Novel waterborne one-pack and storage stable polymers for coatings are described which form cross-linked films upon drying at ambient temperatures. The coatings are based on proprietary acetoacetoxy-functional polymers which can be conveniently made via multi-stage emulsion polymerization. They are especially useful in high quality furniture applications, where they offer fast drying combined with hardness, early stackability, high film clarity, luster, and superior chemical resistance. Key properties of the coatings are discussed and compared with other water borne furniture coatings. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.