A study has been made of commercial samples of board-surfacing materials, comprising paints, lacquers and impregnated paper foils, to test their potential effectiveness in controlling formaldehyde emission from aminoplast resin-bonded core products. Formaldehyde emission rate monitoring over a three-year period was conducted with a bench-scale apparatus especially designed for research and routine measurements in the Furniture Industry Research Association's laboratory based at Stevenage. Polyurethane and polyester type finishes provided effective sealing once the coatings were dry. By virtue of their own emission of formaldehyde, acid-catalyzed products could not be considered effective barriers for up to at least several weeks of aeration, i.e. exposure to air at room temperature to allow time for curing and loss of excess formaldehyde. Microscopic cracks, developed in one paint over medium density fiberboard, increased emission, and the proven conservation of locked up formaldehyde within sealed boards highlight the need for a critical and cautious approach in selecting products for surfacing boards of high formaldehyde content.