Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying a modified coating image are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of displaying a coating includes a person entering a starting coating into a computer with an input device, where the computer includes the input device, a memory, a processor, and an output device. The computer provides a starting color additive formulation for the starting coating, where the starting color additive formulation includes a starting color additive and a starting color additive quantity. The person enters a modified color additive formulation into the computer, where the modified color additive formulation is different than the starting color additive formulation. The computer generates a modified coating image based on the modified color additive formulation, and displays the modified coating image on the output device.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically producing product mix and application information include a display for depicting a plurality of indicators arranged on a chart. A sensor is used for sensing one of the indicators positioned within the chart. A processor-based system retrieves from a database the mix and application information based upon the sensed indicator. The retrieved mix and application information is provided for mixing paint components.

Abstract: Coating compositions for application to a substrate utilizing an applicator are provided. An exemplary coating composition provided for application to a substrate utilizing an applicator with an application efficiency greater than 80% has a loss of volatiles after application through the applicator of less than about 1 weight percent based on a total weight of the coating composition. The coating composition includes a radiation-polymerizable binder; wherein the coating composition has a pre-application viscosity at a shear rate of 1000 s?1 of less than about 100 centipoise (cP); and wherein the coating composition has a post-radiation-exposure viscosity at a shear rate of 0.1 s?1 of from about 500 cP to about 150,000 cP.

Abstract: Cathodic electrocoating composition with improved edge protection and coating appearance are provided. An exemplary cathodic electrocoating composition includes an aqueous carrier, a film forming binder dispersed in the carrier and including an epoxy-amine adduct and a blocked polyisocyanate crosslinking agent; a pigment paste; a water-soluble cellulose ether; and a cationic microgel dispersion which is prepared by a process comprising dispersing in aqueous medium a mixture of a cationic polyepoxide-amine reaction product which contains amine groups selected from the group consisting of primary amine groups, secondary amine groups, and mixtures thereof and a polyepoxide crosslinking agent and heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to crosslink the mixture to form the cationic microgel dispersion. The water-soluble cellulose ether may be hydroxyethyl cellulose.

Abstract: A coating composition for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator. The coating composition includes a carrier, a binder, a corrosion inhibiting pigment. The coating composition has an Ohnesorge number (Oh) of from about 0.01 to about 12.6. The coating composition has a Reynolds number (Re) of from about 0.02 to about 6,200. The coating composition has a Deborah number (De) of from greater than 0 to about 1730.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method of matching color and appearance of coatings containing at least one effect pigment. The method involves: obtaining, for a coating sample, sample color image data having pixel-specific color model properties; generating a characterizing histogram for the sample color image data, wherein the characterizing histogram represents an appearance feature descriptor of the coating sample; creating a sample histogram vector from the characterizing histogram; retrieving a specimen histogram vector for a candidate coating specimen; and calculating a cosine similarity value from the sample histogram vector and the specimen histogram vector, wherein the cosine similarity value indicates how well the candidate coating specimen matches the coating sample to be matched.

Abstract: Disclosed here is a method of matching color and appearance of coatings containing at least one effect pigment. The method involves: obtaining, for a coating sample to be matched, sample color image data having pixel-specific color model properties; creating local binary patterns based on the pixel-specific color model properties; generating a binary pattern histogram for the local binary patterns, wherein the binary pattern histogram arranges the local binary patterns into N distinct bins to obtain N bin counts, and wherein the binary pattern histogram represents an appearance feature descriptor of the coating sample to be matched; and utilizing the binary pattern histogram for comparison against a previously generated binary pattern histogram that serves as an appearance feature descriptor of a candidate coating specimen.

Abstract: Methods and systems for matching color and/or appearance of a surface of an object are provided. In one example, method includes determining a gloss of the surface of the object at one or more angles. The gloss is compared to a minimum gloss threshold to determine a condition of the surface of the object. If the gloss is at or exceeds the minimum gloss threshold, the surface is properly conditioned. If the gloss is less than the minimum gloss threshold, the surface is improperly conditioned. The color and/or appearance of the surface of the object is characterized if the surface is properly conditioned.

Abstract: A system and method include receiving target image data associated with a target coating. A feature extraction analysis process is applied to the target image data to determine a target image feature. The feature extraction analysis process includes dividing the target image into sub-images which contains a plurality of target pixels. A machine learning model identifies one or more types of flakes present in the target coating using target pixel features.

Abstract: A polyaspartate composition comprising an asymmetric polyaspartate resin is disclosed. The asymmetric polyaspartate resin is the reaction product of an asymmetric aspartate composition and an isocyanate chain extender. The asymmetric aspartate composition is a reaction product of a multi-functional acrylate component, at least one dialkyl butenedioate, and a multi-functional primary amino compound. A multi-resin form of the polyaspartate composition is also disclosed. The multi-resin polyaspartate composition includes at least two different variants of the asymmetric polyaspartate resin. A method of preparing the polyaspartate composition is also disclosed, along with a coating composition including the polyaspartate composition, a method of preparing a coated article therewith, and coated articles so prepared.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically producing product mix and application information include a display for depicting a plurality of indicators arranged on a chart. A sensor is used for sensing one of the indicators positioned within the chart. A processor-based system retrieves from a database the mix and application information based upon the sensed indicator. The retrieved mix and application information is provided for mixing paint components.

Abstract: Methods and coating compositions for application to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator are provided. An exemplary method includes providing the coating composition to the high transfer efficiency applicator; applying the coating composition onto the substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator to form an applied layer, wherein a loss of volatiles after application through the high transfer efficiency applicator is less than about 1 weight percent based on a total weight of the coating composition; performing a partial polymerization via radiation of the applied layer; and after performing the partial polymerization of the applied layer, thermally curing and drying the applied layer. An exemplary coating composition has a pre-application viscosity, at a shear rate of 1000 s?1, of less than about 100 centipoise (cP), and a post-radiation-exposure viscosity at a shear rate of 0.1 s?1 of from about 500 cP to about 150,000 cP.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method of applying a first coating composition and a second coating composition to a substrate. The method includes providing the substrate defining a first target area and a second target area which define a gap there between of less than about 2 mm; applying the first coating composition via a first high transfer efficiency applicator to the first target area at a wet film thickness of from about 5 to about 150 microns; and applying the second coating composition via a second high transfer efficiency applicator to the second target area at a wet film thickness of from about 5 to about 150 microns to form a continuous layer of a combination of the first and second coating compositions that extends across the gap and also extends across at least an additional portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A system and method include receiving target image data associated with a target coating. A feature extraction analysis process is applied to the target image data to determine a target image feature. The feature extraction analysis process includes dividing the target image into sub-images which contains a plurality of target pixels. A machine learning model identifies one or more types of flakes present in the target coating using target pixel features.

Abstract: Aqueous cathodic electrocoat compositions with improved edge protection and methods for preparing such electrocoat compositions are described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, an electrocoat composition includes water; a crosslinkable resin comprising a binder of an epoxy-amine adduct and a crosslinking agent; a neutralizing agent for neutralizing the epoxy amine adduct, wherein the neutralizing agent has a pKa value of greater than 0; and a pigment paste. The pigment paste may comprise silica, barium sulfate or silica and barium sulfate.

Abstract: Coating compositions, methods of producing a cured coating, and articles coated with a cured coating are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a coating composition includes a crosslinking agent, an acrylic resin, a catalyst, and a catalyst blocker that blocks the catalyst. The crosslinking agent includes an alkylated melamine, and the acrylic resin has a hydroxyl value of from about 5 to about 110 milligrams potassium hydroxide per gram of acrylic resin. The catalyst includes a sulfonic acid, and the catalyst blocker includes an amine with a boiling point of about 300 degrees Celsius or higher.

Abstract: A system for applying a coating composition is provided herein. The system includes a first high transfer efficiency applicator defining a first nozzle orifice and a second high transfer efficiency applicator defining a second nozzle orifice. The system further includes a reservoir. The system further includes a substrate defining a first target area and a second target area. The first high transfer efficiency applicator and the second high transfer efficiency applicator are configured to receive the coating composition from the reservoir and configured to expel the coating composition through the first nozzle orifice to the first target area of the substrate and to expel the coating composition through the second nozzle orifice to the second target area of the substrate.

Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring color of a target coating are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a color measurement device includes a housing configured for placement on a target coating. A source connected to the housing directs a beam of electromagnetic radiation towards the target coating at an entrance angle. A spherical coordinate system is used, where the entrance angle is a polar angle measured from a zenith that is normal to the target coating surface. First and second detectors are connected to the housing at a first and second polar angle, respectively, to measure the electromagnetic radiation reflected by a target population of flakes within the target coating, where all the flakes in the target population of flakes have the same angled flake normal polar angle. The first polar angle is different than the second polar angle.

Abstract: A system for applying a first coating composition and a second coating composition is provided herein. The system includes an atomizing applicator and a high transfer efficiency applicator defining a nozzle orifice. The system further includes a substrate assembly comprising a metal-containing substrate and a plastic-containing substrate. The metal-containing substrate is coupled to the plastic-containing substrate. The atomizing applicator is configured to apply the first coating composition to the metal-containing substrate. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the second coating composition through the second nozzle orifice to the plastic-containing substrate.

Abstract: A method for providing a primer coating on an automotive body component is provided. The method includes mixing a first part comprising polyester and melamine with a second part comprising an unblocked acid catalyst to form a mixed composition; applying the mixed composition to the automotive body component; and curing the mixed composition on the automotive body component at a temperature of less than about 120° C. (250° F.), such as from about 87° C. (190° F.) to about 110° C. (230° F.).