Paint, powder & polymer coatings · finish comparison
UV-Cured Coating vs Wet Painting
UV-Cured Coating (coatings for plastics) and Wet Painting (paint, powder & polymer coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; wet paint resists corrosion better.
UV-Cured Coating
Coatings for plastics · $$ · instant quote
UV-cured coating is a clear or pigmented liquid film polymerized rapidly by ultraviolet light.
Wet Painting
Paint, powder & polymer coatings · $$ · instant quote
Wet painting atomizes a liquid resin, pigment, and solvent or water system onto prepared metal or plastic.
When to choose which
Choose UV coating
Choose UV coating when rapid cure and a clear high-gloss plastic topcoat are required.
- Typical plastic topcoat is 10–30 µm
- Cures in seconds under the qualified UV dose
- Can improve scratch and stain resistance
Choose Wet paint
Choose Wet paint when opaque color matching is the primary requirement.
- Matches RAL, Pantone, or customer master colors
- Covers metals, molded plastics, and printed polymers with suitable primer
- Multi-layer systems can separate adhesion, color, and UV-protection functions
What the numbers say
- Wet paint resists corrosion better.
- Wet paint is the lower-cost option ($$).
- UV coating is the thinner coating (10–30 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | UV coating | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 25 Low | 59 Good |
| Surface hardness / wear | — — | 10 Minimal |
| Cosmetic quality | 90 Excellent | 90 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 20 Low | 15 Low |
| Cost | 35 $$ | 30 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | UV coating | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 10–30 µm | 20–80 µm |
| Salt-spray test duration | — | 96–250 h |
| Max service temperature | — | 120 °C |
| Electrical | Insulating | Insulating |
| Colours | clear, custom tint, custom color | RAL colors, Pantone colors, custom color, clear |
| Relative cost | Standard ($$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 2–5 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | UV coating | Wet paint |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Yes | Yes |
| MJF | Yes | Limited |
| Polymer | Yes | With care |
| SLS | Yes | Limited |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Brass | With care | With care |
| Composite | With care | With care |
| Copper Alloy | With care | With care |
| DMLS / SLM | Limited | With care |
| FDM | With care | Limited |
| Magnesium Alloy | With care | With care |
| SLA | With care | Limited |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Zinc Alloy | With care | With care |
UV coating vs Wet paint — frequently asked
What is the difference between UV coating and Wet paint?
UV-Cured Coating (coatings for plastics) and Wet Painting (paint, powder & polymer coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; wet paint resists corrosion better. Wet paint is the lower-cost option ($$). UV coating is the thinner coating (10–30 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use UV coating instead of Wet paint?
Choose UV coating when rapid cure and a clear high-gloss plastic topcoat are required. Conversely: choose Wet paint when opaque color matching is the primary requirement.
Is UV coating or Wet paint cheaper?
Wet paint is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$ for UV coating) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.