Masking solutions comprising siloxane-based surfactants for using in painting operations

Abstract

This invention provides a masking material that can be used to protect an underling surface (e.g. an automobile surface) during an overcoating (e.g. painting) operation. The masking material in one embodiment includes a thickener and a pH control agent and water. The masking material can be applied to a surface that is to be protected from paint overspray or other coating processes, allowed to dry, and the surface then coated (e.g. with paint). After drying of the paint, or other coating, the masking material can removed by water washing.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 771,085, filed on Feb. 6, 2006. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11 / 149,785, filed on Jun. 9, 2005, which claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 579,851, filed on Jun. 14, 2004, all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not Applicable FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to the field of protective coatings to be used during coating operations of various surfaces including surfaces of vehicles or buildings. In certain embodiments the invention provides an improved method and composition for masking selected portions of a surface, in particular a painted vehicle surface, from paint or other overcoating materials. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is well known t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides better ways to protect vehicles and other surfaces from coatings like painting or protect surfaces of manufactured items during assembly. The methods involve using a thickener and a pH control agent."

Problems solved by technology

In practice, masking operations are often one of the most time consuming and, therefore, expensive parts of the painting / overcoating process.

To mask the trim on a car, for example, will often require many hours of tedious labor.

Furthermore, even when done carefully, defects in such paint masks allow paint to contact surfaces that are desired to be protected.

However, such techniques have often not found extensive use.

Some of the proposed chemical masks have been unsuitable for application to portions of a vehicle or building because of damage that could potentially occur to the protected portions of the vehicle or building.

Other compositions are not water-soluble which increases the difficulty and expense of removal.

In addition, masks that require solvents for removal are problematic in view of the increasing regulation of disposal of solvents as environmental regulation becomes stricter with time.

Other compositions are difficult to apply, difficult to remove, excessively costly, or the like.