Abstract: A method of continuously painting one side of a moving substrate metal strip (1) utilizing a thermosetting polymer based paint composition comprises pre-heating the strip in a pre-heat furnace (2) to a pre-heat temperature above the glass transition temperature of the paint composition, driving a solid block (8) of the paint composition into collision with the strip at a predetermined block speed to cause liquid paint to be melted from the block and applied to the strip at a precisely controlled deposition rate. The deposit, which for thin paint coats is discontinuous, is then spread over the surface of the strip by a pressure roll (14) and emerges therefrom as a smooth coat of wet paint. A bead of liquid paint (17) builds up on the strip on the up stream side of the pressure roll and the block speed may be adjusted in response to the bead size. The emergent strip then travels through a paint curing furnace (5) and a bath (6) to complete the process.

Abstract: A metal strip (4) is continuously coated with a thermoset resin based paint by passing it through a pre-heating furnace (5) wherein it is raised to a pre-heat temperature of from 100.degree. to 210.degree. C., then through a coating applicator (6) wherein a solid, substantially solvent free block (11) of the paint composition is pressed against the strip (4) at a substantially constant pressure of from 10 to 100 kilopascals to cause a liquid layer (13) of the paint composition to be deposited on the strip, then through a roll type smoothing device (18) to smooth and spread the layer and doctor it to thickness, then through a curing furnace (8) to thermoset the layer, and finally through a quenching bath (9).