Vehicle including multi-tone coating scheme

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle including a multi-hue coating scheme. A method for providing a multi-hue coating scheme for a vehicle, the method comprising: applying a first coating of a first color to a body of the vehicle with a panel of the vehicle detached from the body of the vehicle; applying a film onto the panel, the film including a second coating of a second color different from the first color; and mounting the panel to a body of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] Introduction

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the works of the currently named inventors and aspects that may not constitute prior art as of the time of filing are neither expressly nor impliedly considered prior art to the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to vehicles including multi - tone paint schemes and methods for applying multi - tone paint schemes. Background Art

[0004] Vehicle bodies typically have a single - tone paint scheme, which means the body is painted with only one color. Some vehicle bodies employ a two - tone paint scheme, which means different areas of the body are painted different colors. For example, a vehicle painted with a two - tone paint scheme may have a roof and the body area below the roof painted different colors. Compared to a single - tone paint scheme, a two - tone paint scheme typically requires more time and effort to apply. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Among various features, the present disclosure includes a method for providing a multi - tone paint scheme for a vehicle, the method comprising: applying a first paint of a first color to the vehicle body with the panel removed from the vehicle body; applying a film to the panel, the film including a second paint of a second color different from the first color; and installing the panel onto the vehicle body.

[0006] In a further feature, the panel is a roof panel.

[0007] In a further feature, the panel is a door panel.

[0008] In a further feature, applying the film to the panel includes applying the film through a thermo - vacuum forming process.

[0009] In a further feature, the present disclosure includes: pretreating the panel by anodizing the panel before applying the film to the panel.

[0010] In a further feature, the present disclosure includes: pretreating the panel using electrophoretic coating before applying the film to the panel.

[0011] In a further feature, the present disclosure includes: applying the first paint to a first area and a second area of the panel before applying the film to the panel; masking the first area to cover the first paint; applying the film to the second area over the first paint through thermo - vacuum forming; and unmasking the first area.

[0012] In additional features, the present disclosure includes: masking a first region of a panel before applying a film to the panel; and applying the film to a second region of the panel different from the first region by thermo-vacuum forming.

[0013] In additional features, the film includes an adhesive; and applying the film to the panel further includes: placing the film on a support fixture with the adhesive facing outward; placing the panel on the support fixture such that the film adheres to the panel through the adhesive; and wrapping the film around the panel.

[0014] In additional features, the film further includes a third coating of a third color different from the second color.

[0015] In additional features, the present disclosure includes mounting a cover to the panel at a boundary region between the second coating and the third coating.

[0016] In additional features, the present disclosure includes forming the film by applying the second coating and the third coating to the film.

[0017] In additional features, the present disclosure includes aligning the panel on a vehicle by moving a panel positioning member of the panel into engagement with a vehicle positioning member of the vehicle.

[0018] In additional features, the present disclosure includes aligning the panel on a vehicle using a machine vision camera.

[0019] In various features, the present disclosure further includes a method for providing a multi-tone paint scheme for a vehicle, the method including: applying a first coating of a first color to the vehicle; forming a paint film including a second coating of a second color and a third coating of a third color, the second color being different from the third color; applying the paint film to a panel of the vehicle by thermo-vacuum forming; and mounting the panel to the vehicle.

[0020] In additional features, forming the paint film further includes: applying the second coating of the second color over the entire width of the paint film; curing the second coating; and applying the third coating of the third color to less than all of the second coating.

[0021] In additional features, forming the paint film further includes simultaneously applying the second coating to a first region of the paint film and applying the third coating to a second region of the paint film different from the first region.

[0022] In additional features, the present disclosure includes: aligning the panel, the second color, and the third color with the vehicle by moving a panel positioning member of the panel into engagement with a vehicle positioning member of the vehicle; and verifying the alignment of the panel, the second color, and the third color using a machine vision camera.

[0023] Among various features, the present disclosure additionally includes a vehicle including a multi-tone paint scheme, the vehicle including: a first paint of a first color, which is painted on the body of the vehicle; and a panel, which is mounted to the body, the panel including a film adhered to the panel by thermo-vacuum forming, the film including a second paint of a second color and a third paint of a third color, at least one of the second color and the third color being different from the first color.

[0024] In an additional feature, the panel is one of a roof panel, a door panel, and a hood panel.

[0025] The present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0026] Technical solution 1. A method for providing a multi-tone paint scheme for a vehicle, the method including:

[0027] With the panel of the vehicle removed from the body of the vehicle, applying a first paint of a first color to the body of the vehicle;

[0028] Applying a film to the panel, the film including a second paint of a second color different from the first color; and

[0029] Mounting the panel to the body of the vehicle.

[0030] Technical solution 2. The method according to technical solution 1, wherein the panel is a roof panel.

[0031] Technical solution 3. The method according to technical solution 1, wherein the panel is a door panel.

[0032] Technical solution 4. The method according to technical solution 1, wherein applying the film to the panel includes applying the film through a thermo-vacuum forming process.

[0033] Technical solution 5. The method according to technical solution 1, further including: pretreating the panel by anodizing the panel before applying the film to the panel.

[0034] Technical solution 6. The method according to technical solution 1, further including: pretreating the panel by electrophoretic coating before applying the film to the panel.

[0035] Technical solution 7. The method according to technical solution 1, further including: before applying the film to the panel, applying the first paint to a first region and a second region of the panel; masking the first region to cover the first paint; applying the film to the second region over the first paint through thermo-vacuum forming; and unmasking the first region.

[0036] Technical solution 8. The method according to technical solution 1 further includes: before applying the film to the panel, masking a first area of the panel; and applying the film to a second area of the panel different from the first area by thermo-vacuum forming.

[0037] Technical solution 9. The method according to technical solution 1, wherein:

[0038] the film includes an adhesive; and

[0039] applying the film to the panel further includes: placing the film on a support fixture with the adhesive facing outward; placing the panel on the support fixture such that the film adheres to the panel through the adhesive; and wrapping the film around the panel.

[0040] Technical solution 10. The method according to technical solution 1, wherein the film further includes a third coating of a third color different from the second color.

[0041] Technical solution 11. The method according to technical solution 10 further includes installing a cover to the panel at a boundary area between the second coating and the third coating.

[0042] Technical solution 12. The method according to technical solution 10 further includes forming the film by applying the second coating and the third coating to the film.

[0043] Technical solution 13. The method according to technical solution 10 further includes aligning the panel on the vehicle by moving a panel positioning member of the panel to cooperate with a vehicle positioning member of the vehicle.

[0044] Technical solution 14. The method according to technical solution 10 further includes aligning the panel on the vehicle using a machine vision camera.

[0045] Technical solution 15. A method for providing a multi-tone coating solution for a vehicle, the method including:

[0046] applying a first coating of a first color to the vehicle;

[0047] forming a coating film including a second coating of a second color and a third coating of a third color, the second color being different from the third color;

[0048] applying the coating film to a panel of the vehicle by thermo-vacuum forming; and

[0049] installing the panel to the vehicle.

[0050] Technical solution 16. The method according to technical solution 15, wherein forming the coating film further comprises:

[0051] Applying the second coating of the second color over the entire width of the coating film;

[0052] Curing the second coating; and

[0053] Applying the third coating of the third color over less than all of the second coating.

[0054] Technical solution 17. The method according to technical solution 15, wherein forming the coating film further comprises simultaneously applying the second coating to a first region of the coating film and applying the third coating to a second region of the coating film different from the first region.

[0055] Technical solution 18. The method according to technical solution 15, further comprising:

[0056] Aligning the panel, the second color, and the third color with the vehicle by moving a panel positioning member of the panel into engagement with a vehicle positioning member of the vehicle; and

[0057] Verifying the alignment of the panel, the second color, and the third color using a machine vision camera.

[0058] Technical solution 19. A vehicle including a multi-tone coating scheme, the vehicle comprising:

[0059] A first coating of a first color, which is coated on the body of the vehicle; and

[0060] A panel, which is mounted to the body, the panel including a film adhered to the panel by thermo-vacuum forming, the film including a second coating of a second color and a third coating of a third color, at least one of the second color and the third color being different from the first color.

[0061] Technical solution 20. The vehicle according to technical solution 19, wherein the panel is one of a roof panel, a door panel, and a hood panel.

[0062] Additional application areas of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings. The detailed description and the specific examples are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Description of the Drawings

[0063] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the drawings, wherein:

[0064] Figure 1is a top view of an exemplary vehicle including an exemplary multi-tone paint scheme according to the present disclosure, the vehicle including a body painted with a first paint of a first color and a roof panel covered with a film including a second paint of a second color different from the first color;

[0065] Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 2C Illustrated is an exemplary process for applying a film to a roof panel by thermal vacuum forming;

[0066] Figure 3 Illustrated is a method for providing a vehicle with a multi-tone paint scheme according to the present disclosure;

[0067] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Another method according to the present disclosure illustrates applying a film including a second paint of a second color to a window frame of an exemplary vehicle door;

[0068] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An additional method according to the present disclosure is illustrated in which a film including a second paint of a second color is applied to a window frame, the method including using a support fixture for holding the film before applying the film to the window frame;

[0069] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary vehicle door panel having a film covering a window frame and a body of the door panel, wherein the film comprises a second paint of a second color at the window frame and a third paint of a third color different from the second color at the body;

[0070] Figure 7 Illustrated is an exemplary method for preparing a film including both a second coating of a second color and a third coating of a third color according to the present disclosure;

[0071] Figure 8 Illustrated is a paint film manufacturing system for manufacturing a paint film having two or more colors according to the present disclosure; and

[0072] Figure 9 Illustrated is a system for aligning a roof panel on a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0073] In the drawings, reference numerals may be repeated to identify similar and / or identical elements. Specific implementation method

[0074] Figure 1 ​Illustrated is an exemplary vehicle 10 including a multi - tone paint scheme in accordance with the present disclosure. Although the figures illustrate a multi - tone paint scheme applied to a vehicle, the present disclosure is also applicable to non - vehicle applications. Thus, the methods and systems for providing a multi - tone paint scheme set forth herein are applicable to vehicles and any other suitable structures, surfaces, etc.

[0075] Figure 1 The vehicle 10 includes a body 12, and the body 12 includes various panels, such as a door panel 14, a roof panel 16, and a hood panel 18. In Figure 1 the example, except for the roof panel 16, the body 12 is painted with a first paint 50 including a first color. The first paint 50 is applied in any suitable manner, such as by spraying the first paint 50 onto the panels of the body 12.

[0076] The roof panel 16 is covered with a film 110. The film 110 can be made of any suitable material, such as any suitable polymeric material, including but not limited to acrylic polyurethane, acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene (ABS), high - impact polystyrene (HIPS), or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG). The film 110 includes a second paint 52. The second paint 52 has a second color different from the first color of the first paint 50. As Figure 2A illustrated, the film 110 includes an outer film surface 112 to which the second paint 52 is applied. The inner film surface 114 of the film 110 is opposite the outer film surface 112. The inner film surface 114 includes an adhesive.

[0077] As explained herein, the film 110 is applied to the roof panel 16 by thermo - vacuum forming. The film 110 can also be applied to the roof panel 16 in any other suitable manner. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 2C illustrate an exemplary process for applying the film 110 to the roof panel 16 by thermo - vacuum forming. Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B and Figure 2C The process can also be used to apply the film 110 to any other panel of the vehicle 10 and any other suitable surface.

[0078] First, referring to Figure 2A , the film 110 and the panel 16 are placed within a vacuum chamber 210, and specifically within an airtight chamber 220 of the vacuum chamber 210. The panel 16 includes an outer panel surface 30 opposite an inner panel surface 32. To apply the film 110 to the panel 16 by thermo - vacuum forming, the film 110 is heated, and then air is drawn out of the airtight chamber 220 through an outlet 222 by applying a vacuum. Referring to Figure 2B and Figure 2C, a vacuum draws the inner membrane surface 114 onto the outer panel surface 30. An adhesive on the inner membrane surface 114 secures the membrane 110 to the outer panel surface 30. In Figure 2C 's example, the membrane 110 covers the entire outer panel surface 30. Excess portions of the membrane 110 are removed in any suitable manner, such as by laser cutting.

[0079] Figure 3 Illustrated is an exemplary method 310 for providing a multi-tone paint scheme for a vehicle 10 in accordance with the present disclosure. The method 310 is applicable to any suitable vehicle and can be applied to any other suitable application to provide a multi-tone paint scheme. Referring first to block 312, one or more panels of the vehicle body 12 (e.g., door panel 14, roof panel 16, hood panel 18) are removed from the vehicle 10 to provide a different color for the removed panels than the remainder of the vehicle body 12. In the case where the (multiple) panels are removed, the vehicle body 12 is painted with a first paint 50 of a first color using any suitable painting process. At block 314, the first paint 50 is cured. Before, after, or during the application of the first paint 50, the removed panels are pretreated at block 320. The pretreatment depends on the composition of each particular vehicle body panel. For example, composite vehicle body panels may not require pretreatment. Steel, aluminum, or hybrid metal vehicle body panels are pretreated by applying a thin film or phosphate to the panel and electroplating. For all aluminum vehicle body panels, the panels can be treated with any suitable anodization process.

[0080] After the panels have been pretreated at block 320, the method 310 continues to block 322. At block 322, a membrane 110 including a second paint 52 (which is different from the first color of the first paint 50) is applied to the removed panels. For example, the membrane 110 can be applied to the roof panel 16, as Figure 1 , Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C illustrated. The membrane 110 can also be applied to any other suitable panel. For example, the membrane 110 can be applied to one or more door panels 14, hood panels 18, or any other suitable panel of the vehicle body 12 or elsewhere on the vehicle 10. The method 310 continues from block 322 to block 324. At block 324, excess membrane 110 is trimmed from the panel to which the membrane has been applied, such as by laser trimming. At block 330, the panel including the membrane 110 is attached to the vehicle body 12 of the vehicle 10, which includes the first paint 50 of the first color, to provide a multi-tone paint scheme for the vehicle 10. Additional membranes 110 including the second paint 52 or paints of different colors can also be applied to any other panel of the vehicle body 12.

[0081] Figure 4A and Figure 4BIllustrated is the application of the film 110 to the window frame of the door panel 14. The door panel 14 includes a first region 20 and a second region 22. The first region 20 includes the body of the door panel 14, and the second region 22 includes the window frame of the door panel 14. Before applying the film 110, the entire door panel 14 (including the first region 20 and the second region 22) may be painted with a first paint 50, painted with a paint of any other color, or the door panel 14 may be in the white body state. As Figure 4A illustrated, the first region 20 is covered in any suitable manner (such as using any suitable mask 60). Then the film 110 is applied to the second region 22, which in this example is the window frame. The film 110 may be applied by thermo-vacuum forming in the manner described above and Figures 2A to 2C illustrated with respect to the roof panel 16, or may be applied in any other suitable manner. After applying the film 110, the mask 60 is removed. The result is that the first region 20 of the door panel 14 is painted with the first paint 50 of the first color, and its second region 22 is covered with the film 110 painted with the second paint 52 of the second color.

[0082] Figure 5A and Figure 5B illustrates the use of a support fixture 410 to facilitate the application of the film 110 to the second region of the door panel 14. With particular reference to Figure 5A , the support fixture 410 is generally sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the door panel 14. The support fixture 410 is shaped to be similar to the outer surface of the door panel 14, but slightly larger to allow the excess portion of the film 110 to wrap around the door panel 14, as described below. Thus, the support fixture 410 includes a body 412 that is generally sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the first region 20 of the door panel 14. The support fixture 410 also includes a frame 414 that is generally sized and shaped to approximate the second region 22 of the door panel 14. To apply the film 110 to the second region 22 of the door panel 14, first the film 110 is placed on the frame 414 of the support fixture 410 with the inner film surface 114 facing up. The inner film surface 114 includes an adhesive, as explained in the description above in Figures 2A to 2C .

[0083] The film 110 may be pre-cut and only laid on the frame 414. Alternatively, the film 110 may be laid across a larger portion of the support fixture 410 (such as across both the frame 414 and the body 412). Any portion of the film 110 that is not intended to be transferred to the door panel 14 is covered by any suitable mask 60. The mask 60 has a non-stick surface to prevent the inner film surface 114 of the film 110 from adhering to it.

[0084] The support fixture 410 includes a plurality of holes through which a vacuum can be drawn from the back side of the support fixture 410. The film 110 is heated through the support fixture 410, and a vacuum is drawn from the back side of the support fixture 410 to form the film 110. Pressure can be applied to the film 110 from the front side of the support fixture 410 to push the film 110 against the support fixture 410.

[0085] Referring Figure 5B , after the film 110 is disposed on the support fixture 410, the door panel 14 is placed on the support fixture 410 and pressed against the film 110. As a result, the adhesive on the inner film surface 114 adheres the film 110 to the second region 22 of the door panel 14. The excess material of the film 110 is wrapped around the second region 22 of the door panel 14 using any suitable crimping tool (such as a cylindrical rolling tool) and sealed in any suitable manner. The excess portion of the film 110 can also be cut, such as using a laser cutting device. The first region 20 of the door panel 14 can be painted any suitable color in any suitable manner. For example, the first region 20 can be painted with a first paint 50 before applying the film 110.

[0086] Figure 6 The door panel 14 is illustrated, which includes a film 110 applied thereto by thermo-vacuum forming (such as described in the corresponding description above Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 2C ), or in any other suitable manner. The film 110 is applied to both the first region 20 and the second region 22 of the door panel 14. The portion of the film 110 covering the second region 22 is painted with a second paint 52 of a second color. The portion of the film 110 covering the first region 20 is painted with a third paint 54 of a third color. Any suitable cover 70 (e.g., which can be configured as a decorative piece) is installed on the door panel 14 at the transition region between the second paint 52 and the third paint 54. The cover 70 advantageously conceals the transition region. Thus, in Figure 6 's example, the film 110 includes both a second paint 52 and a third paint 54 having different colors to provide a two-tone color configuration for the door panel 14. The film 110 can also include more than two paint colors to provide more than two colors for the door panel 14.

[0087] Figure 7Illustrated is an exemplary method 510 for applying multiple coatings to a film 110. At block 512 of method 510, any suitable primer layer is first applied to the film 110. At block 514, the primer layer is cured in any suitable manner, such as by thermal curing or ultraviolet curing. The second coating 52 and the third coating 54 can be applied separately or simultaneously. When applied separately, method 510 proceeds to block 516. At block 516, a first basecoat of a first color is applied across the entire width of the film 110. For example, a second coating 52 of a second color can be applied across the entire width of the film 110. At block 518, the first basecoat, such as the second coating 52, is cured by thermal curing or ultraviolet curing. At block 520, a second basecoat of a second color is applied to the portion of the film 110 that requires the second color. Thus, when the second coating 52 is applied across the entire width of the film 110, the third coating 54 will be applied to the portion of the second coating 52 that requires the third color. At block 522, the second basecoat is cured in any suitable manner, such as with ambient or heated flash. At block 524, any suitable clear coat is applied over the entire film 110, such as over the second coating 52 and the third coating 54. At block 526, the clear coat is cured by thermal curing or ultraviolet curing.

[0088] The first basecoat and the second basecoat can also be applied simultaneously. For example, after the primer layer is cured at block 514, method 510 can proceed to block 530. At block 530, both the first basecoat and the second basecoat are applied simultaneously. The method proceeds from block 530 to block 522. Figure 8 Illustrated is an exemplary system 610 for applying both the first basecoat and the second basecoat simultaneously.

[0089] At Figure 8In the example, the first primer coat can be the second coating 52 of a second color, and the second primer coat can be the third coating 54 of a third color. The system 610 includes a first roller 612 and a second roller 614. The film 110 is rolled from the first roller 612 onto the second roller 614. The system 610 includes a first hopper 620 and a second hopper 622. In the illustrated example, the first hopper 620 includes the second coating 52, and the second hopper 622 includes the third coating 54. The first hopper 620 is disposed above a first region of the film 110, and the second hopper 622 is disposed above a second region of the film 110. The first and second regions are adjacent to each other with a separator 640 therebetween to separate the two colors and maintain a fixed separation line between the two colors on the film. Between the first roller 612 and the second roller 614 are a plurality of dryers 630. As the film is rolled from the first roller 612 onto the second roller 614, the first primer coat is deposited from the first hopper 620 onto the film 110, and the second primer coat is deposited from the second hopper 622 onto the film 110. The first and second primer coats are dried by the dryers 630 before reaching the second roller 64.

[0090] In Figure 8 the example, the first primer coat is the second coating 52, and the second primer coat is the third coating 54. However, any suitable coating of any color can be deposited onto the film 110 through the first hopper 620 and the second hopper 622. The positions of the first hopper 620 and the second hopper 622 can be at any suitable positions relative to the film 110. In the illustrated example, the first hopper 620 and the second hopper 622 store the respective coatings adjacent to each other. However, the hoppers 620, 622 can be at any other suitable positions relative to the film 110. Although Figure 8 the illustration shows two hoppers, more than two hoppers can be included for storing additional primer coats of additional colors. The coating dispenser is used to collect the coatings from the hoppers 620, 622 and distribute the coatings evenly onto the film 110. The separator 640 separates the coatings from the two hoppers 620, 622 and forms a fixed separation line on the film 110. The separator 640 is movable to adjust the separation line on the film 110.

[0091] Referring to Figure 9 , the roof panel 16 includes a plurality of positioning members 80, each of the positioning members 80 being configured to cooperate with a corresponding locator of the vehicle 10. In the illustrated example, the positioning member 80 is configured as a tongue extending from the lower surface of the roof panel 16. The positioning member 80 is configured to be received by a suitable seat of the vehicle 10, which seat is positioned to ensure correct alignment of the roof panel 16 and the painted film 110 applied thereto. Any other painted panel of the vehicle 10 can also include the positioning members 80, such as the door panel 14, the hood panel 18, etc.

[0092] Once the painted panel is installed on the vehicle 10, its alignment can be verified in any suitable manner, such as by using any suitable machine vision inspection system. In Figure 9 the example of Figure 9 , the robotic arm 710 includes a machine vision camera 720. The robotic arm 710 is configured to manipulate the camera 720 to verify the alignment of the painted features of the roof panel 16 or any other panel of the vehicle 10. In

[0093] the example of

[0094] , the roof panel 16 includes a film 110 that is painted with a second coating 52 and is arranged as a strip extending along the center of the roof panel 16. The positioning member 80 is configured to cooperate with the receptacle of the vehicle 10 to correctly position the strip. The robotic arm 710 manipulates the camera 720 to scan the strip and the surrounding area of the vehicle 10 to verify the correct positioning of the strip. The camera 720 can be configured to verify the alignment of any other painted features of the roof panel 16 or any other panel of the vehicle 10.

[0095] In the accompanying drawings, the direction of the arrow indicated by the arrow generally represents the information flow (such as data or instructions) of interest in the illustration. For example, when component A and component B exchange various information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow can point from component A to component B. This one-way arrow does not mean that there is no other information transmitted from component B to component A. In addition, for the information transmitted from component A to component B, component B can send a request for the information or receive an acknowledgement to component A.

Claims

1. A method of providing a vehicle with a multi-tone paint scheme, the method comprising: applying a first paint of a first color to a body of the vehicle with the panel of the vehicle removed from the body of the vehicle; applying a film to the panel, the film comprising a second coating of a second color different from the first color; and The panel is mounted to the body of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The panel is a roof panel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The panel is a door panel.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Applying the film to the panel includes applying the film by a thermal vacuum forming process.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Prior to applying the film to the panel, the panel is pre-treated by anodizing the panel.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Before applying the film to the panel, the panel is pre-treated using electrophoretic painting.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: applying the first coating to first and second areas of the panel before applying the film to the panel; masking the first area to cover the first coating; applying the film to the second region over the first coating by thermal vacuum forming; and demasking the first region.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: prior to applying the film to the panel, masking a first area of ​​the panel; The film is applied to a second area of ​​the panel different from the first area by thermal vacuum forming.

9. A method of providing a vehicle with a multi-tone paint scheme, the method comprising: applying a first paint of a first color to the vehicle; forming a coating film including a second coating of a second color and a third coating of a third color, the second color being different from the third color; applying the paint film to a panel of the vehicle by thermal vacuum forming; and The panel is mounted to the vehicle.

10. A vehicle comprising a multi-tone paint scheme, the vehicle comprising: a first paint of a first color, which is applied to the body of the vehicle; and A panel mounted to the vehicle body, the panel comprising a film adhered to the panel by thermal vacuum forming, the film comprising a second paint of a second color and a third paint of a third color, at least one of the second color and the third color being different from the first color.

Images