Abstract: Crosslinked polymer microparticles that have a particle size of about 0.1-5 microns of polymerized monomers of styrene, alkyl methacrylate having 1-12 carbons in the alkyl group, alkyl acrylate having 1-12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and mixtures thereof, about 0.1-5% by weight of a crosslinking monomer of an alkylene glycol dimethacrylate or diacrylate each having 1-8 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and about 0.1-5% by weight of allyl methacrylate or allyl acrylate; said polymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 500,000 to 5,000,000; polymeric chains are grafted onto the polymer microparticles; the microparticles are useful as additives for coating compositions to control rheology and in particular for metallic pigment flake and sag control.

Abstract: Air-drying resins such as acrylate- or methacrylate-acid drying-oil resins and alkyds can be blended with up to 70% by weight of the combined weights of a vinyl oxazoline ester as a reactive diluent. In an organic solvent, the blend produces a suspension or solution which has a lower viscosity than a suspension or solution of resin alone but with the same percentage of solids. When applied to a substrate, the blend dries in air to a good protective and ornamental coating. The oxazoline ester can be combined with up to about twice its weight of certain melamine condensates.

Abstract: A thermosetting coating composition having a binder of a film forming polymer having reactive hydroxyl groups, epoxy groups or methylol groups and a melamine, benzoguanamine or urea crosslinking agent and about 0.1-10% by weight of reactive catalyst which is a solid at 30.degree. C. in which the catalyst has one of the following structures: ##STR1## or mixtures of the above; where R is an alkyl group or a hydroxy alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms; the catalyst is prepared by reacting in a 1:1 molar ratio trimellitic anhydride and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol or an aliphatic diol.

Abstract: Diethyl fumarate can be used in proportions of up to 50% by weight to dilute oxidative-cure coating systems, e.g., alkyds, to permit higher solids, i.e., lower volatile solvents, content and to enhance through-cure of thick films without wrinkling.

Abstract: A high solids coating composition that dries rapidly to a tack-free finish and cures under ambient temperature conditions to a durable finish useful for metals, plastics, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastics; the coating composition is used as a finish for automobiles, trucks, trailers, tractors, appliances and airplanes and also used to refinish automobiles and trucks; the film forming polymer of the coating composition has a backbone of polymerized monomers of an alkyl methacrylate such as methyl methacrylate or styrene, an alkyl acrylate and hydroxyl containing monomers such as a hydroxy alkyl acrylate or a hydroxy alkyl methacrylate and has attached thereto pendant drying oil fatty acid groups to provide the composition with ambient curing characteristics; wherein these drying oil fatty acid groups are attached by a reaction of the carboxyl group of the drying oil fatty acid and pendant hydroxyl group of the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A high solids coating composition that dries rapidly to a tack-free finish and cures under ambient temperature conditions to a durable finish useful for metals, plastics, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastics; the coating composition is used as a finish for automobiles, trucks, trailers, tractors, appliances and airplanes and also used to refinish automobiles and trucks; the film forming polymer of the coating composition has a backbone of polymerized monomers of an alkyl methacrylate such as methyl methacrylate or styrene, an alkyl acrylate and hydroxyl containing monomers such as a hydroxy alkyl acrylate or a hydroxy alkyl methacrylate and has attached thereto pendant drying oil fatty acid groups to provide the composition with ambient curing characteristics; wherein these drying oil fatty acid groups are attached by a reaction of the carboxyl group of the drying oil fatty acid and pendant hydroxyl group of the polymer backbone.