Abstract: A method for decreasing the drying time of a wet coating by admixing said wet coating and at least one transient colorant in an amount effective to decrease the drying time, applying the admixture to a substrate, and drying the coating, is provided. The transient colorant may be, for example, a pH-sensitive colorant or a photobleaching colorant.

Abstract: As a modifier for carpet shampoos and the like, an aqueous composition containing a polymer component comprising an aqueous dispersion of an acrylic polymer, polyvalent metal ions, ammonia or a volatile amine to solubilize the copolymer, and optionally CO.sub.3 .dbd., HCO.sub.3.sup.-- or an anion of an amino acid. The acrylic polymer is a low molecular weight copolymer of 20-60 parts butyl acrylate, 0-25 parts styrene, 0-15 parts methyl methacrylate, and 40-60 parts of at least one of methacrylic acid, acrylic acid, and itaconic acid. Preferably the polymer contains at least about 5 parts of styrene, the styrene:butyl acrylate ratio being no more than 1:1. The pka of the polymer component is less than about 6.7 and the number average molecular weight of the polymer is about 2500-100,000. The viscosity in centipoises at 25% solids of polymer in water at 35.degree. C. and containing at least two equivalents of ammonium cation and at least 0.

Abstract: Acrylic polymer solutions having superior properties when used as hair setting or holding resins are disclosed. Specific polymers disclosed are derived from (1) alkyl acrylates with 2-8 carbon alkyl groups, (2) methyl methacrylate, (3) hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and (4) methacrylic acid in proportions yielding a film forming resin readily soluble in shampoo, with a Tg between about 40.degree. C. and 80.degree. C., a molecular weight between about 25,000 and 250,000 and not more than 50 ppm of unreacted alkyl acrylate monomer.