The photopolymerization of wood coatings under UV and visible light in industrial type conditions has been investigated. The inhibiting effect of the phenolic compounds found in wood extractives, especially quercetin, on the final properties of the coating (hardness, gel content) as well as the polymerization kinetics (rates, final conversion) has been discussed. Model clear-coating formulations based on an acrylate oligomer, a reactive diluent and a bisacylphosphine oxide as photo-initiator - have been used. This article focuses on the influence of the nature of the acrylate oligomer (polyester, epoxy, polyurethane), the type of phenolic derivative (POHs) and the irradiation conditions (UV conveyor, Xe lamp). It appears that lead to through the strong inner-filter effect in the presence of quercetin is responsible for the loss of all the observed properties. In order to mimic what happens at the wood-coating interface, the role of the diffusion of the phenolic derivatives have been also investigated and discussed. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.