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Sheet moulded compound (SMC) is a highly filled, glass fibre reinforced, thermoset material used in trim and body panel automotive parts. When SMC substrates are coated with conventional thermally cured paints, inherent porosity and entrapped volatiles of the substrate result in popping ('paint pops') defects. UV curable primers (UVP) provide an order of magnitude reduction of paint defects in SMC coatings, but typically have poor adhesion. The present study investigates a series of UVPs, showing the effect of resin functionality and isocyanate additive content on the adhesion of the coatings to SMC substrates. The SMC formulation is also considered regarding how variables such as surface chemistry, morphology, surface area and degree of post-mould emissions affect UVP adhesion. The present study reveals the crucial factors involved in achieving adhesion including the importance of low post-mould emissions, high surface areas, glass fibre and other oxygen moieties on the surface, and improved wetting of the surface.