Method for applying coating compositions having different leveling and / or sag resistance properties to different target areas of an object - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for applying at least two coating compositions with different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different properties. The coating compositions are applied in such a way that each coating composition is not applied to the target area(s) with different properties, i.e. the target area(s) with the same properties are coated with the same coating composition with a specific leveling property and / or specific sagging resistance. The method of the present invention allows the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition to be matched to the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance required for the properties of the different target area(s). This allows areas of the object with different orientations relative to each other to be coated with high quality, because the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition required for the target areas with different orientations can be matched to the orientation of the target area(s). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the method of the present invention for coating target areas of an object with different orientations relative to each other. Finally, the present invention relates to a system for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance using an application device to an object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different properties.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for applying at least two coating compositions with different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different properties. The coating compositions are applied in such a way that each coating composition is not applied to the target area(s) with different properties, i.e. the target area(s) with the same properties are coated with the same coating composition with a specific leveling property and / or specific sagging resistance. The method of the present invention allows the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition to be matched to the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance required for the properties of the different target area(s). This allows areas of the object with different orientations relative to each other to be coated with high quality, because the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition required for the target areas with different orientations can be matched to the orientation of the target area(s). Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the method of the present invention for coating target areas of an object with different orientations relative to each other. Finally, the present invention relates to a system for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance using an application device to an object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different properties. [Background technology]

[0002] In the painting of luxury products, e.g. automobiles, the paints are usually applied in multiple layers. In this kind of multi-layer coating system for automobile chassis, a primer is applied first. The primer is intended to improve the adhesion between the substrate and the subsequent layers and also serves to protect the substrate from corrosion if it is prone to corrosion. In addition, the primer ensures improved surface properties by covering any roughness and structure present in the substrate. Especially in the case of metal substrates, a primer surfacer is often applied to the primer, whose role is to further improve the surface properties and to improve the stone chipping resistance. Typically, one or more color and / or effect layers are applied to the primer surfacer, which are called base coats. Finally, a clear coat is generally applied to the base coat, which ensures the desired glossy appearance and protects the coating system from environmental influences. The combination of base coat and clear coat is also called a composite color-plus-clear coating.

[0003] Color-plus-clear systems are often chosen when exterior coatings must have optimal visual appearance and excellent durability and weatherability. As a result, color-plus-clear composite coatings are used extensively in the automotive industry, especially on automotive body panels. Minimum performance requirements for clearcoat coating compositions intended for use on automotive body panels include high levels of adhesion, scratch and mar resistance, chip resistance, moisture resistance, and weatherability as measured by QUV. Clearcoat compositions must also be capable of providing a visual appearance characterized by a high degree of gloss, distinctness of image (DOI), and smoothness. Finally, such coatings must also be easy to apply in a production environment and resistant to application defects.

[0004] Clearcoats used in color-plus-clear systems are typically applied at a significantly higher film thickness than the film thickness at which the pigmented basecoat is applied. Such higher clearcoat film thickness is an aspect of the system that contributes to the desired appearance and / or durability of the overall color-plus-clear system. For example, automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) facilities typically apply clearcoat compositions at a wet film thickness of 20.3-152.4 μm (0.8-6.0 mils) to provide a cured clearcoat film thickness of 12.7-88.9 μm (0.5-3.5 mils). In contrast, pigmented basecoat compositions are typically applied at a wet film thickness of 5.1-101.6 μm (0.2-4.0 mils) to provide a cured basecoat film thickness of 2.5-50.8 μm (0.1-2.0 mils).

[0005] Unfortunately, higher film thickness requirements for clearcoats can exacerbate the tendency of clearcoat compositions to sag. Sagging occurs primarily on vertically oriented surfaces and is described as an undesirable downward flow of the applied coating. Sagging, which often appears as drips or runs, can result from a "too thick" or "too wet" application of the coating. Ideally, a commercially successful clearcoat composition has an inherent tendency to resist sagging, regardless of application and / or equipment parameters. The more resistant a clearcoat is to sagging on vertically oriented surfaces, the easier it is to apply in automotive OEM facilities.

[0006] However, vertically oriented sag-resistant clearcoats have traditionally shown increased resistance to flow on horizontally oriented surfaces. The resistance of the coating composition to flow on horizontally oriented surfaces often results in the resulting cured film having an "orange peel" and / or an overall unacceptable appearance in terms of smoothness, gloss and DOI. Orange peel is described as repeating irregularities in the surface of the cured film resulting from the inability of the applied wet film to "lay flat" after application. A cured film with orange peel feels smooth to the touch but appears to have a continuous series of small bumps or depressions. The more the applied wet film is unable to "lay flat" or flow, the more pronounced or distinct the small bumps or depressions appear to the observer. The presence of such surface irregularities makes it particularly difficult to obtain a smooth, glossy coated clearcoat surface with a high DOI rating.

[0007] Clearly, adequate leveling and minimizing sagging are conflicting requirements. One approach to obtain an adequate overall appearance is to carefully control the rheological properties of the paint to ensure that the paint obtains the proper value of overall film flow that results in a good balance between sagging and leveling. This approach is currently used in the automotive manufacturing industry (hereafter also referred to as OEM), where only one clearcoat quality with a good balance between sagging and leveling is applied to the horizontal and vertical areas of the car. Using this clearcoat quality provides an adequate overall appearance, but as mentioned above, increasing the quality in the horizontal areas necessarily comes at the same time with a decrease in the quality in the vertical areas and vice versa.

[0008] It would be advantageous to apply different coating materials with customized leveling properties and / or sagging resistance depending on the orientation of the part of the object to be coated. Leveling and sagging could then be optimized independently of each other to achieve higher quality in terms of the overall appearance of the resulting coated object. The applied coating materials with customizable leveling properties and / or sagging resistance should be easy to formulate from a limited number of components and suitable for use in combination with conventional application equipment. Furthermore, the tailored coating compositions should be more efficient in terms of material consumption, since larger amounts of untailored coating compositions do not have to be applied to achieve the same results, since their properties are tailored to the respective application. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for applying at least two coating compositions with different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance to different target areas of an object. The method allows the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition to be matched to the properties, e.g. orientation, of the target area of ​​the object, improving the overall appearance of the resulting coating layer. Applying coating compositions with leveling properties and / or sagging resistance tailored to the properties of each target area of ​​the object results in less consumption of coating composition, thus making the process more efficient and less volatile organics being generated during the curing of the applied coating material. The method allows the use of commonly used application equipment and should result in a coating layer with good optical and mechanical properties. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This problem is solved by the subject matter claimed in the patent claims and also by preferred embodiments of said subject matter, as described below.

[0011] A first subject of the present invention is therefore a method for applying at least two coating compositions with different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance to an object comprising at least two target areas, each target area having different properties, said method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a first coating composition C1 having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging, (b) applying the first coating composition C1 provided in step (a) to at least a portion of the target area having a first property P1; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) at least once, - each further coating composition C provided when repeating step (a) x The specific leveling properties and / or the specific sagging resistance of the coating composition P1 provided above and each of the further coating compositions C provided above are x Specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance differ from those of - each coating composition C x is applied to at least a portion of the target area having a property different from the property of P1 and each further previously coated target area in repeating step (b). process Includes.

[0012] The above specified method is hereinafter also referred to as the inventive method and is therefore the subject of the present invention. Preferred embodiments of the inventive method are evident from the following description and from the dependent claims.

[0013] The method of the present invention allows the specific leveling properties and / or sag resistance of the coating composition to be matched to the properties of each of the target areas of the object. For example, a coating composition with a highly modified rheology, i.e., a coating composition with high sag resistance, is applied to the vertically oriented target areas of the object to avoid sagging of the applied coating composition, which may adversely affect the overall optical appearance of the coated object. A coating composition with a low degree of rheology modification is applied to the horizontally oriented target areas to obtain good leveling in these target areas and avoid the adverse effects on the overall optical appearance of the coated object associated with poor leveling. The use of a coating composition with better leveling properties than a coating composition with a balanced leveling property and sag resistance in the horizontally oriented target areas is achieved with a thinner layer thickness, which allows the amount of coating composition applied to these target areas to be lower. In the method of the present invention, matching the properties of the coating compositions to the different properties of the target areas of the object results in higher overall optical quality and lower coating composition usage than using a single coating composition with balanced leveling and sag resistance properties, because the leveling and / or sag resistance properties of each coating composition applied in step (b) are tailored to the respective properties of the target areas of the object, particularly the orientation of the target areas of the object.

[0014] A further subject of the present invention is a method for applying at least two clearcoat coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different properties, the method comprising: (a) a first clearcoat coating composition C1 having high sagging resistance and a further clearcoat composition C having high leveling properties x Providing (b) applying the first clearcoat coating composition C1 provided in step (a) to at least a portion of the plurality of vertically oriented target areas; (c) the further clearcoat coating composition C provided in step (a). x to at least a portion of a plurality of horizontally oriented target areas; and (d) optionally repeating step (b) or repeating steps (b) and (c) at least once. Includes.

[0015] A further subject of the invention is the use of the method according to the invention for coating areas of an object which have different orientations relative to one another.

[0016] A further subject of the invention is a system for applying, by means of an application device, at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising at least two target areas, each target area having different properties, the system comprising: - an application device comprising an applicator including a nozzle; - a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute application instructions and, optionally, mix ratio instructions to control the application device; and - in fluid communication with the applicator, and i at least two components (A) having different leveling properties and / or different specific sagging resistance i ) i=1、…、n and optionally at least one hardener component B, or at least two coating compositions having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance (C i ) i=1、…、n At least two reservoirs configured to contain Including, The applicator comprises: ○ Ingredient (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally a hardener component B from a reservoir, i ) i=1、…、n Optionally, mix with hardener component B in a nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and The resulting coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through a nozzle. i onto at least two target areas having different characteristics such that at least a portion of the coating is not dispensed onto the same target area or areas of the object, forming at least two coating layers. or The applicator comprises: ○ at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from a reservoir; and Coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through a nozzle. i onto at least two target areas having different characteristics such that at least a portion of the coating is not dispensed onto the same target area or areas of the object, forming at least two coating layers. It is configured as follows.

[0017] A further subject of the present invention is a system for applying, utilizing an application device, at least two clearcoat coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different properties, the system comprising: - an application device comprising a nozzle; - a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute application instructions and, optionally, mix ratio instructions to control the application device; and - in fluid communication with the application device, and i Two components (A) with different leveling properties and different specific sagging resistance i ) i=1、…、nand optionally at least one hardener component B, or two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n Two reservoirs configured to contain Including, The application device comprises: ○ Ingredient (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally a hardener component B from a reservoir, i ) i=1、…、n Optionally, mix with hardener component B in a nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and First, the obtained first clear coat coating composition (C1) is discharged through a nozzle based on a coating command onto a vertically oriented target area, and then the obtained second clear coat coating composition (C2) is discharged through a nozzle based on a coating command onto a horizontally oriented target area to form two coating layers. or The applicator is ○ Two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from a reservoir; and First, a first clear coat coating composition (C1) is discharged through a nozzle based on a coating command onto a vertically oriented target area, and then the resulting second clear coat coating composition (C2) is discharged through a nozzle based on a coating command onto a horizontally oriented target area to form at least two coating layers. It is configured as follows. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 to be coated with a coating material. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Definition: First, a number of terms used in the context of the present invention will be explained.

[0020] As used herein, the grammatical articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include "at least one" or "one or more," unless otherwise indicated, even if "at least one" or "one or more" is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, these articles are used herein to refer to one or more (i.e., "at least one") of the object of the grammatical article. By way of example, and not by way of limitation, "a component" means one or more components, and thus potentially more than one component is contemplated and utilized or used in the practice of the described embodiments. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by the context of usage, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular.

[0021] For convenience, in this specification of the present invention, "polymer" and "resin" are used interchangeably to encompass resins, oligomers, and polymers.

[0022] The term "poly(meth)acrylate" refers to both polyacrylates and polymethacrylates. Poly(meth)acrylates may therefore be composed of acrylates and / or methacrylates and may contain further ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as styrene or acrylic acid. The term "(meth)acryloyl" in the sense of the present invention encompasses methacryloyl compounds, acryloyl compounds and mixtures thereof, respectively.

[0023] The term "leveling properties" refers to the ability of a coating material to remove surface defects that occur after application of the coating material. Said surface defects are often not visible immediately after application and may include orange peel, dents, fish eyes, repellencies and / or pinholes. Most of these defects are the result of local surface tension differences of the raw materials involved, contaminants on the substrate, or surface tension differences due to solvent evaporation.

[0024] The term "sag resistance" is defined as the ability of an applied coating film to resist sag defects, which are the curling or sagging of a wet coating due to gravity. Sag is a factor of the coating composition and viscosity, as a coating composition with a higher viscosity will have a higher sag resistance than a coating film produced from a coating composition with a lower viscosity. Sag resistance can be measured, for example, according to ASTM D4400 - Standard Test Method for Sag Resistance of Paints Using a Multi-Notch Applicator. Sag resistance can be influenced by the use of sag control additives, which affect and in particular improve the sag resistance of the coating film produced from the respective component or coating material.

[0025] The term "multiple target areas" refers to the presence of at least two target areas on the object to be coated. A target area is an area on the object to which the coating composition is applied, i.e. with defined areas, i.e. with defined dimensions. The term "at least some of the multiple target areas have different properties" means, in the sense of the present invention, that at least two target areas of the multiple target areas have different properties. Thus, either all target areas present on the object have different properties (i.e. the properties of each target area are different from the properties of each further target area), or some target areas have the same property while the other target area(s) have different properties. The term "property" refers to either a single property or multiple properties.

[0026] The term "applying a coating composition to at least a portion of a plurality of target areas having property X" refers to an application process in which the coating composition is not necessarily applied to every target area having property X and present on the object. Thus, for example, if an object contains eight target areas, including four vertically oriented target areas and four horizontally oriented target areas, the coating composition can be applied to one, two, three, or all four vertically oriented target areas, or to one, two, three, or all four horizontally oriented target areas. However, application of a coating composition to a defined target area or to more than one defined target area does not preclude some portions of adjacent target areas having different properties being unintentionally coated with said coating composition due to the effect of overspray occurring. However, the same coating composition is not intentionally applied to target areas having different properties.

[0027] "Each additional coating composition C provided upon repeating step (a) x The specific leveling properties and / or the specific sagging resistance of the coating composition P1 provided above and each of the further coating compositions C provided above are x The term "different from the specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance of each coating composition P1 provided when performing step (a) or each coating composition C provided when repeating step (a)" is used in the present invention. x means that the two coating compositions have different leveling properties and / or sagging resistance. Thus, step (a) does not encompass providing two coating compositions that have the same leveling properties and / or the same sagging resistance.

[0028] Each coating composition C xto at least a portion of a plurality of target areas having properties different from the properties P1 and each further previously coated target area" refers to an application process in which the same coating composition is not applied to at least two target areas having different properties. Thus, each coating composition having a specific leveling property and / or a specific sag resistance is assigned to a target area or areas having the specific property and is applied only to said target area or areas. Every assigned target area may be coated at once or in several stages.

[0029] The term "particular leveling properties and / or particular sag resistance of a coating composition" refers to leveling properties and / or sag resistance associated with said coating composition, i.e., leveling properties and / or sag resistance resulting from the composition of the coating composition, such as by the presence or absence of a sag control agent (SCA).

[0030] A "hardener component" in the context of the present invention is a material comprising at least one cross-linking component capable of reacting with functional chemical groups present with at least one compound contained in at least one component provided in step (a) of the method of the present invention, such as at least one binder. The reaction of the cross-linking component with the binder present in the at least one component provided in step (a) results in the formation of a network structure upon curing of the applied coating composition.

[0031] "Binder" is, in the context of the present invention and in accordance with DIN EN ISO4618:2007-03, a non-volatile component of the coating composition, not including pigments and fillers. In the following, however, this expression is mainly used in connection with certain physically and / or chemically curable polymers, such as polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethers, polyureas, polyacrylates, polysiloxanes and / or copolymers of the mentioned polymers. The non-volatile fraction is determined in accordance with DIN EN ISO3251:2018-07 at 130°C for 60 minutes using a starting mass of 1.0 g.

[0032] The term "water-based coating composition" as used herein refers to a coating composition comprising a water fraction of at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 25% by weight, very preferably at least 50% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition. The water fraction is preferably 40-60% by weight, more particularly 45-70% by weight, very preferably 50-80% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition. In contrast, the term "solvent-based coating composition" refers to a coating composition comprising a fraction of organic solvent of at least 20% by weight, preferably at least 25% by weight, very preferably at least 45% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition. The fraction of organic solvent is preferably 40-70% by weight, more particularly 45-65% by weight, very preferably 50-60% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the coating composition.

[0033] As used herein, "vertically oriented" refers to a surface that is substantially parallel to the direction of gravity, i.e., at an angle of 90°±45° with respect to the surface of the earth, more preferably at an angle of 90°±30° with respect to the surface of the earth. "Horizontally oriented" refers to a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity, i.e., at an angle of 180°±45° with respect to the surface of the earth, more preferably at an angle of 180°±30° with respect to the surface of the earth.

[0034] The term "drying" of an applied coating composition as used herein refers to the evaporation of solvent from the applied coating composition. Drying can be performed at ambient temperature or by using elevated temperatures. However, drying does not result in a ready-to-use coating film, i.e., a cured coating film, as described below, since the coating film after drying is still soft or tacky. Thus, "curing" of an applied coating composition or a coating film obtained from drying an applied coating composition refers to converting such a composition or film into a ready-to-use state, i.e., into a state in which the object to which the respective coating layer is applied can be transported, stored, and used as intended. More specifically, a cured coating layer is one that is no longer soft or tacky, but is prepared as a solid coating layer whose properties, such as hardness or adhesion to the object, do not further undergo significant changes upon further exposure to curing conditions. Curing can be performed at higher temperatures and / or for longer times than those used for drying the applied coating composition.

[0035] The measurement methods used in the context of the present invention to determine certain characteristic variables can be found in the Examples section. Unless otherwise specified, these measurement methods are used to determine the respective characteristic variables. In the context of the present invention, when reference is made to an official standard without any indication of the valid official period, the reference is implicitly to the version of the standard valid at the filing date, or to the latest version if there is no valid version at that time.

[0036] Any film thickness reported in the context of the present invention should be understood as a dry film thickness. It is therefore in each case the thickness of the cured film. Thus, when a coating material is reported to be applied at a specific film thickness, this means that the coating material is applied to the stated film thickness after curing.

[0037] Any temperature stated in the context of the present invention should be understood as the temperature of the space in which the object or coated object is located, therefore, this does not mean that the object itself is required to have that temperature.

[0038] The method of the present invention: The method of the present invention allows at least two coating compositions with different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance to be applied onto an object including at least two target areas with different properties and preferably with different orientations from each other, so that the same coating composition, i.e., each coating composition with a specific leveling property and / or specific sagging resistance, is assigned to and applied onto a target area with the same properties. This allows the coating composition with a specific leveling property and / or specific sagging resistance to be applied to a target area of ​​the object with matching properties, e.g., orientations matching the specific leveling property and / or specific sagging resistance of each coating composition. Matching the properties of the target area(s) to the leveling property and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition(s) can improve the overall visual appearance of the resulting coated object and reduce material consumption.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the method, the different characteristics include different orientations of the at least two target regions relative to each other. In one example, each target region of the plurality of target regions has different characteristics with respect to other target regions present on the object. In another example, the object includes a plurality of target regions, some of which have the same characteristics while remaining portions of the plurality of target regions have different characteristics.

[0040] Process (a): In step (a) of the method of the present invention, a first coating composition C1 having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance is provided (if step (a) is performed for the first time) or each of the previously provided coating compositions C1 and C2 is provided. xAt least one further coating composition C having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance different from x is provided (if step (a) is repeated at least once - see step (c) below).

[0041] A first coating composition C1 and at least one further coating composition C x can be provided in step (a) in several ways. According to a first embodiment of step (a), a first coating composition C1 and / or at least one further coating composition C x To provide (a-1) at least two components (A) having different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance i ) i=1、…、n and optionally providing at least one hardener component B, (a-2) Component A provided in step (a-1) i Select at least a partial mixing ratio of the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C x achieving specific leveling properties and / or specific sag resistance; (a-3) optionally selecting the mixing ratio(s) of at least one hardener component B provided in step (a-1); and (a-4) Component A i and optionally at least one hardener component B in the mixing ratio selected in step (a-2) and optionally (a-3) to obtain a first coating composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C2 having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance. x A process for providing Includes: The term "(A i ) i=1、…、n " refers to a sequence of components A, e.g. A1, A2, A3, ..., A n where n is the last member of the sequence. The term "component" refers to a single material component or a mixture of at least two material components.

[0042] According to the first embodiment, the coating composition(s) C1 and / or C x Providing the component (A) provided in step (a-1) i ) i=1、…、n This may be preferred when the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the components provided in step (a-1) do not match the different properties of the target areas. This is the case when the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the components provided in step (a-1) are too high / low compared to the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance required to match the properties of the respective target areas, e.g. the orientation of the respective target areas. In order to prepare a coating composition having leveling properties and / or sagging resistance that match the properties of the respective target areas, it is necessary to mix at least some of the components provided in step (a-1).

[0043] In step (a-2), a first coating composition C1 and / or a further coating composition(s) C x The mixing ratio of at least some of the components provided in step (a-1) is selected so that a specific leveling property and / or a specific sagging resistance of is achieved. The specific leveling property and / or the specific sagging resistance can be a predefined leveling property / predefined resistance, for example, the coating compositions C1 and C2. x Each may depend on the orientation of the target area to which it is intended to be applied in step (b).

[0044] Step (a-2) includes the step of applying a first coating composition C1 and / or a further coating composition(s) C x and determining the required specific leveling properties and / or the required specific sagging resistance and selecting the mixing ratio of at least a part of the components provided in step (a-1) to obtain the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C xDetermining the specific leveling characteristics and / or sagging resistance includes determining the orientation of the target area(s) of the object to be coated with the coating composition in step (b) and selecting a mix ratio that provides the specific leveling characteristics and / or sagging resistance appropriate for the determined orientation. In one example, the mix ratio is: i and the orientation of the target region(s) and may be provided in paper or electronic form to a user performing the method. i and the orientation of the target region(s) and may be stored in a database. A processing device having access to the database may then process the determined orientation of the target region(s) and the component A. i Instructions (e.g., composition, ingredient A i Determine the appropriate mix ratio(s) when providing the mixing device with the number of components (e.g., numbers indicating the components of A, B, C, D, E, E, F, E, F, G, H, I, I, M, I, M, L, I, M, L, etc.) and display the determined mix ratio(s) to a user or provide the determined mix ratio to a mixing device and perform a process based on the provided mix ratio(s) and the component A, i The coating composition(s) is / are automatically mixed based on data relating to the

[0045] In one example, the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C x If a higher sagging resistance is required, a higher proportion of the components provided in step (a-1) having a high sagging resistance is selected in step (a-2). In another example, the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C2 are preferably selected from the group consisting of: x When a higher leveling property is required, the component provided in step (a-1) having high sagging resistance is selected in a lower proportion in step (a-2). Thus, by selecting a suitable mixing ratio between the at least two components provided in step (a-1), the resulting coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2 can be obtained. xThe leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition can be adjusted for each property, e.g., orientation of different target areas. This allows the rheological modification of the coating composition to be varied according to the respective needs of the application in step (b), and for example, the rheology of the coating material can be adjusted according to the orientation of the target area(s) to be applied in step (b). By varying the mixing ratio to achieve the desired leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating composition, a large number of coating compositions with defined leveling properties and / or sagging resistance can be obtained by providing only two components in step (a-1), namely a component containing a binder and a component containing a rheology modifier. This allows the number of coating compositions that need to be stored to achieve comparable results in terms of appearance to be reduced, which in turn reduces the need for large storage capacities.

[0046] In one example of the first embodiment of step (a), at least one component A provided in step (a-1) i comprises at least one binder. Particularly preferably, each component (A1, ..., A n ) comprises at least one binder.

[0047] Each provided component A i At least one binder present in the composition is selected from other components A provided n-i may be the same as at least one binder present in each provided component A i At least one binder present in the composition is selected from other components A provided n-i Each component A may be different from the binder(s) present in the composition. i contains at least one identical binder, i.e. each provided component A i However, other components provided A n-i It is advantageous if the binder comprises at least one binder that is identical to the binder(s) present in the component (A1, ..., An ) during mixing, and therefore the compatibility of step (b) or the resulting coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2 is improved. x The occurrence of undesirable incompatibilities that adversely affect the overall appearance of the resulting coating layer resulting from the application of the coating compositions C1 and C2 is reduced. x The binder and total amount are described below in relation to the above.

[0048] The mixing ratio selected in step (a-2) and optional step (a-3) is preferably a volume ratio. i A volume:volume mixing ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1, of the mixture of the hardener component B and at least one hardener component B is selected in step (a-3). If more than one hardener component B is provided in step (a-1), the aforementioned mixing ratios are valid for each hardener component provided in step (a-1). The use of these mixing ratios ensures sufficient curing of the coating composition obtained after application to each target area(s), thus avoiding adverse effects on the overall optical appearance due to insufficient curing of the coating layer formed.

[0049] According to a second alternative of step (a), the first coating composition C1 and / or at least one further coating composition C x The present invention provides a method for preparing a coating composition having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance by mixing at least two coating material components, the coating composition having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance ... x The term "coating material components" refers to compounds commonly used to prepare coating materials, such as solvents, pigments, binders, additives, etc. Particular leveling properties and / or particular sagging resistance can be achieved by the use of coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2. x This can be obtained by using commonly known leveling additives or sag control agents (SCAs) during the preparation of the coating. In one example, the first composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C x at least one base component BC having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance i with at least one hardener component B. At least one base component BCi may be mixed with at least one hardener component B in a volume:volume mix ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1.

[0050] Coating compositions C1 and C x The use of a hardener component B during the preparation of the coating composition is generally optional, and the coating composition may be prepared by adding a base component (i.e., components A1, ..., A2) provided in step (a-1). n ) or base component BC i ) and at least one hardener component B. In the 2K coating composition, the components (A1, ..., A n ) or base component BC i contains binder(s) having functional groups that are not self-reactive or is provided by components (A1, ..., A n ) or base component BC i The amount / type of crosslinker(s) contained in is too little to achieve sufficient crosslinking during curing of the applied coating composition.

[0051] The hardener component B is preferably at least one component A provided in step (a-1). i or at least one base component BC i The polymer comprises at least one crosslinking agent capable of reacting with the functional groups of the compound present in the polymer.

[0052] When the functional group of the binder is active hydrogen, in particular OH, the curing agent can be an aminoplast or a polyisocyanate, with polyisocyanates being preferred. Suitable polyisocyanates include organic polyisocyanates containing free isocyanate groups bound to aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic and / or aromatic groups. It is preferred to use polyisocyanates having 2 to 5 isocyanate groups per molecule and having a viscosity of 100 to 10,000 mPa*s, preferably 100 to 5,000 mPa*s, and in particular 100 to 2,000 mPa*s (at 23°C). Where appropriate, a small amount of organic solvent, preferably 1 to 25% by weight based on the neat polyisocyanate, may be added to the polyisocyanate in order to improve the ease of incorporation of the polyisocyanate and, where appropriate, to reduce the viscosity of the polyisocyanate to a level within the aforementioned range. Examples of suitable solvent additives for polyisocyanates include ethoxyethylpropionate, amyl methyl ketone, and butyl acetate. In addition, polyisocyanates may be subjected to conventional hydrophilic or hydrophobic modifications. Further examples of suitable polyisocyanates include polyisocyanates containing isocyanurate groups, biuret groups, allophanate groups, iminooxadiazinedione groups, urethane groups, urea groups, and / or uretdione groups. Polyisocyanates containing urethane groups can be obtained, for example, by reacting a portion of the isocyanate groups with polyols, such as trimethylolpropane and glycerol.It is preferable to use aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanates, in particular hexamethylene diisocyanate, dimeric and trimerized hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, 2-isocyanatopropylcyclohexylisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane 2,4'-diisocyanate, dicyclohexylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate or 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, diisocyanates derived from dimer fatty acids sold under the name DDI 1410 by Henkel, 1,8-diisocyanato-4-isocyanatomethyloctane, 1,7-diisocyanato-4-isocyanatomethylheptane or 1-isocyanato-2-(3-isocyanatopropyl)cyclohexane or mixtures of these polyisocyanates. If the functional group is an amine, the curing agent can be a polyisocyanate or a polyepoxide or a polyanhydride; if the functional group is a carboxylic acid, the curing agent can be a polyepoxide or a polyanhydride; if the functional group is an epoxy, the curing agent can be a polyacid or a polyamine.

[0053] Preferably, the hardener component B comprises at least one polyisocyanate, preferably at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, very preferably hexamethylene diisocyanate and / or dimerized and / or trimerized hexamethylene diisocyanate.

[0054] Ingredient A i optionally mixed with hardener component(s) B in steps (a-4) and (a-5), or base component BC i with a hardener component B to form a first coating composition C1 and / or a further coating composition(s) C x The preparation of can be carried out in a number of ways known in the art. In one example, each component A i and optionally hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio, the resulting first coating composition C1 and / or the resulting further coating composition C xThe coating composition(s) C1 / C2 are fed to the coating device. x At least one base component BC i with at least one hardener component B, said at least one base component BC i and at least one hardener component B, the resulting first coating composition C1 and / or the resulting further coating composition(s) C x The components (A1, ..., A n The order of mixing components (A1, ..., A) and optionally the hardener component B is not important and can be varied. n After mixing the components (A1, ..., A), the resulting mixture can be mixed with the hardener component B (if applicable), or the components (A1, ..., A n ) are mixed in the first stage, during which the components (A1, ..., A n The remaining portion of C1 and / or C2 can be mixed with the hardener component B in a second step, or vice versa. The mixtures resulting from steps 1 and 2 are then combined. Mixing can be done manually or using commonly known mixing equipment. The reservoir used for mixing can be directly connected to the application equipment or can be used to hold the mixed coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2. x can be filled into respective reservoirs attached to the application device after the mixing operation. Suitable reservoirs include cans, containers suitable for storing the coating composition or a portion thereof and which can be attached to the application device, for example, via a line. Applying the coating composition to the target area of ​​the object after preparation is preferred when steps (b) and (c) are performed sequentially.

[0055] In another example, the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C x are component A i and optionally hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio in an application device. xbut contains at least one base component BC i with at least one hardener component B, said at least one base component BC i is mixed in the coating device with at least one hardener component B. The mixing in the coating device is carried out by mixing the provided components (A 1、 …, A n ), or at least one base component BC i Mixing can be facilitated by attaching respective reservoirs containing component A, component B, and optionally a hardener to the spray device, and mixing the attached components in the atomizer of the spray device by providing the spray device with information regarding the selected mix ratio(s) and components. i or B.C. i This can be facilitated by mixing at least a portion of component A with the hardener component B before feeding the mixture into the application device. In this case, the remaining component A n-i is optionally mixed with hardener component B, or hardener component B is provided to the mixing device by additionally attaching a reservoir containing said remaining components to the application device. Suitable spray devices allowing the attachment of at least two different reservoirs and the mixing of the components present in the at least two attached reservoirs in the sprayer include, for example, the EcoBell3 2X2K available from Duerr. Preparation of the coating composition in the application device avoids the use of a separate mixing device and allows automatic control of the mixing ratio to produce reproducible coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2. x By carrying out the mixing in the application device, the time required for preparation and application of the coating composition is shortened, since steps (a) and (b) can be carried out immediately after each other, and the coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2 can be prepared in a single step. xSince there is only a minimal time gap between the preparation of the coating composition and the application of the prepared coating composition, the overall time required to carry out the method of the present invention is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the time required to clean the application equipment is reduced compared to the use of different coating compositions. Because the same ingredients are used to prepare coating composition(s) C1 and / or C2 with different leveling properties, x This is because cleaning of the coating device is not required.

[0056] The coating compositions C1 and C2 provided in step (a) x : Coating composition C1 provided in step (a) and coating composition C provided during at least one repetition of step (a) x may be a liquid solvent-based coating composition or a water-based coating composition. Preferably, the coating composition C1 provided in step (a) and each further coating composition C provided during at least one repetition of step (a) are x is a liquid solvent-based coating composition. In particular, coating composition C1 obtained in step (a) and coating composition C2 obtained when step (a) is repeated at least once are x is a liquid solvent-based coating composition.

[0057] Coating composition C1 provided in step (a) and each further coating composition C provided during at least one repetition of step (a) xmay be transparent, translucent or opaque. An opaque coating composition is a pigmented coating composition that, when applied to an object, has a light transmittance of less than 4 percent measured at a film thickness of 15 to 18 micrometers using CIE standard illuminant D65 according to ASTM D1003-00 (Procedure A). Suitable opaque coating compositions include basecoat compositions that include a high enough concentration of color pigment and / or effect pigment(s) to achieve the aforementioned light transmittance. In contrast, a translucent coating composition has a light transmittance of at least 4 percent when applied to an object. Thus, a translucent coating composition is neither completely transparent nor opaque. In contrast to a transparent coating composition, a translucent coating composition contains color pigments and / or effect pigments and / or matting agents and is not completely transparent. A translucent coating composition may be a pigmented translucent coating composition, such as a tinted clearcoat composition. A transparent coating composition preferably includes a clearcoat composition.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one provided coating composition has good leveling properties, while at least one further provided coating composition has good sagging resistance. The term "provided coating composition" refers to the provided coating composition C1 and the further coating composition(s) C2 provided during at least one repetition of step (a). x This allows the leveling properties and / or sag resistance of the coating composition to be matched to the orientation of the target area, resulting in a better overall appearance of the coated object.

[0059] binder In one embodiment, each provided coating composition comprises at least one binder. The at least one binder present in each provided coating composition may be identical to the at least one binder present in the other provided coating compositions, or the at least one binder present in each provided coating composition may be different from the binder(s) present in the other provided coating compositions. It is beneficial when each coating composition comprises at least one identical binder, i.e., when each provided coating composition contains at least one binder that is identical to the binder(s) present in the other provided coating compositions. This allows the components (A1, ..., A n ) can be prepared from the above-mentioned compositions without the occurrence of undesirable incompatibilities that adversely affect the overall appearance of the resulting coating layer or the application of the resulting coating composition. Suitable binders include (i) poly(meth)acrylates, more specifically hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional poly(meth)acrylates, (ii) polyurethanes, more specifically hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional polyurethanes, (iii) polyesters, more specifically polyester polyols, (iv) polyethers, more specifically polyether polyols, (v) copolymers of the above polymers, and (vi) mixtures thereof. Particularly preferably, at least one binder is selected from hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates and / or polyesters.

[0060] The hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s) may contain, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer containing at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic and / or cycloaliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4. In the context of the present invention, when the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s) is described as containing components M1-M4 in polymerized form, this means that these particular components are used as starting compounds for the preparation of said hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s). Since the monomers M1-M4 are polymerized via their unsaturated moieties, the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate(s) preferably contain the unsaturated moieties already present in the monomers M1-M4 in the form of CC single bonds, in other words in their corresponding reacted form. Suitable unsaturated monomers containing at least one acid group M1 include (meth)acrylic acid. The at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2 is preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably C1-C 22 From the alkyl (meth)acrylates, even more preferably C1-C 14 Alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as C3 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C5 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C7 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C 13 It may be chosen from alkyl (meth)acrylates, very preferably from butyl (meth)acrylate and / or (meth)acrylic acid esters 13.0. Suitable unsaturated alicyclic monomers M2 include cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates, such as cyclo-C5-C7-alkyl(meth)acrylates, in particular cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate. The at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 may be chosen from styrene. Suitable unsaturated hydroxyl group-containing monomers M4 include hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates, more preferably hydroxy C1-C12 Alkyl group-containing (meth)acrylates such as 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyisopropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyisobutyl (meth)acrylate and 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, especially 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate.

[0061] Hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylates can be prepared in organic solvents by polymerizing the aforementioned unsaturated monomers M1 to M4 in the presence of a free radical initiator. The free radical initiator can be selected from t-amyl peroxy compounds such as 1,1-di(t-amylperoxy)cyclohexane, t-amyl peroxy esters such as t-amyl peroxy, ethyl-3,3-di(t-amylperoxy)butyrate and t-amyl peroxy acetate, other peroxides such as di-t-butyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide and t-butyl perbenzoate, and azo compounds such as 2,2'-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile). The amount of free radical initiator used varies from about 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably from 1 to 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the monomers M1 to M4.

[0062] In some embodiments, at least one binder is a polyester. Suitable polyesters can be prepared by reacting polyfunctional acid or anhydride compounds, or mixtures of monofunctional and polyfunctional acid or anhydride compounds, with polyfunctional alcohols. Typical acid compounds include alkyl, alkylene, aralkylene, and aromatic monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and anhydrides, although acids or anhydrides with higher functionality may also be used. When trifunctional or higher functionality compounds are used, they can be used in mixtures with monofunctional carboxylic acids or monocarboxylic anhydrides, such as versatic acid, fatty acids, and neodecanoic acid. Examples of acid or anhydride functional compounds suitable for forming polyester groups or anhydrides of such compounds include phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, hexahydrophthalic acid, tetrachlorophthalic anhydride, hexahydrophthalic anhydride, pyromellitic anhydride, succinic acid, azelaic acid, adipic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, citric acid, and trimellitic anhydride. The polyol component used in the preparation of the polyester has a hydroxyl functionality of at least 2. The polyol component may contain monofunctional, difunctional, trifunctional, and higher functionality alcohols. Diols are typical polyol components. If some branching of the polyester is desired, alcohols with higher functionality may be used, and mixtures of diols and triols can be used as the polyol component. However, in some cases, highly branched polyesters are undesirable due to their effect on the coating, such as reduced flowability, and undesirable effects on the cured film, such as reduced chip resistance and smoothness. Examples of useful polyols include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, glycerin, trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, pentaerythritol, neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, and ethoxylated bisphenols. Methods for making polyesters are well known. Polyesters are typically formed by heating polyols and polyfunctional acid components together, with or without catalysis, to complete the reaction while removing the by-product water. A small amount of a solvent, such as toluene, may be added to azeotropically remove the water.

[0063] The at least one binder is preferably present in each provided coating composition in a total amount of 10 to 70% by weight, preferably 20 to 60% by weight, more preferably 25 to 55% by weight, very preferably 30 to 45% by weight, relative to the total weight of the provided coating composition in each case. If more than one binder is present, such as in the case of a mixture of hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates and polyesters, the aforementioned amounts refer to the total amount of binders present in the respective provided coating composition and thus to the sum of the amounts of hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate and polyester(s).

[0064] Sag Control Agent (SCA): The particular leveling properties and / or the particular sag resistance of the provided coating compositions are achieved by the presence of at least one sag control agent (SCA) in at least one of the provided coating compositions. The use of the sag control agent (SCA) can adjust the thixotropic rheological behavior of the provided coating compositions. The SCA influences the sag leveling properties of the coating compositions because the SCA particles tend to form loose interpenetrating networks at low shear stresses by controlled flocculation. At high shear stresses (e.g., during spraying of the coating composition), the SCA network is destroyed, and the effect of SCA addition on high shear viscosity is nearly zero, since SCA is typically used at low concentrations. After application, the wet coating composition is subjected to low (gravitational) shear stresses. Under such low shear conditions, the SCA network is built up and the viscosity increases. This shear thinning behavior of the SCA-modified coating composition is beneficial because it enhances the sag resistance of the paint. Since the rate of formation of the SCA network is relatively slow, the SCA-modified coating composition is often thixotropic. Thus, the provided coating composition(s) containing a higher amount of SCA have better sagging resistance than the provided coating composition(s) containing a lower amount of SCA or no SCA (i.e., a total amount of SCA less than 1% by weight, preferably 0% by weight, relative to the total weight of the coating composition). However, the provided coating composition(s) containing a lower amount of SCA or no SCA have better leveling properties. Thus, the addition of SCA is used to adjust the sagging resistance and / or leveling properties of each provided coating composition to achieve a coating composition with specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance that differ from the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the other provided coating compositions. This allows the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance to be adjusted, thus matching these properties to those of the target area, before the respective coating composition is applied in step (b).

[0065] SCA are typically anisotropic colloidal particles formed by crystallization of urea molecules. The urea molecules can be obtained by reacting an isocyanate compound with a primary or secondary amine, optionally in the presence of a resin, such as a (meth)acrylate resin. The isocyanate compound can be an isocyanate-functional polymer, such as an isocyanate-functional (meth)acrylic polymer, or a commonly known polyisocyanate. The reaction between the isocyanate compound and the primary or secondary amine may generally be carried out by combining the reaction components in any selected manner, optionally in the presence of a resin. The reaction may be carried out at a temperature in the range of 20 to 120°C, more specifically in the range of 25 to 95°C. Typically, the primary or secondary amine is added directly to the isocyanate compound at the desired reaction temperature, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, such as a tin compound. The reaction proceeds until the isocyanate is completely consumed. When the reaction is carried out in the presence of a resin, the isocyanate compound and the primary or secondary amine are added to the resin either together or sequentially.

[0066] In the present invention, it is preferred if the sag control agent (SCA) is selected from polymeric sag control agents. The term "polymeric sag control agent" refers to an SCA obtained by reacting an isocyanate-functional polymer with a primary or secondary amine, or by reacting a polyisocyanate with a primary or secondary amine in the presence of at least one resin. Thus, the term "polymeric sag control agent" does not encompass an SCA prepared by reacting a polyisocyanate with an amine.

[0067] Polymeric sag control agents (SCAs) are obtained by reacting a primary or secondary amine with an isocyanate compound in the presence of a hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate. Suitable polyisocyanates that can be used to form the SCA include blocked or unblocked aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic, aromatic di-, tri-, polyisocyanates or combinations thereof. Examples of suitable polyisocyanates include 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,2,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diisocyanate, 2,4,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diisocyanate, cyclohexyl-1,4-diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, an adduct of one molecule of 1,4-butanediol and two molecules of isophorone diisocyanate, an adduct of one molecule of 1,4-butanediol and hexamethylene diisocyanate, and an adduct of one molecule of 1,4-butanediol and hexamethylene diisocyanate. These include adducts of two diisocyanates, dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, xylylene diisocyanate, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4-bis(isocyanatomethyl)benzene, toluene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, and toluene diisocyanate. Also suitable are isocyanurate trimers of diisocyanates. In some embodiments, aliphatic polyisocyanates are used, such as hexamethylene diisocyanate. Examples of primary amines include benzylamine, ethylamine, n-propylamine, secpropylamine, n-butylamine, sec.butylamine, tert.butylamine, n-pentylamine, alpha-methylbutylamine, alpha-ethylpropylamine, beta-ethylbutamine, hexylamine, octylamine, decylamine, stearylamine, cyclohexylamine, aniline and hexamethylenediamine. Examples of suitable secondary amines include dibutylamine, diethylamine, diisopropylamine, diethanolamine and diisopropanolamine. These amines generally contain up to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably 1 to 18 carbon atoms. Also relevant are amines containing one or more primary or secondary amino groups and one or more ether groups and / or hydroxyl groups. For example, ethanolamine, 6-aminohexanol, p-methoxybenzylamine, methoxypropylamine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl-ethylamine, 2,5-dimethoxyaniline, furfurylamine, tetrahydrofurfurylamine can be used. Mixtures of the above mentioned amines can also be used. In some embodiments, aromatic primary amines are used, such as benzylamine.

[0068] Suitable hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates contain, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer containing at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4. Suitable unsaturated monomers containing at least one acid group M1 include (meth)acrylic acid. The at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2 is preferably selected from the group consisting of alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably C1-C 22 From the alkyl (meth)acrylates, even more preferably C1-C 14Alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as C3 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C5 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C7 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C 13 It can be selected from alkyl (meth)acrylates. The at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 may be chosen from styrene. Suitable unsaturated hydroxyl group-containing monomers M4 include hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates, such as C1-C ... 12 Alkyl group-containing (meth)acrylates are included. Particularly preferably, the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate contains, in polymerized form, (meth)acrylic acid, butyl (meth)acrylate and / or (meth)acrylic acid ester 13.0, styrene and 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate.

[0069] Suitable weight ratios of monomers M1:M2:M3:M4 include from 1:50:50:30 to 1:30:20:10.

[0070] The hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates can be prepared by radical-free polymerization of monomers M1-M4 as described above for the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate binders.

[0071] The polymeric sag control agents (SCAs) have an average molecular weight M of 3,000 to 50,000 g / mol, preferably 4,000 to 30,000 g / mol, very preferably 5,000 to 15,000 g / mol, as determined by GPC using polystyrene as an internal standard. w has.

[0072] The viscosity of the sag control agent may be in the range of 500-4,000 mPa*s, preferably 700-3,000 mPa*s, very preferably 1,000-2,500 mPa*s (25° C., 10 / s, Z3) (DIN ISO 2884-1:2006-09).

[0073] The hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate used in the preparation of the polymeric sag control agent is preferably also present in the provided coating composition(s) that does not contain a polymeric sag control agent or that contains a lower amount of the polymeric sag agent compared to the provided coating composition(s) that contains a higher amount of the polymeric sag agent. This allows the provided coating composition to be treated as a composite of components (A1, ..., A n ) without any incompatibilities occurring during application of the coating composition that could lead to clogging of application equipment or that could degrade the optical quality of the resulting coating layer.

[0074] Preferably, sag control agents (SCAs), in particular polymeric sag control agents, are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 40% by weight, preferably 2 to 30% by weight, more preferably 3 to 20% by weight, very preferably 4 to 15% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the respective provided coating composition. Depending on the amount of SCA in the respective provided coating composition, the respective coating composition has either good leveling properties (low or no SCA) or good sag resistance (high amounts of SCA present), as described above.

[0075] Further additives other than SCA: Apart from the SCA, at least one of the provided coating compositions may further comprise at least one additive different from the sag control agent (SCA). In one example, any of the provided coating compositions further comprises at least one additive, in particular a similar additive or additives, as described above, which allows the provided coating composition to be made up of components (A1, ..., A n) without any incompatibilities arising during preparation of the provided coating compositions. In another example, only a part of the provided coating compositions contains the further additive(s), while another part of the provided coating compositions does not contain said additive (i.e., contains 0% by weight of the further additive, relative to the total weight of the respective coating composition). This is preferred, for example, when the provided coating composition(s) having good leveling properties consists of a hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate used to prepare an SCA, while the provided coating composition(s) having good sag resistance contains a binder, such as the aforementioned hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acylate, an SCA and further additive(s).

[0076] Suitable additives different from sag control additives include crosslinkers, light stabilizers, levelling agents, UV absorbers, pigments, free radical scavengers, slip additives, polymerisation inhibitors, defoamers, wetting agents, adhesion promoters, flow control agents, film forming aids such as cellulose derivatives, fillers, rheology control additives, flame retardants and / or water scavengers, especially crosslinkers, light stabilizers and levelling agents.

[0077] Suitable leveling agents include silicon-containing leveling agents, such as those having the following structural formula:

[0078] [ka]

[0079] (In the formula, R represents hydrogen, an alkyl residue, an alkylaryl residue, a glycol residue, a hydroxy group, a hydroxyalkyl residue, an amino group or an aminoalkyl residue, and n and m are each a positive integer. The silicone-containing leveling agent has the formula: Representative silicone-containing leveling agents include dimethylpolysiloxane (where R=H) and modified silicone leveling agents where R is alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, etc., alkylaryl, such as methylaryl, ethylaryl, etc., glycol residues, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, such as hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, and amino.

[0080] In a preferred embodiment, the coating compositions provided only differ in the amount and / or type of leveling agent(s) and / or sag control agent(s) (SCA) and / or solvent(s). At least one solvent may be used to compensate for the absence of SCA in the coating composition(s) containing a lower amount of SCA than in the coating composition(s) containing no SCA or a higher amount of SCA. In the case of a solvent-based coating composition, the at least one solvent may be an organic solvent commonly used in solvent-based coating compositions, such as solvent naphtha. In one example of this preferred embodiment, exactly two coating compositions are provided, where one of the two provided coating compositions contains SCA and the other does not contain SCA and contains an additional amount of solvent to compensate for the absence of SCA. Both coating compositions contain leveling agent(s).

[0081] Process (b): In step (b) of the method of the present invention, the first coating composition C1 provided in step (a) is applied to at least a portion of a plurality of target areas having a first property P1. A preferred property P1 is the orientation of the target areas. The orientation includes vertical or horizontal.

[0082] The application of the coating composition C1 in step (b) can be carried out using any type of application equipment known for applying coating compositions to objects, including, for example, dip coating equipment, bar coating equipment, spray equipment, rolling equipment, etc. Particularly preferably, step (b) is carried out using a spray application equipment. Suitable spray application equipment includes compressed air spray equipment (pneumatic spray equipment), airless spray equipment, high-speed rotary equipment or electrostatic spray application equipment (ESTA), optionally related to hot spray, such as hot air spray equipment.

[0083] Coating composition C1 may be applied to every target area having first property P1, or only to a portion of the target area having property P1. Preferably, coating composition C1 is applied to every target area having property P1. This avoids replacement of coating composition during application, thereby reducing cleaning time and material consumption.

[0084] Particularly preferably, the coating composition C1 with high leveling properties is applied to the horizontally oriented areas, while the coating composition C1 with high sagging resistance is applied to the vertically oriented areas, thereby achieving an overall high quality of the final coating, since a coating composition with leveling properties and / or sagging resistance tailored to the object orientation is applied, thereby improving the leveling of the applied coating composition or reducing or mitigating the amount of film defects due to the occurrence of sagging.

[0085] The coating composition C1 is applied so that the coating layer after curing in step (d) has a dry film thickness of, for example, 15 to 80 micrometers, preferably 20 to 65 micrometers, particularly preferably 25 to 60 micrometers.

[0086] The method of the present invention is suitable for coating a variety of metallic and non-metallic objects in either a batch or continuous process, where the object remains stationary during each step of the process, or in a continuous process, where the object moves continuously along the coating line in assembly line fashion.

[0087] Suitable objects to be coated by the method of the present invention include (i) uncoated metal objects, or metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat layer and / or a cured filler layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, (ii) plastic objects, optionally coated with a cured primer layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, and (iii) objects containing metal and plastic parts and optionally coated with a cured electrocoat layer and / or a cured filler layer and / or a cured primer surfacer layer and / or a cured primer layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, preferably metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat layer and / or a cured filler layer and / or a non-cured basecoat layer, very preferably metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat layer and a non-cured basecoat layer. The objects preferably include regions with different orientations relative to each other, for example vertically oriented regions and horizontally oriented regions.

[0088] Suitable metal objects include or are selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, zinc and magnesium objects, and objects made of alloys of steel, iron, aluminum, copper, zinc and magnesium.

[0089] The coated and uncoated metal objects can be pretreated in a manner known per se, i.e., for example, cleaned and / or provided with a known conversion coating. Cleaning can be carried out mechanically, for example by wiping, grinding and / or polishing, and / or chemically by etching methods, for example by surface etching in an acid or alkaline bath using hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, or by cleaning with organic solvents or aqueous detergents. Pretreatment by conversion treatment, in particular phosphating and / or chromating, preferably phosphating, can also be carried out. Preferably, the metal objects are at least conversion treated, in particular phosphating, preferably zinc phosphating.

[0090] Metal objects coated with a cured electrocoat are produced by electrophoretically applying an electrocoat material to the object and then curing the applied electrocoat material. The electrocoat material is a cathodic or anodic electrocoat material, preferably a cathodic electrocoat material. The electrocoat material is an aqueous coating material that contains an anionic or cationic polymer as a binder. These polymers are potentially anionic, i.e. contain functional groups that can be converted to anionic groups, for example carboxylic acid groups, or potentially cationic, i.e. contain functional groups that can be converted to cationic groups, for example amino groups. The conversion to charged groups is generally achieved by the use of suitable neutralizing agents (organic amines (anionic), organic carboxylic acids, e.g. formic acid (cationic). The electrodeposition coating materials generally contain typical anticorrosive pigments. Cathodic electrodeposition coating materials which are preferred in the context of the present invention preferably contain cationic polymers as binders, in particular hydroxy-functional polyetheramines which preferably have aromatic structural units. These polymers are used in particular in combination with blocked polyisocyanates which are known per se. The application of the electrodeposition coating materials proceeds by electrophoresis. For this purpose, the metal workpiece to be coated is first immersed in an immersion bath which contains the coating material and a direct electric field is applied between the metal workpiece and the counterelectrode. In this way the workpiece is The pieces act as electrodes, and the non-volatile constituents of the electrocoating material migrate to the object through the electric field due to the described charge of the polymer used as binder and are deposited on the object to form an electrocoating film. For example, in the case of cathodic electrocoating, the object is thus connected as a cathode, and the hydroxide ions formed there by the electrolysis of water neutralize the cationic binder and are deposited on the object to form an electrocoating layer. After electrolytic application of the electrocoating material, the coated object is removed from the bath, optionally rinsed, for example with an aqueous rinse, then optionally flashed off and / or intermediately dried and finally cured. The dry film thickness of the cured electrocoating is, for example, 10 to 40 micrometers, preferably 15 to 25 micrometers.

[0091] Metal objects coated with a cured filler layer are produced by applying a filler coating composition to the object, optionally flashing off and / or intermediate drying the applied composition, and finally curing the composition. Suitable filler coating compositions are known in the art. The dry film thickness of the cured filler layer is, for example, 10 to 40 micrometers, preferably 25 to 30 micrometers.

[0092] Metal objects coated with an uncured basecoat layer are produced by applying at least one basecoat composition to an object to be optionally coated with at least one cured or uncured coating layer, and optionally flashing off and / or intermediate drying said applied basecoat composition. The dry film thickness of the cured basecoat layer is, for example, 5 to 40 micrometers, preferably 10 to 30 micrometers.

[0093] Preferred plastic objects are essentially objects that comprise or consist of (i) polar plastics, such as polycarbonates, polyamides, polystyrene, styrene copolymers, polyesters, polyphenylene oxides and blends of these plastics, (ii) synthetic resins, such as polyurethanes RIM, SMC, BMC, and (iii) polyolefin objects of the polyethylene and polypropylene type with a high rubber content, such as PP-EPDM, and surface-activated polyolefin objects. Plastics may furthermore be fiber-reinforced, in particular with carbon and / or metal fibers.

[0094] Preferably, the objects to be coated by the method of the present invention are used as components for manufacturing vehicles, preferably automobiles, including but not limited to cars, trucks, and tractors. The objects can have any shape, but are typically in the form of automobile body components, such as bodies, hoods, doors, fenders, bumpers, and / or trim for automobiles. The present invention is most useful in the context of coating automobile bodies and their components as they move continuously along an automobile assembly line.

[0095] Process (c): In step (c) of the method of the present invention, steps (a) and (b) are repeated at least once under the following conditions: - each further coating composition C provided when repeating step (a) x The specific leveling properties and / or the specific sagging resistance of the coating composition P1 provided above and each of the further coating compositions C provided above are x Specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance differ from those of - each coating composition C x is applied to at least a portion of a plurality of target areas having properties different from the properties of P1 and each further previously coated target area in repeating step (b).

[0096] Thus, when step (a) is repeated, at least one further coating composition C is provided. x is a first coating composition C1 and any further coating compositions C1 provided above x Further coating compositions C have different specific leveling properties and / or different specific sagging resistance. x can be provided as described for the first coating composition C1. Different specific leveling properties and / or different specific sag resistance can be obtained by using different amounts of leveling additives and / or sag control agents (SCAs), as described above for the first coating composition C1.

[0097] In order to achieve a higher quality in terms of the overall appearance of the resulting coated object by applying a coating composition having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance to a target area having properties, e.g. a matching orientation, that match said leveling properties and / or said sagging resistance, it is essential that each of the coating compositions provided in repeating step (a) has specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance that differ from the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the other coating compositions previously provided.

[0098] At least one further coating composition C is provided x is applied to the object by repeating step (b). However, at least one further coating composition C x is applied to a target area having properties different from the properties of P1 and each further previously coated target area. Thus, each coating composition C x is the coating composition C1 or any previously prepared and applied coating composition C x At least one further coating composition C is not applied to a target area having the same characteristics as the target area previously coated with at least one further coating composition C. x The application of the first coating composition C1 can be carried out as described above for the application of the first coating composition C1.

[0099] Further coating compositions C x It is essential that the further coating composition C is applied to a target area that has different properties than the previously coated target area. x is the coating composition C provided above. x Because it has different specific leveling properties and / or different specific sagging resistance from coating composition C. x with the first coating composition C1 or the previously provided coating composition C xWhen applied to a target area having the same properties as a previously coated target area, the target area will be coated with a coating composition having leveling properties and / or sag resistance that do not match or only partially match the properties of the target area(s), resulting in a lower quality overall optical appearance compared to when the leveling properties and / or sag resistance completely match those of the target area(s).

[0100] The order of repeating step (b) and step (a) is not important and can be reversed. In one example, steps (a) and (b) are performed, followed by repeating steps (a) and (b) at least once. In another example, step (b) is performed after repeating step (a) at least once, i.e., after providing at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance, the provided compositions are applied to the target area in step (b) and during at least one repetition of step (b).

[0101] Optional step (d): In step (d) of the method of the present invention, steps (a) and (b) may be repeated, except that in the previous step (b) coating compositions C1 and C2 x The remaining target area is coated with coating compositions C1 and C2 having the same characteristics as the target area to which the coating compositions C1 and C2 were applied. x This step is generally optional and may be applied if at least a portion of the target area having specific properties is coated with the first coating composition C1 in step (b) or when step (b) is repeated at least once with at least one further coating composition C2. x This should only be done if the material is coated with

[0102] Process (e): The method of the present invention may further comprise a step (e) of curing, or drying and curing, the applied coating composition(s). The curing, or drying and curing, may occur after every coating composition has been applied to every target area, or may occur after each coating composition has been applied to at least a portion of a target area. Performing step (e) after every coating composition has been applied to every target area is more energy efficient since only one curing operation, which requires high temperatures, is performed.

[0103] Drying can be carried out at 15-35° C. for 10-30 minutes. Curing is preferably carried out at temperatures between 80 and 250° C., preferably between 80 and 180° C., for 5-60 minutes, preferably between 10 and 45 minutes. Curing conditions of this kind apply in particular when the coating composition(s) is / are based on a thermosetting 2K coating composition(s), since these conditions are necessary to achieve the curing of such 2K coating composition(s).

[0104] The method of the present invention allows the leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of the coating layer to be matched to the properties of the respective target area, e.g. the orientation of the target area(s) to be coated with the respective coating composition. This allows a higher overall optical quality to be achieved than using a coating layer with balanced leveling properties and sagging resistance, since leveling properties and sagging resistance are mutually exclusive properties that cannot be adjusted without adversely affecting each other. In principle, a coating layer with suitable leveling properties or suitable sagging resistance can be obtained by mixing only two components A1 and A2, e.g. a component with no SCA and high leveling properties and a component with a high amount of SCA and high sagging resistance, in a suitable mixing ratio, in this way a coating composition with the required properties can be obtained from a minimum number of components. This allows a reduction in the number of coating compositions that need to be stored or installed in the application device, thus reducing the overall costs associated with the method of the present invention.

[0105] Use of the present invention: A further subject of the invention is the use of the method according to the invention for coating target areas of an object which have different orientations relative to one another.

[0106] Use of the methods of the present invention, as described above, results in a higher overall optical quality of the coated object because a coating composition with suitable leveling properties and / or suitable sag resistance can be applied to a target area with an orientation that is consistent with the leveling properties and / or sag resistance of the coating composition.

[0107] What has been said regarding the method according to the invention also applies mutatis mutandis with regard to the further preferred embodiments of the use according to the invention.

[0108] The system of the present invention: A further subject of the present invention is a system for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising a plurality of two target areas, at least some of which have the different properties.

[0109] The system includes a coating device including a nozzle, a storage device for storing coating instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions, one or more data processors configured to execute the coating instructions and, optionally, the mixing ratio instructions to control the coating device, and at least two components (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally at least one hardener component B or at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n and at least two reservoirs in fluid communication with an application device comprising: i Each coating composition C has different leveling and / or sagging properties. i As described above with respect to step (a) of the method of the present invention, component A has specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging properties. i At least a portion of the binder component B is already mixed with the reservoir. i and Binder B.

[0110] In one embodiment of the system, the application device comprises i and / or B from a reservoir, and i and / or B are mixed in the nozzle based on the mixing ratio instruction. The resulting coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n is discharged through a nozzle onto at least two target coating areas having different characteristics based on a coating command, and each coating composition C iAt least a portion of the coating composition is not dispensed onto the target area having the same properties. This embodiment is preferred when the coating composition dispensed onto the target area needs to be produced from at least two different components having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance, and a separate mixing step outside the application device needs to be avoided.

[0111] In an alternative embodiment of the system, the application device comprises at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from the reservoir and a coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through a nozzle. i and dispensing at least two target areas having different properties such that at least a portion of the coating composition is not dispensed onto the same target area(s) of the object to form at least two coating layers. This embodiment is preferred when a coating composition is used that already has the required leveling and / or sag resistance properties (to match) the properties of each of the target areas(s).

[0112] In both embodiments, the same coating composition is not dispensed onto target areas with different properties, i.e., a coating composition with defined leveling properties and / or defined sag resistance is dispensed only onto target areas with the same properties and not onto target areas with different properties, thereby allowing a coating composition with a particular leveling property and / or a particular sag resistance to be dispensed onto a target area(s) with properties, e.g., orientation, that match said particular leveling property and / or sag resistance.

[0113] Suitable application devices include the spray application devices described above in relation to step (b) of the method of the present invention.

[0114] The term "storage device" refers to physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media can be any available media accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media includes physical storage media for storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Physical storage media includes computer hardware such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, solid-state drive ("SSD"), flash memory, phase-change memory ("PCM"), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or other hardware storage device(s) that can be used to store (preserve) program code in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures that can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system to perform the disclosed functions of the present invention. The storage device stores application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions. The instructions are computer-executable instructions that enable a computer processor to control the mixing and dispensing process performed by the application device.

[0115] One or more computer processors may be present in the computing system. The computing system may further include a storage device as described above. The term "processor" refers to any logic circuitry configured to perform basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally to a device configured to perform calculations or logical operations. In particular, the processing means, or computer processor, may be configured to process basic instructions that run the computer or system. By way of example, the processing means, or computer processor, may include at least one arithmetic logic unit ("ALU"), at least one floating point unit ("FPU"), e.g. a mathematical or numeric coprocessor, a number of registers, in particular registers configured to supply operands to the ALU and to store results of operations, and memory, such as L1 and L2 cache memories. In particular, the processing means, or computer processor, may be a multi-core processor. In particular, the processing means, or computer processor, may be or include a central processing unit ("CPU"). The processing means or computer processor may be a graphics processing unit ("GPU"), a tensor processing unit ("TPU"), a complex instruction set computing ("CISC") microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing ("RISC") microprocessor, a very long instruction word ("VLIW") microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets, or a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets. The processing means may also be one or more special purpose processing devices, such as an application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), a field programmable gate array ("FPGA"), a complex programmable logic device ("CPLD"), a digital signal processor ("DSP"), a network processor, or the like. The methods, systems, and devices described herein may be implemented as software within a DSP, a microcontroller, or other side processor, or as hardware circuitry within an ASIC, CPLD, or FPGA.It should be understood that the term processing means or processor can also refer to one or more processing devices, such as a distributed system of processing devices located across multiple computer systems (e.g., cloud computing), and is not limited to a single device unless otherwise specified. The terms "processor" and "computer processor" are used interchangeably herein. The processor is configured to execute application instructions and, optionally, mix ratio instructions, and to control the application device upon execution of said instructions.

[0116] The reservoirs may be any container suitable for containing the coating composition or a portion thereof and capable of being connected to an application device such that the application device can receive the components present in the respective reservoirs. The connection between the reservoirs and the application device may be facilitated using lines.

[0117] In an embodiment, the one or more data processors further comprise: - receiving, by one or more data processors, target image data of the object, the target image data including a plurality of target regions; - generating application instructions based on the received image data; The coating instruction is generated by

[0118] Target image data of the object may be provided to the data processor from a storage device, e.g., a database. Retrieval of the data may be performed by inputting data indicative of the object, e.g., a vehicle identification number, a unique ID, etc., and retrieving the data based on the input data. In one example, the target image data may be an image of the object. In another example, the target image data may be CAD data of the object. Application instructions may be generated by generating application instructions based on characteristics of the target area and the determined characteristics. Determination of the characteristics may be performed based on instructions present in the provided target image data.

[0119] 1. A method for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of which have different properties, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a first coating composition C1 having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging, (b) applying the first coating composition C1 provided in step (a) to at least a portion of the plurality of target areas having a first property P1; and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) at least once, - each further coating composition C provided when repeating step (a) x The specific leveling properties and / or the specific sagging resistance of the coating composition P1 provided above and each of the further coating compositions C provided above are x Specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance differ from those of - each coating composition C x is applied to at least a portion of a plurality of target areas having properties different from the properties of P1 and each further previously coated target area when step (b) is repeated. process A method comprising:

[0120] 2. In step (a), (a-1) at least two components (A) having different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance i ) i=1、…、n and optionally providing at least one hardener component B, (a-2) Component A provided in step (a-1) i To select at least a part of the mixing ratio(s) of the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C x achieving specific leveling properties and / or specific sag resistance; (a-3) optionally selecting the mixing ratio(s) of at least one hardener component B provided in step (a-1); and (a-4) Component A i and optionally at least one hardener component B in the mixing ratio(s) selected in steps (a-2) and optionally (a-3) to produce a coating composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C2 having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance. x A process for providing 2. The method according to embodiment 1, comprising:

[0121] 3. In step (a-2), a first coating composition C1 and / or a further coating composition(s) C x and determining the required specific leveling properties and / or sagging resistance of at least some of the components provided in step (a-1) to obtain a first coating composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C2. x The method according to embodiment 2, comprising achieving certain leveling properties and / or certain sagging resistance.

[0122] 4. Coating composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C x If a higher sagging resistance is required, the components provided in step (a-1) and having a high sagging resistance are selected in a higher proportion in step (a-2) or the first coating composition C1 and / or the further coating composition(s) C2 are / are selected in a higher proportion. x The method according to embodiment 3, wherein if higher leveling properties are required, the component provided in step (a-1) and having high sagging resistance is selected in lower proportions in step (a-2).

[0123] 5. At least one component A provided in step (a-1) i In particular, each component (A1, ..., A n5. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 4, wherein said at least one binder is included.

[0124] 6. Each component A provided in step (a-1) i contains at least one binder that is identical to at least one binder present in another provided component, or each component A provided in step (a-1) i The method according to embodiment 5, wherein said binder comprises a binder or binders different from the binder or binders present in the other provided components.

[0125] 7. The mixing ratio selected in step (a-2) and optional step (a-3) is a volume ratio, and component A i The process according to any one of embodiments 2 to 6, wherein a volume:volume mix ratio of the mixture of component A and the at least one hardener component B is selected in step (a-3) from 8:1 to 1:1, preferably from 4:1 to 1:1.

[0126] 8. In step (a), a first coating composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C2 having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance are prepared by mixing at least two coating material components. x 2. The method according to embodiment 1, comprising preparing

[0127] 9. First composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C x at least one base component BC having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance i with at least one hardener component B, respectively.

[0128] 10. Base component BC i with at least one hardener component B, a volume:volume mix ratio of 8:1 to 1:1, preferably 4:1 to 1:1, is used.

[0129] 11. At least one hardener component B is prepared by mixing at least one component A provided in step (a-1). i or base component BC i 11. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 10, comprising at least one cross-linking agent capable of reacting with a functional group of a compound present in

[0130] 12. The process according to any one of embodiments 2 to 11, wherein the at least one hardener component B comprises at least one polyisocyanate, preferably at least one aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyisocyanate, very preferably hexamethylene diisocyanate and / or dimerized and / or trimerized hexamethylene diisocyanate.

[0131] 13. Component A i and optionally hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio, the resulting first coating composition C1 and / or the resulting further coating composition C x and / or at least one base component BC i and at least one hardener component B, the resulting first coating composition C1 and / or the resulting further coating composition(s) C x 13. The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 12, wherein the coating material is supplied to the coating device.

[0132] 14. First coating composition C1 and / or further coating composition(s) C x But, component A i and optionally a hardener component(s) B in a selected mixing ratio in an application device, and / or at least one base component BC i The method according to any one of embodiments 2 to 12, wherein the at least one hardener component B is mixed with the at least one hardener component B in an application device.

[0133] 15. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the different characteristics include different orientations of the at least two target regions relative to one another.

[0134] 16. The first coating composition C1 and each further coating composition C x is a liquid solvent-based or water-based coating composition, preferably a liquid solvent-based coating composition, in particular a liquid solvent-based coating composition.

[0135] 17. The first coating composition P1 and each further coating composition C provided x is transparent, translucent or opaque.

[0136] 18. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one provided coating composition has good leveling properties and at least one further provided coating composition has high sag resistance.

[0137] 19. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein each provided coating composition comprises at least one binder, said at least one binder being the same as at least one binder present in the other provided coating compositions, or wherein each provided coating composition comprises at least one binder that is different from the binder(s) present in the other provided coating compositions.

[0138] 20. The process according to embodiment 5 or 19, wherein the at least one binder is selected from (i) poly(meth)acrylates, more specifically hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional poly(meth)acrylates, (ii) polyurethanes, more specifically hydroxy- and / or carboxylate- and / or amine-functional polyurethanes, (iii) polyesters, more specifically polyester polyols, (iv) polyethers, more specifically polyether polyols, (v) copolymers of the above polymers, and (vi) mixtures thereof, in particular from hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylates and / or polyesters.

[0139] 21. The process according to embodiment 20, wherein the hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylate contains, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer comprising at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic and / or cycloaliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4.

[0140] 22. The process according to embodiment 21, wherein the at least one unsaturated monomer comprising at least one acid group M1 is selected from (meth)acrylic acid.

[0141] 23. At least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2 is selected from alkyl (meth)acrylates, more preferably C1-C 22 From the alkyl (meth)acrylates, even more preferably C1-C 14 Alkyl (meth)acrylates, such as C3 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C5 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C6 alkyl (meth)acrylate, C7 alkyl (meth)acrylate and C 13 The process according to embodiment 21 or 22, wherein the alkyl (meth)acrylate is selected from alkyl (meth)acrylates, very preferably from butyl (meth)acrylate and / or (meth)acrylic acid esters 13.0.

[0142] 24. The process according to any one of embodiments 21 to 23, wherein the at least one unsaturated alicyclic monomer M2 is selected from cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates, preferably from cyclo-C5-C7-alkyl(meth)acrylates, in particular from cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate.

[0143] 25. The process according to any one of embodiments 21 to 24, wherein at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 is selected from styrene.

[0144] 26. At least one unsaturated hydroxyl group-containing monomer M4 is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylates, more preferably hydroxy C1-C 12 The process according to any one of embodiments 21 to 25, wherein the alkyl group-containing (meth)acrylate is selected from 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyisopropyl (meth)acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate, hydroxyisobutyl (meth)acrylate and 4-hydroxybutyl (meth)acrylate, and very preferably from 2-hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and 3-hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate.

[0145] 27. The method according to any one of embodiments 18 to 26, wherein the at least one binder is present in each provided coating composition in a total amount of 10 to 70% by weight, preferably 20 to 60% by weight, more preferably 25 to 55% by weight, very preferably 30 to 45% by weight, relative to the total weight of the provided coating composition in each case.

[0146] 28. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the particular leveling properties and / or the particular sag resistance of the provided coating compositions are achieved by the presence of at least one sag control agent (SCA) in at least one provided coating composition.

[0147] 29. The method according to embodiment 28, wherein the sag control agent (SCA) is selected from polymeric sag control agents.

[0148] 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the polymeric sag control agent (SCA) is obtainable by reacting a primary or secondary amine, in particular a benzylamine, with an isocyanate compound, in particular a polyisocyanate, in the presence of a hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate.

[0149] 31. The process according to embodiment 30, wherein the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate contains, in polymerized form, at least one unsaturated monomer comprising at least one acid group M1, at least one unsaturated aliphatic monomer M2, at least one unsaturated aromatic monomer M3 and at least one unsaturated hydroxy-group-containing monomer M4.

[0150] 32. The polymeric sag control agent (SCA) has an average molecular weight M of 3,000 to 50,000 g / mol, preferably 4,000 to 30,000 g / mol, very preferably 5,000 to 15,000 g / mol, determined by GPC using polystyrene as an internal standard. w 32. The method according to any one of embodiments 29 to 31, comprising:

[0151] 33. The method according to any one of embodiments 30 to 32, wherein the hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate used to prepare the polymeric sag control agent is present in the provided coating composition that does not contain a polymeric sag control agent or that contains a lower amount of polymeric sag agent compared to the provided coating composition that contains a higher amount of polymeric sag agent.

[0152] 34. The method according to any one of embodiments 28 to 33, wherein the sag control agents (SCAs), in particular polymeric sag control agents, are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 40% by weight, preferably 2 to 30% by weight, more preferably 3 to 20% by weight, very preferably 4 to 15% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the respective provided coating composition.

[0153] 35. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one provided coating composition further comprises at least one additive different from a sag control agent (SCA).

[0154] 36. The process according to embodiment 35, wherein the at least one additive different from the sag control additive is selected from light stabilizers, leveling agents, UV absorbers, pigments, free radical scavengers, slip additives, polymerization inhibitors, defoamers, wetting agents, adhesion promoters, flow control agents, film-forming aids, such as cellulose derivatives, fillers, rheology control additives, flame retardants and / or moisture scavengers, in particular light stabilizers and leveling agents.

[0155] 37. The method according to embodiment 36, wherein the leveling agent is selected from silicon-containing leveling agents.

[0156] 38. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the provided coating compositions differ only in the amount and / or type of leveling agent(s) and / or sag control agent(s) (SCA) and / or solvent(s).

[0157] 39. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein step (b) is carried out using a spray application device.

[0158] 40. Coating composition C1 and / or each further coating composition C x 2. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coating is applied onto every target area having the same characteristics.

[0159] 41. A method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the provided coating composition having high leveling properties is applied to at least a portion of a horizontally oriented target area of ​​the object, and the provided coating composition having high sag resistance is applied to at least a portion of a vertically oriented target area of ​​the object, respectively.

[0160] 42. The method according to any one of the previous embodiments, further comprising a step (e) of curing, or drying and curing, the applied coating composition(s).

[0161] 43. Use of a method according to any one of the preceding embodiments for coating target areas of a substrate having different orientations relative to each other.

[0162] 44. A system for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different properties, utilizing an application device, comprising: - an application device comprising a nozzle; - a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute application instructions and, optionally, mix ratio instructions to control the application device; and - in fluid communication with the application device, and i At least two components (A) having different leveling properties and different specific sagging resistance i ) i=1、…、n and optionally at least one hardener component B, or at least two coating compositions having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance (C i ) i=1、…、n At least two reservoirs configured to contain Including, The application device comprises: ○ Ingredient (A i ) i=1、…、n and optionally a hardener component B from a reservoir, i ) i=1、…、n Optionally, mix with hardener component B in a nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and The resulting coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through a nozzle. ionto at least two target areas having different characteristics such that at least a portion of the coating is not dispensed onto the same target area or areas of the object, forming at least two coating layers. or The applicator comprises: ○ at least two coating compositions (C i ) i=1、…、n from the reservoir; and Coating composition (C i ) i=1、…、n Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through a nozzle. i onto at least two target areas having different characteristics such that at least a portion of the coating is not dispensed onto the same target area or areas of the object, forming at least two coating layers. The system is configured as follows.

[0163] 45. One or more data processors may further: - receiving, by one or more data processors, target image data of the object, the target image data including a plurality of target regions; - generating application instructions based on the received image data; The system according to claim 44, configured to generate application instructions by

[0164] Description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 to be coated with a coating material. In this example, the coating material is a clear coat material. In another example, the coating material is a primer coating material, a primer surfacer coating material, a filler coating material, or a base coat material. The vehicle 100 contains a horizontally oriented region 102 to be coated and a vertically oriented region 104 to be coated. Using the method of the present invention for coating the horizontally oriented region 102 and the vertically oriented region 104 with a coating material, a coating material having high sag resistance is applied to the vertically oriented region 104, and a coating material having good leveling properties and low sag resistance is applied to the horizontally oriented region 102. The coating material having high sag resistance can be, for example, a coating composition containing a sag control additive (SCA), such as the coating composition CC1 disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present invention. i A coating material having high leveling properties and low sagging resistance is obtained by using at least two components A. i , A i+1 in a defined ratio, and consists of one component A i Or A i+1 contains a sag control additive (SCA) and other components A i Or A i+1 does not contain a sag control additive (SCA), and the resulting coating material is i Or A i+1 It contains a lower concentration of sag control additive than EXAMPLES

[0165] The present invention will now be described in more detail using examples, but the present invention is by no means limited to these examples. Furthermore, the terms "parts", "%" and "ratio" in the examples represent "parts by mass", "% by mass" and "ratio by mass", respectively, unless otherwise specified.

[0166] A) Measurement method 1. Solids content (solids, non-volatile fraction) Unless otherwise indicated, the solids content (hereinafter also referred to as solid fraction) was determined according to DIN EN ISO 3251:2008-06 at 130° C. and 60 min with a starting mass of 1.0 g.

[0167] 2. Sagging resistance in vertically oriented areas Measurements of sagging resistance in vertically oriented areas were performed by applying a wedge of coating material with layer thicknesses of 10 to 50 μm to a panel primed with an e-coat coating and coated with a base coat. The base coat was cured before applying the clear coat formulation. Sagging occurred in holes in the panel that mimicked the edges of a car body. Sagging was measured at layer thicknesses where sagging lengths reached 3 mm and 10 mm.

[0168] More specifically, perforated steel panels (according to DIN EN ISO28199-1, section 8.1, version A) with dimensions of 57 cm x 20 cm were coated with a cured cathodic electrocoat paint (Cathoguard® 800 from BASF Coatings GmbH) and a cured commercial water-based basecoat material (ColorBrite from BASF Coatings GmbH), prepared similarly to DIN EN ISO28199-1, section 8.2 (version A). The clearcoat material was then electrostatically applied in a single coat in a wedge shape in a manner based on DIN EN ISO28199-1, section 8.3, to a target film thickness (film thickness of the dried material) of 10 μm to 50 μm. After a flash time of 10 minutes at room temperature (25° C.), the resulting clear coating film was cured in a forced air oven at 140° C. for 20 minutes. The steel panels were flashed and cured in an upright position.

[0169] The sagging resistance was determined in each case in accordance with DIN EN ISO 28199-3, section 4. The layer thicknesses at which a sagging length of 3 mm and 10 mm was reached were measured for the sagging resistance.

[0170] 3. Measuring DOI DOI was evaluated after preparing the coatings, as described below, using a Hunter Dorigon, Fairfax, VA, Model D47-6 DOI meter at 30-35 micrometer dry film thickness according to ASTM D-5767-18.

[0171] 4. Wavescan Measurement Wavescan measurements were performed at 30-35 micrometer dry film thickness using a BYK Gardner Wave-scan Plus4806 meter following GM4364M after preparing the coatings as described below. Shortwave and longwave values ​​are the average of three readings.

[0172] 5. Overspray Compatibility The overspray compatibility of different clearcoat compositions was measured as follows: A steel panel coated with a cured cathodic electrocoat paint (Cathoguard® 800 from BASF Coatings GmbH) and a cured commercial water-based basecoat material (ColorBrite from BASF Coatings GmbH) was electrostatically coated with a single coat of the first clearcoat composition at a target film thickness (dry material film thickness) of 40 μm ± 5 μm. Half of the panel was then manually coated with the second clearcoat composition in a single slow hit at an assumed target film thickness (dry material film thickness) of approximately 10 μm. After a 10 minute flash period at room temperature (25° C.), the resulting clear coating film was cured in a forced air oven at 140° C. for 20 minutes.

[0173] The resulting panels were visually evaluated for surface defects such as matte / cloudy areas. If the clearcoat layer was visually flawless and glossy, the panel was rated iO (OK). If not, the panel was rated niO (not OK).

[0174] B) Preparation of Various Clearcoat Coating Compositions 1. Preparation of the components provided in step (a) of the method of the invention Each component A1 and A2 was prepared by mixing the ingredients shown in Table 1. Component A1 contained a large amount of sag control agent (SCA), while component A2 contained no sag control agent. Solvent naphtha was used in component A2 to make up the balance so that each component A1 and A2 equaled 100.

[0175] [Table 1]

[0176] 1) The hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylic resin contained the following monomers: styrene, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, cyclohexyl methacrylate and acrylic acid, solids content=56%, 2) Prepared according to the procedure described in "Herstellung eines erfindungsgemaessen SCA Harzes" on page 18, lines 5 to 26 of WO2008148555A1, 3) Prepared according to the procedure described in "Herstellung eines erfindungsgemaessen SCA Harzes" on page 18, lines 5 to 17 of WO2008148555A1, 4) n-Butylated high iminomelamine crosslinker, solids content = 68-72% (provided by Allnex); 5) Highly methylated monomeric melamine crosslinker, solids content = ≥ 98% (provided by Allnex); 6) OH content 4.4%, based on solids, solids content 71-73%, acid value 6.5-9.8, 23°C and 100s -1 Saturated polyester with a viscosity of 4.0 to 5.8 Pas (provided by Allnex) 7)Liquid UV absorbers of the hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole class (provided by BASF Dispersions & Resins), 8) A liquid hindered amine light stabilizer (Tinuvin® 292) (provided by BASF Dispersions & Resins), 9) Polyether modified polymethylalkylsiloxane, solids content = 52% (provided by BYK-Chemie GmbH), 10) Polyester modified polymethylalkylsiloxane, solids content = 25% (provided by BYK-Chemie GmbH), 11) Acrylic polymer / polyvinyl ether, solids content = 77% (provided by Kyoeisha Chemical Co., Ltd.).

[0177] 2. Preparation of Hardener Component Hardener component B was prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 2:

[0178] [Table 2]

[0179] 1) Desmodur Ultra N3390BA / SN, solids content = 90% (provided by Covestro AG)

[0180] 3. Preparation of Various Clearcoat Coating Compositions Clear coat compositions CC1 to CC3 were each prepared by mixing respective components A1 and A2 or a mixture of components A1 and A2 with hardener component B in the mixing ratios shown in Table 3.

[0181] [Table 3]

[0182] C) Preparation of coated objects 1. Preparation of coated substrates for evaluation of sag resistance: Test panels for evaluation of sagging resistance were prepared as described above in point A)2.

[0183] 2. Preparation of coated objects for evaluation of horizontal appearance Test panels for evaluation of horizontal appearance were prepared by coating clearcoat compositions CC1 to CC3, respectively, with a wedge application of 0 μm to 60 μm using ESTA HR Application onto steel panels coated with a cured cathodic electrocoat paint (Cathoguard® 800 from BASF Coatings GmbH) and a cured commercial black basecoat material (ColorBrite from BASF Coatings GmbH). After a 10 minute flash period at room temperature (25° C.), the resulting clearcoat films were cured in a forced air oven at 140° C. for 20 minutes.

[0184] 3. Preparation of Coated Objects for Overspray Compatibility Assessment Test panels for overspray compatibility evaluation were prepared as described in point A)5 above.

[0185] D) result 1. Drip resistance The sag resistance of the clear coat compositions CC1 to CC3 was measured as described above. The results are shown in Table 4. The upper half of the table lists only the differences regarding the material components of the clear coats CC1 to CC3. Footnotes 1) to 3) correspond to footnotes 1) to 3) in Table 1.

[0186] [Table 4]

[0187] 2. Leveling characteristics The leveling properties of the clearcoat compositions CC1 to CC3 were measured as described above. The results are shown in Table 5. In the upper half of the table, only the differences regarding the material components of the clearcoats CC1 to CC3 are listed. Footnotes 1) to 3) correspond to footnotes 1) to 3) in Table 1.

[0188] [Table 5]

[0189] 3. Overspray Compatibility The overspray compatibility of the clearcoat compositions CC1 to CC3 was measured as described above. The results are shown in Tables 6 and 7. The upper half of the tables lists only the differences regarding the material components of the clearcoats CC1 to CC3. Footnotes 1) to 3) correspond to footnotes 1) to 3) in Table 1.

[0190] [Table 6]

[0191] [Table 7]

[0192] E) Discussion of Results The highest sag resistance on vertically oriented objects was obtained with clearcoat composition CC1, which contained a high amount of sag control additive (SCA) (see Table 4). By mixing component A1, which contained a high amount of sag control additive (SCA), with component A2, which did not contain sag control additive (SCA), the sag resistance on vertically oriented objects was significantly reduced. This was due to the reduced amount of sag control additive.

[0193] However, the leveling properties of the clear coat composition CC2 on horizontally oriented objects were significantly improved by mixing the SCA-containing component A1 with the SCA-free component A2, and the resulting clear coat composition CC2 even had better leveling properties than the SCA-free clear coat composition CC3 (see Table 5). Thus, by selecting an appropriate mixing ratio in step (b) of the method of the present invention, the leveling properties and sagging resistance of the clear coat composition can be adjusted to achieve high sagging resistance on vertically oriented objects or good leveling properties on horizontally oriented objects. For example, using an application nozzle (e.g. EcoBell3 2X2K from Duerr) that can be fitted with three reservoirs containing components A1, A2 and hardener B, the mixing ratio can be dynamically adjusted in step (b), so that objects containing horizontally and vertically oriented surfaces can be coated with high quality. Because the sagging resistance and leveling properties can be adjusted depending on the orientation of the surface during application of the clear coat composition. The high compatibility of components A1 and A2 when mixed is achieved by using the same binder used to prepare the sag control agent in component A2 to compensate for the absence of SCA. Furthermore, components A1 and A2 only differ in the presence or absence of SCA, while all other components and their amounts are kept constant, avoiding the occurrence of undesirable adverse effects on the quality of the clearcoat layer caused by incompatibility that occurs when components A1 and A2 are mixed.

[0194] To achieve high optical quality without adverse effects due to incompatibility of the different clearcoat compositions, the clearcoat compositions must be applied in a defined order, as demonstrated by the overspray compatibility test. According to the results shown in Tables 6 and 7, high compatibility (i.e., no adverse effects on the optical quality of the clearcoat layer obtained by applying both clearcoat compositions CC1 and CC2) is achieved when clearcoat composition CC1 is first applied to the vertically oriented object, and then clearcoat composition CC2 is applied to the horizontally oriented object.

Claims

1. 1. A method for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance to an object comprising a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different properties, comprising the steps of: (a) a first coating composition C having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging properties; １ Providing (b) the first coating composition C provided in step (a); １ The first characteristic P １ applying to at least a portion of the plurality of target areas (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) at least once, - each further coating composition C provided when repeating step (a) ｘ The specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance of the coating composition C provided above １ and each further coating composition C provided above ｘ and - each coating composition C ｘ is applied to at least a portion of the plurality of target areas having a property different from the property P1 and each further previously coated target area when step (b) is repeated. Process A method comprising:

2. In step (a), (a-1) at least two components (A) having different leveling properties and / or different sagging resistance ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and optionally providing at least one hardener component B, (a-2) Component A provided in step (a-1) ｉ Select at least a portion of the mixing ratio(s) of the first coating composition C １ and / or further coating composition(s) C ｘ achieving specific leveling properties and / or specific sag resistance; (a-3) optionally selecting the mixing ratio(s) of at least one hardener component B provided in step (a-1); and (a-4) Component A ｉ and optionally the at least one hardener component B in the selected mixing ratio(s) in steps (a-2) and optionally (a-3) to produce a coating composition C having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance. １ and / or further coating composition(s) C ｘ A process for providing The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. In step (a-2), a first coating composition C １ and / or further coating composition(s) C ｘ and selecting the mixing ratio of at least a portion of the components provided in step (a-1) to obtain a first coating composition C １ and / or further coating composition(s) C ｘ The method of claim 2, further comprising: achieving specific leveling properties and / or specific sag resistance.

4. Coating Composition C １ and / or a further coating composition C ｘ If a higher sagging resistance is required, the components provided in step (a-1) and having a high sagging resistance are selected in a higher proportion in step (a-2), or the first coating composition C １ and / or a further coating composition C ｘ 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the component provided in step (a-1) and having high sagging resistance is selected in a lower proportion in step (a-2) when higher leveling properties are required.

5. In step (a), at least two coating material components are mixed to produce a first coating composition C having specific leveling properties and / or specific sagging resistance. １ and / or further coating composition(s) C ｘ The method of claim 1 , comprising preparing

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the different characteristics include different orientations of the at least two target regions relative to one another.

7. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one provided coating composition has good leveling properties and at least one further provided coating composition has good sag resistance.

8. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the different leveling properties and / or the different sag resistance of the provided coating compositions are achieved by the presence of at least one sag control agent (SCA) in at least one provided coating composition.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said sag control agent (SCA) is selected from polymeric sag control agents.

10. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the polymeric sag control agent (SCA) is obtainable by reacting a primary or secondary amine, in particular a benzylamine, with an isocyanate compound, in particular a polyisocyanate, in the presence of a hydroxy-functional poly(meth)acrylate.

11. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the sag control agents (SCA), in particular the polymeric sag control agents, are present in a total amount of 0.1 to 40% by weight, preferably 2 to 30% by weight, more preferably 3 to 20% by weight, very preferably 4 to 15% by weight, in each case relative to the total weight of the respective provided coating composition.

12. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coating composition having high leveling properties is applied to at least a portion of the horizontally oriented target area of ​​the object, respectively, and the coating composition having high sag resistance is applied to at least a portion of the vertically oriented target area of ​​the object, respectively.

13. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step (e) of curing, or drying and curing, the applied coating composition.

14. 3. Use of the method according to claim 1 or 2 for coating target areas of a substrate having different orientations relative to each other.

15. 1. A system for applying at least two coating compositions having different leveling properties and / or different sag resistance utilizing an application device to an object including a plurality of target areas, at least some of the plurality of target areas having different properties, the system comprising: - an application device comprising a nozzle, a storage device for storing application instructions and, optionally, mixing ratio instructions; - one or more data processors configured to execute said application instructions and optionally said mix ratio instructions to control said application device; and - in fluid communication with said application device, and ｉ at least two components (A) having different leveling properties and / or different specific sagging resistance ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and optionally at least one hardener component B, or at least two coating compositions (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ At least two reservoirs configured to contain Including, The application device comprises: The component (A ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ and optionally receiving said hardener component B from said reservoir, said component (A ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ optionally with the hardener component B in the nozzle according to the mix ratio instructions; and The resulting coating composition (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through the nozzle. ｉ onto at least two target areas having different characteristics such that at least a portion of the coating is not dispensed onto the same target area or areas of the object, forming at least two coating layers. or The applicator comprises: said at least two coating compositions (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ from the reservoir; and The coating composition (C ｉ ) ｉ＝１、…、ｎ Based on the application instructions, each coating composition C is applied through the nozzle. ｉ onto at least two target areas having different characteristics such that at least a portion of the coating is not dispensed onto the same target area or areas of the object, forming at least two coating layers. The system is configured as follows.

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