A panel assembly, and method of making it, that includes a substrate and a coating proximate at least one edge of the substrate for defining a coated edge portion, the coating including one or more film forming resins having at least one functional group capable of polymerization; an initiator for causing the formation of free radicals or cations; and one or more compounds, which are reactive with the film forming resin and which also contain at least one acidic moiety. A plastic is bonded onto the coated edge portion of the substrate.