Abstract: A coating composition is used to form a clearcoat layer of a film system including a basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer. The coating composition includes a carbamate functional polymer, a cross-linking agent reactive with the carbamate functional polymer, and an acid functional polymer substantially non-reactive with the carbamate functional polymer and the cross-linking agent. The acid functional polymer has an acid value of at least 50 mg KOH/g and contributes to an increased resistance to acid etch of the clearcoat layer. The acid functional polymer also contributes to an increased intercoat adhesion of the basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer thereby decreasing a possibility of separation/delamination of the basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer.

Abstract: A curable coating composition includes a plasticizing component. The plasticizing component includes an isocyanurate core and at least one low surface tension group pending from the isocyanurate core. The low surface tension group may be a) a fatty chain includes at least 6 carbon atoms, b) a silicon-containing group having at least 1 silicon atom, c) a fluorocarbon, and combinations thereof. The low surface tension group may have cross-linkable functional groups pending therefrom. In addition to the plasticizing component, the curable coating composition further includes a resin component and a crosslinking agent that is reactive with the resin component. The curable coating composition including the plasticizing component is capable of forming a cured film that has resistance to both cracking and etching that, to date, has not been achieved with known plasticizing components.

Abstract: A technique of treating an automotive coating to modify surface-specific physical properties thereof while retaining bulk physical properties of the automotive coating includes the step of generating a plasma discharge in a plasma generating assembly. The automotive coating is treated with the plasma discharge. The automotive coating is completely cured prior to treatment with the plasma discharge. To treat the automotive coating, either 1) a precursor material is introduced into the plasma discharge to form a thin film on the automotive coating, or 2) the plasma discharge is free of a precursor material and weak bonds are destroyed on or near the surface of the automotive coating.

Abstract: A compound in which n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; R1, R2, R7, and R8 are each independently alkyl group, including cycloalkyl, an alkylaryl group, or an aryl group, optionally with one or more heteroatoms, with the proviso that R1 and R2 can together form a cycloalkylene group and, independently, R7 and R8 can together form a cycloalkylene group; Y is an oxygen free radical, a sulfur free radical, OR9 or SR9; R3, R4, R5, R6, and R9 are each independently H or an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, or an alkylaryl group, optionally with one or more heteroatoms; and compositions, such as basecoat and clearcoat coating compositions, containing such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a test method for simulating outdoor exposure conditions for testing a coated substrate to evaluate environmental etching of paint caused by acid rain. The test method requires that the test substrate have an acid solution having a pH of less than 6.0 applied thereto by spray or in atomized droplets. The substrate is held in a substantially horizontal position of less than 15° to the horizontal and exposed to heat of above a black panel temperature of 30° C. and light during testing. The light source must emit light in the spectral distribution of at least visible and ultraviolet light, including the spectral distribution of sunlight. Following exposure to testing the substrate is evaluated for environmental etch.

Abstract: A curable coating composition includes a plasticizing component. The plasticizing component includes an isocyanurate core and at least one low surface tension group pending from the isocyanurate core. The low surface tension group may be a) a fatty chain includes at least 6 carbon atoms, b) a silicon-containing group having at least 1 silicon atom, c) a fluorocarbon, and combinations thereof. The low surface tension group may have cross-linkable functional groups pending therefrom. In addition to the plasticizing component, the curable coating composition further includes a resin component and a crosslinking agent that is reactive with the resin component. The curable coating composition including the plasticizing component is capable of forming a cured film that has resistance to both cracking and etching that, to date, has not been achieved with known plasticizing components.

Abstract: A coating composition is used to form a clearcoat layer of a film system including a basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer. The coating composition includes a carbamate functional polymer, a cross-linking agent reactive with the carbamate functional polymer, and an acid functional polymer substantially non-reactive with the carbamate functional polymer and the cross-linking agent. The acid functional polymer has an acid value of at least 50 mg KOH/g and contributes to an increased resistance to acid etch of the clearcoat layer. The acid functional polymer also contributes to an increased intercoat adhesion of the basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer thereby decreasing a possibility of separation/delamination of the basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer.

Abstract: Including a triazine UV light absorber having a silane group in a coating improves scratch and mar resistance after weathering.

Abstract: A clearcoat composition and method reduce the ability of rain to bead on a film of the clearcoat. The clearcoat includes a resin, a cross-linking agent reactive with the resin, and a water-soluble surfactant. Upon exposure of the film to the rain, the surfactant reduces the ability of the rain to bead on the film and certain properties, such as resistance to etch from acid rain, are improved.

Abstract: A clearcoat composition and method reduce the ability of rain to bead on a film of the clearcoat. The clearcoat includes a resin, a cross-linking agent reactive with the resin, and a water-soluble surfactant. Upon exposure of the film to the rain, the surfactant reduces the ability of the rain to bead on the film and certain properties, such as resistance to etch from acid rain, are improved.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of obtaining improvements in the appearance of articles having both vertically and horizontally orientated surfaces and a coating composition for use in said method. The coating composition of the invention has a film-forming component (a) and a rheology control agent (b) having substantially colorless, substantially inorganic microparticles (i) and a compound (ii) comprising the reaction product of an amine and an isocyanate. A particularly preferred method of the invention requires applying the coating composition of the invention to an article having at least one horizontally orientated surface and at least one vertically orientated surface so as to provide a coated horizontally orientated surface and a coated vertically orientated surface, wherein the coated vertically orientated surface has improved sag resistance, most preferably having a sag resistance of at least 1.2 mils.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of obtaining improvements in the appearance of articles having both vertically and horizontally orientated surfaces and a coating composition for use in said method. The coating composition of the invention has a film-forming component (a) and a rheology control agent (b) having substantially colorless, substantially inorganic microparticles (i) and a compound (ii) comprising the reaction product of an amine and an isocyanate. A particularly preferred method of the invention requires applying the coating composition of the invention to an article having at least one horizontally orientated surface and at least one vertically orientated surface so as to provide a coated horizontally orientated surface and a coated vertically orientated surface, wherein the coated vertically orientated surface has improved sag resistance, most preferably having a sag resistance of at least 1.2 mils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable coating composition that includes a film-forming polymer, a polymeric additive having at least one bound surface protecting group, and a crosslinker that is reactive with the film-forming polymer. The polymeric additive is substantially free of groups reactive with the crosslinker and has comonomer units with aryl groups, alkyl groups having, on average, four or more carbon atoms, or combinations of the aryl and alkyl groups. When the coating composition is cured to form a cured coating layer, the concentration of the polymeric additive in the upper about 50% of the cured coating layer thickness is at least about 10% higher than the concentration of the polymeric additive in the rest of the cured coating layer.

Abstract: A durability enhancing agent comprising the reaction product of an acrylic oligomer or acrylic polymer and an ultraviolet light absorbing compound, a hindered amine light stabilizer or mixture thereof, said durability enhancing agent further comprising more than one carbamate functional group, or group convertible to a carbamate group, and optionally, including other reactive functionality capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction. Also included is a curable coating composition comprising the durability enhancing agent, a method for obtaining a coated substrate and the coated article obtained thereby.

Abstract: A durability enhancing agent which is an ultraviolet light absorbing compound or hindered amine light stabilizer covalently bonded to a monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric component. The durability enhancing agent includes more than one carbamate functional group, group convertible to a carbamate group, or group that is crosslinked via a carbamate group. The durability enhancing agent may also have other reactive functionality thereon. Also included is a coating composition including the durability enhancing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable coating composition that includes at least three components. The coating composition includes a component (a) that includes one or both of a compound (a)(1) having at least one carbamate group or terminal urea group according to the invention and having at least two linking groups that are urethane or urea or a compound (a)(2) having at least two groups selected from carbamate groups, terminal urea groups, or combinations of the two and at least four urethane or urea linking groups. The second component (b) of the coating composition includes an acrylic polymer comprising active hydrogen-containing functional groups reactive with the third component(c). Component (c) of the coating composition is a curing agent that is reactive with the first two components. Preparation of coated articles using the compositions of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A durability enhancing agent comprising the reaction product of an acrylic oligomer or acrylic polymer and an ultraviolet light absorbing compound, a hindered amine light stabilizer or mixture thereof, said durability enhancing agent further comprising more than one carbamate functional group, or group convertible to a carbamate group, and optionally, including other reactive functionality capable of undergoing a crosslinking reaction. Also included is a curable coating composition comprising the durability enhancing agent, a method for obtaining a coated substrate and the coated article obtained thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable coating composition that includes at least three components. The coating composition includes a component (a) having at least one carbamate group or urea group and having a lactone or hydroxy carboxylic acid moiety. The second component (b) of the coating composition is one or more of three materials. First, the second component can be a polymer resin (b)(1) comprising active hydrogen-containing functional groups reactive with the third component(c). Secondly, the second component can be a compound (b)(2) having at least one carbamate group or terminal urea group according to the invention and having at least two linking groups that are urethane or urea. Finally, the second component can be a compound (b)(3) having at least two groups selected from carbamate groups, terminal urea groups, or combinations of the two and at least four urethane or urea linking groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable coating composition that includes at least three components. The coating composition includes a component (a) that includes one or both of a compound (a)(1) having at least one carbamate group or terminal urea group according to the invention and having at least two linking groups that are urethane or urea or a compound (a)(2) having at least two groups selected from carbamate groups, terminal urea groups, or combinations of the two and at least four urethane or urea linking groups. The second component (b) of the coating composition includes a polymer resin comprising active hydrogen-containing functional groups reactive with the third component (c). The resins is selected from polyester, polyurethane, or polyester-polyurethane copolymers Component (c) of the coating composition is a curing agent that is reactive with the first two components. Preparation of coated articles using the compositions of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A durability enhancing agent which comprises an ultraviolet light absorbing compound or hindered amine light stabilizer, or mixture thereof, bonded to a non-acrylic monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric component, said agent comprising more than one carbamate functional group, group convertible to a carbamate group, or a group that crosslinks with a carbamate functional group. Also included is a coating composition including the durability enhancing agent for improved resistance to environmental etch.