Temporary removable solvent based protective coating

Abstract

This invention is for a composition of clear or pigmented coating that is temporary and removable. It is especially designed to protect the surface of an automobile from the damaging effects of the environment and also from damage caused by normal daily use. The coating is a composition of 40 to 80% of cellulose acetate butyrate ester, 15 to 60% of an acrylic polymer and 2 to 10% of a sucrose acetate isobutyrate. The remover is a combination of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, dibasic ester, diacetone alcohol, ethyl 3 ethoxypropionate; 2,2,4 trimethyl-1,3 pentanoldiol monoisobutyrate, and white mineral oil.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 914,123, entitled “A Water Based Back Coat For Temporary Graphics Fabrication,” filed Apr. 26, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 914,133, entitled “A Solvent Based Top Coating For Temporary Graphics Fabrication,” filed Apr. 26, 2007, both of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is generally related to a temporary removable solvent based protective coating and to removers for removing such coatings.[0003]This invention also provides a remover composition that is biodegradable, and a method for easily removing the temporary coating using the remover, without damage to the underlying substrate. After removal and clean up, a new temporary coating can be repeatedly re-applied to the same surface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]Painted and unpainted surfaces on automobiles, trucks, buse...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]This invention provides a removable coating composition which is used for temporarily coating various types of automobile bodies, machinery and equipment, and when desired, the coating can be easily removed without harming the underlying substrate.

[0016]The coating of this invention after application offers good protection against wear and scratching, and has good resistance against environmental factors and common detergents encountered during normal use. When desired, the temporary coating can be removed in a short time by treating the coating with a specially formulated remover composition.

[0017]This invention is for a clear or pigmented coating that is durable, yet temporary and easily removable. It is designed to be used for coating surfaces such as a painted automobile or other moving vehicle body, a marine or aeronautical craft body and other equipment or machinery. The coating protects the painted or unpainted surfaces from marring, scratching and other light physical damage, ultraviolet (UV) light and other damage due to environmental factors such as acid rain, oxidation, bird droppings and bugs. The temporary coating, once applied to a painted finish, has excellent clarity, durability, UV resistance, resistance to water and common detergents and oxidation resistance. The temporary coating can be used as a protective temporary removable coating for the front of motor vehicles to act as a protectant against flying debris and road chips during normal use. The temporary coating can be pigmented or colored to match the existing color and gloss of the painted finish using the conventional colorants used by body shops.

[0018]The temporary coating can also be used to protect painted and unpainted surfaces of automobiles or other machinery and equipment in transit during shipment. The temporary coating may contain special metallized pigments that are used to obtain special effects. Coatings can be formulated to allow the metallized pigments to orientate in the coating to obtain the required appearance. The pigmented coating can also be used to make temporary removable signs that can be applied directly onto surfaces by standard methods such as screen printing, spray or roller.

[0019]A specialized temporary clear coating was developed that when applied to painted surfaces will protect the surface from harmful environmental exposure and light mechanical abuse. The temporary clear coating does not affect the appearance of the painted finish except for adding some gloss. The temporary protective coating can be buffed and compounded to blend into the existing finish. The temporary protective coating can also be pigmented or colored to match the existing color and gloss of the painted finish using conventional colorants used by body shops.

[0020]This invention also provided a special remover composition that is able to remove the coating, even after extended use, without causing any harm to the underlying substrate. The remover composition is based on VOC exempt solvents, is biodegradable and does not contain any flammable components nor does it contain any hazardous air pollutants (HAPS). After removal and clean up, a new temporary coating can be repeatedly re-applied to the same surface.

Problems solved by technology

Painted and unpainted surfaces on automobiles, trucks, buses, vans, off-road equipment, construction equipment and other moving vehicles such as marine, military and aeronautical crafts are subject to damage from acid rain, flying road debris, insects, bird droppings, tree rosin, tar, asphalt, UV light, dirt, pollution and many other environmental and mechanical influences.

Consequently, these strong solvents damage the painted surface to which the coatings are applied.

Silicone protectants do not protect painted finishes against damage from flying road debris, insects, bird droppings, tree rosin, tar, asphalt and many other environmental and mechanical influences.

Peelable coatings have been evaluated in the market place but are not popular as they cannot be easily removed from painted surfaces after having been left on surfaces exposed to the environment for some time.

Peelable coatings are also expensive to install.

The wax based coatings are very limited in their applications as they tend to accumulate dust and dirt, and are aesthetically not appealing.

Temporary coatings on the market today are not easily removable without harming the underlying substrate, and do not have the necessary durability and adhesion properties to remain intact for even a short time.

However, such commercial paint strippers will damage the painted finishes to which the temporary coating is applied.