Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an improved method for preparing acrylic copolymer resins is provided in which the polymerization solvent includes an internal olefin. The monomers comprise hydroxy-substituted alkyl (meth)acrylates, and non-hydroxy substituted alkyl (meth)acrylates, and the process provides an improved method for forming low molecular weight acrylic resins useful as components in high solids acrylic coatings suitable for electrostatic spraying. The polymerization solvent can remain in the resin to become the solvent employed in the higher solids coating containing the thus-formed acrylic resins and provides surprisingly improved electrical resistivity and color decreased over previously used polymerization solvents, and has good compatibility with the acrylic monomer/resin system.