Sheet molding composition formulation includes a thermoset cross-linkable polymeric resin. A moisture reducing polymeric additive includes at least one of polystyrene; poly C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alykylmethacrylate; a copolymer of styrene with at least one of butadiene, acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride; or a combination of polystyrene, polyaklymethacrylate and or a styrene copolymer. Moisture reducing polymeric additive is present within the formulation from between 1 and 20 total weight percent. An article formed from such a sheet molding composition formulation defines an article shape and has a surface that sets the article shape with less than 0.5 total weight percent water after 96 hours exposure and 100.degree. F. 100% humidity. The article shape is amendable to receiving a vapor barrier coating applied to the articles shape surface. A powder prime coating over lies the barrier coating and achieves surface finish results comparable to article shapes formed of steel.