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 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.).

Abstract: Solvent-borne coating compositions and methods for forming coated substrates are provided. In one example, a solvent-borne coating composition includes a solvent(s), a colorant(s), a binder including one or more resins, a sag control agent, and a wax dispersion. The sag control agent includes urea crystals that are present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. % based on the weight of the binder. The wax dispersion includes ethylene vinyl acetate-based wax particles present in an amount of from about 3 wt. % to about 8 wt. % based on the weight of the binder. The solvent-borne coating composition has a non-volatile content of from about 11 to about 30 vol. % based on the volume of the solvent-borne coating composition.

Abstract: Solvent-borne coating compositions and methods for forming coated substrates are provided. In one example, a solvent-borne coating composition includes a solvent(s), a colorant(s), a binder including one or more resins, a sag control agent, and a wax dispersion. The sag control agent includes urea crystals that are present in an amount of from about 0.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. % based on the weight of the binder. The wax dispersion includes ethylene vinyl acetate-based wax particles present in an amount of from about 3 wt. % to about 8 wt. % based on the weight of the binder. The solvent-borne coating composition has a non-volatile content of from about 11 to about 30 vol. % based on the volume of the solvent-borne coating composition.

Abstract: A two-part (2 k) isocyanate-free primer composition is provided herein. The primer composition includes a first part comprising a polyester and a melamine formaldehyde resin. The coating composition further includes a second part comprising an unblocked acid catalyst. The primer composition is substantially free of isocyanate. The primer composition is curable 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.).

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating on a vehicle body, comprised of applying primer coating, base coating, and clear coat layers in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step. The primer layer comprises a film-forming binder comprising two acrylic polymers, the first being a caprolactone-modified branched acrylic polymer and the second being a caprolactone-modified linear acrylic polymer; and a crosslinking agent selected from aminoplast resin, blocked polyisocyanates, or mixtures thereof, wherein the composition is, essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both. The resulting multi-layered coating has excellent aesthetic appearance, strike-in resistance, chipping resistance, sag resistance, and film build even when formed in a three wet layered application method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating, by sequentially applying a primer surfacer, a base coat composition, and a clear coat composition on an automotive substrate in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step. The primer surfacer comprises: a film forming binder, a volatile organic liquid carrier, and pigment(s); and the binder contains about: 40 to 95% by weight of a highly branched acrylic polymer having a hydroxyl, carboxyl and/or other crosslinkable functional group monomer content of about 1 to 65%; and 5 to 60% by weight of an aminoplast resin crosslinking agent. The composition is essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-layer coating on a vehicle body, comprised of applying primer coating, base coating, and clear coat layers in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step. The primer layer comprises a film-forming binder (a) a caprolactone-modified linear acrylic polymer; and (b) an aminoplast resin crosslinking agent, wherein the composition is essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both. The resulting multi-layered coating film has excellent aesthetic appearance, strike-in resistance, chipping resistance, sag resistance, and film build even when formed in a three wet layered application method.

Abstract: This invention relates to method for forming a multi-layer coating, comprising sequentially applying a layer of primer coating composition, a layer of base coat composition, and a layer of clear coat composition on an automotive substrate in a wet-on-wet-on-wet manner, and simultaneously curing the applied three layers together in a single baking step. The primer surfacer comprises a film forming binder, a volatile organic liquid carrier, and pigment(s); and the binder contains about (a) 40 to 95% by weight of a caprolactone-modified highly branched acrylic polymer having a hydroxyl and/or carboxyl monomer content, all or part of which has been reacted with caprolactone, of about 1 to 65% by weight and a weight average molecular weight of about 10,000 to 150,000; and (b) 5 to 60% by weight of an aminoplast resin crosslinking agent. The composition is essentially free of crosslinked nonaqueous dispersion resin particles or crosslinked microgel resin particles or both.