Matt SR (Scratch Resistant)
A soft, velvet sheen that hides fingerprints and takes daily knocks in stride. The SR topcoat is engineered for kitchens with kids, keys and pressure cookers. Pairs well with fluted and routed profiles.
PU Finish Guide
Everything you should know before choosing a finish
What a 6-layer Italian PU system actually is, how Matt SR differs from High Gloss, and how PU compares with laminate, acrylic and veneer.
The System
Six layers, oven-dried, inspected
PU (polyurethane) is a sprayed coating system, not a sheet that's glued on. Each Kiwaro surface is built up in six stages in a dust-free booth, and oven-dried between coats:
- Board preparation: HDHMR calibrated and cleaned
- Primer coat: adhesion and sealing
- Sanding: a glass-flat base
- PU base coat: body and build
- Colour coat: your approved shade
- Protective clear coat: scratch and UV shield
Finish Categories
Matt SR or High Gloss
High Gloss PU
A mirror-depth surface that bounces light around smaller rooms. Unlike acrylic sheet gloss, sprayed gloss wraps edges seamlessly: no joint lines, no peeling laminate edge. Wipes clean with a soft cloth.
| Coating systems | Origin | Character |
|---|---|---|
| ICA PU Systems | Italy | Rich colour depth, high-clarity topcoats |
| Teknovace PU Systems | Industrial-grade | High-build durability, consistent large-batch colour |
Honest Comparison
PU vs the alternatives
| Kiwaro PU | Acrylic sheet | Laminate | Veneer + PU polish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edges | Seamless, sprayed as one | Visible edge band | Visible edge band | Seamless |
| Colour choice | 48 curated shades, tintable to 200+ on ICA and Teknovace systems | Limited catalogue | Catalogue only | Wood tones only |
| Repairable | Yes: spot repair & re-spray | No, replace shutter | No, replace shutter | Yes, with skill |
| Yellowing | UV-stabilised, anti-yellowing | Prone on whites | Stable | Depends on polish |
| Moisture | Sealed all faces | Edge ingress risk | Edge ingress risk | Sensitive |
| Feel | Automotive-grade, warm | Plasticky | Flat print | Natural grain |
Caring for a PU finish
It asks very little, but here's how to keep it showroom-fresh for a decade.
- Wipe with a soft, damp microfibre cloth. That's 95% of it
- Mild soap for grease; avoid abrasive powders and scouring pads
- Blot spills when convenient. The surface is sealed, not thirsty
- Keep solvents (acetone, thinner) off the surface