Abstract: An automotive vehicle exterior laminate component includes an outer metal layer having a thickness of from about 100 micrometers to about 400 micrometers. The outer metal layer has a first major side having a Class A surface and a second major side spaced opposite the first major side. The automotive vehicle exterior laminate component also includes a structural layer formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoset composition and disposed adjacent to the second major side. A method of forming the automotive vehicle exterior laminate component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus is provided for coordinating paint-related process steps at a paint-application facility. The paint-related process steps include at least one of: data collecting, calculating, evaluating and reporting volatile organic content of paint and actual and projected paint and solvent usage from a painting process and solvent and volatile organic emission regulation data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus is provided for coordinating paint-related process steps of at least one paint-application facility, said paint-related process steps comprising at least one of data collecting, calculating, evaluating and reporting volatile organic content of paint and actual and projected paint and solvent usage from a painting process and solvent and volatile organic emission regulation data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus and method for coordinating paint-related process steps of at least one paint-related facility. The paint-related process steps exhibit paint-related characteristics. A data acquisition module is provided for acquiring paint characteristic data indicative of the paint-related characteristics. A paint process control data structure is provided for interrelating the acquired paint characteristic data with at least two of the paint-related process steps to produce interrelated paint process control data. A paint process control coordinator is connected to the data acquisition module for storing the acquired paint characteristic data in the paint process control data structure. A data display is connected to the paint process control data structure for remotely receiving and viewing the interrelated paint process control data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented apparatus and method for coordinating paint-related process steps of at least one paint-related facility. The paint-related process steps exhibit paint-related characteristics. A data acquisition module is provided for acquiring paint characteristic data indicative of the paint-related characteristics. A paint process control data structure is provided for interrelating the acquired paint characteristic data with at least two of the paint-related process steps to produce interrelated paint process control data. A paint process control coordinator is connected to the data acquisition module for storing the acquired paint characteristic data in the paint process control data structure. A data display is connected to the paint process control data structure for remotely receiving and viewing the interrelated paint process control data.

Abstract: This invention, therefore, relates to the field of polyurethane coatings for use in automobile basecoat/clearcoat systems. In particular, this invention relates to the discovery that incorporating a long-chain carboxylic acid of at least 50% by weight of the carboxylic acid component used to make polyester resins which are further incorporated into polyurethane resins provides basecoat composition exhibiting low temperature flash characteristics. These low temperature flash characteristics are exhibited even where the basecoat is deposited at 50-90% relative humidity.

Abstract: This invention, therefore, relates to the field of polyurethane coatings for use in automobile basecoat/clearcoat systems. In particular, this invention relates to the discovery that incorporating a long-chain carboxylic acid of at least 50% by weight of the carboxylic acid component used to make polyester resins which are further incorporated into polyurethane resins provides basecoat composition exhibiting low temperature flash characteristics. These low temperature flash characteristics are exhibited even where the basecoat is deposited at 50-90% relative humidity.