirements, these featured products are professional solutions.