Abstract: A method includes applying a coating composition to a substrate through a high transfer efficiency applicator, wherein the coating composition comprises a polyamide wax; wherein the coating composition has a wet film thickness of at least about 30 microns measured at about 45 degrees without visible sag after cure, wherein the viscosity measured at a shear rate of about 1 s-1 recovers, after a high shear rate of about 10000 s-1 is applied for about 20 seconds, to within about 95% of a steady state viscosity achieved at greater than about 100 seconds of continuous shearing at about 1 s-1, in less than about 5 seconds; and wherein the coating composition has a complex viscosity measured at a temperature of about 60° C. that is reduced to from about 60 to about 500 mPa-s when the complex viscosity measured at about 30° C. is from about 800 to about 8000 mPa-s.

Abstract: A method of preparing a multi-layer coated article is disclosed. The method utilizes a high transfer efficiency applicator comprising a plurality of nozzles configured to apply a stream or droplets of a coating composition. The method includes providing a substrate bearing a partially-dehydrated aqueous coating layer, preparing a compatible coating composition, and applying the compatible coating composition to the substrate. The compatible coating composition is prepared by providing a test layer of the partially-dehydrated aqueous coating layer, applying a plurality of candidate cosolvents to the test layer, identifying at least one compatible cosolvent, and formulating the compatible coating composition as a waterborne fluid suitable for overspray-free application.

Abstract: A method of preparing a coated article is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate bearing a partially-dehydrated aqueous coating layer. The method further includes providing a coating composition to a high transfer efficiency applicator, the high transfer efficiency applicator comprising a plurality of nozzles each being configured to apply a stream of the coating composition to a substrate substantially without atomization. The coating composition is a waterborne fluid that exhibits a near-Newtonian viscosity profile, and comprises a binder, a crosslinker, and a thickener. The method further includes applying the coating composition to the substrate with the high transfer efficiency applicator via disposing a plurality of lines of the coating composition onto the partially-dehydrated aqueous coating layer of the substrate via the plurality of nozzles, thereby forming an overspray free coating layer thereon.

Abstract: A method includes applying a coating composition to a substrate through a high transfer efficiency applicator to form the coating layer on the substrate wherein a loss of volatiles is less than about 0.5 weight, and wherein the coating composition comprises: A. a resin comprising an acrylic, a polyester, or combinations thereof; B. a melamine cross-linker; C. an optional pigment; D. an organic solvent; and E. at least one polyurea crystal sag control agent that is the reaction product of an amine and an isocyanate, that has a melting point of from about 50° C. to about 150° C., and that is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 4 weight percent based on a total weight of the coating composition; and wherein the coating composition has a wet film thickness of at least about 30 microns measured at about 45 degrees without visible sag.