Abstract: A self-leveling finishing composition capable of providing chemically resistant low profile coatings is described. The finishing composition comprises thermoplastic resin solids and thermosetting resin solids in a weight ratio of about 0.5:1 to about 11:1 and a solvent composition comprising a solvent capable of dissolving the thermoplastic resin solids component and a solvent miscible co-solvent capable of dissolving the thermosetting resin solids. The finishing composition is applied and dried to a dry-to-touch surface which is thereafter subjected to conditions capable of initiating polymerization of the component thermosetting resin solids. The finishing composition can be used as a substitute for more expensive or more labor intensive coating compositions in existing surface finishing protocols without compromise of surface quality and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A shoe-stiffening material useful as a stock material to stiffen selected parts of a shoe, which material comprises: a flexible fabric material saturated with a latex composition comprising a natural or synthetic elastomeric polymer, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, and a cross-linking system comprising a peroxide agent, a vinyl polymeric activator and a metal oxide catalyst, which system is adapted to effect cross-linking of the polymer at a temperature and in a time period employed in the shoe-manufacturing process, the sheet material optionally coated on one or both sides with an adhesive thermoplastic polymer, whereby the flexible sheet material may be employed between an outer leather and an inner shoe liner, and forms a bonded, stiff stock material as a box toe stiffener or shoe counter.