Abstract: The aqueous coating composition, which is particularly adaptable for use as a household floor polish or a temporary protective coating for various articles, contains a non-volatile, solid film former, such as an acrylic copolymer, dispersed in the aqueous phase or base, and a water-soluble, acid-base indicator, such as thymolphthalein, which is colored at a pH above a predetermined level and is colorless at a lower pH. Upon being applied on the surface of a substrate, a substantially colorless film is formed thereon upon the evaporation of the water and the color indicator becomes an integral part of the dried film. Upon the application of an aqueous alkaline cleaning or stripping solution having a pH above that required to effect a color change of the color indicator, (e.g., above about 11.6 when thymolphthalein is used), the film changes to a distinctive color (e.g.

Abstract: The aqueous base polish composition, which is particularly adaptable for use as a household floor polish, contains a non-volatile, solid film former, such as an acrylic copolymer, dispersed in the aqueous phase or base, a water-soluble, acid-base indicator, such as thymolphthalein, which is colored at a pH above a predetermined level and is colorless at a lower pH, in a sufficient amount to impart a distinctive original color to the composition and a sufficient amount of an alkaline material, such as potassium hydroxide, to raise the overall pH of the composition above that predetermined level, e.g., above about 11 or higher. Upon being applied on the surface of flooring, the colored polish composition retains its original color for a finite period of time while in the liquid state, e.g., 30 seconds to 2 minutes, and becomes colorless as the water evaporates during formation of a protective film finish. The color indicator becomes an integral part of the dried clear and colorless film.