Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Charles C Mentzer

William T Short

Howard W Cox

Michael P Balogh

Charles K Buehler

Catherine A Ostrander

Steven J Schmidt

A thermoforming methodology for laminated thermoplastic sheets which preserves the class 'A' finish and high gloss thereof. In a thermoforming process including heating followed by vacuum and opposing air pressure application, and then followed by application of chilled compressed air, control of spherulite formation using any of: addition of a nucleating agent to the paint film, using the chilled compressed air at a temperature of substantially about 32&#xb0; F., heating to no more than about 311&#xb0; F., selecting a paint film having a high melting point temperature, and selecting a paint film that is non-crystalline.

Thermoforming process for producing class 'A' finish, high gloss automotive exterior parts

A article made by the method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The article comprises a prepainted carrier film surface layer, an adhesive layer, and a rigid substrate layer. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation containing flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 15 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to such stretch.

Article covered with painted carrier films

A method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation not containing any flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 10 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to the such stretch.

A method of applying a prepainted carrier film to an automobile body part in a vacuum thermoforming process. The prepainted carrier film has a top surface painted by a color coat formulation containing flakes and then coated with a layer of clear coat having a thickness of no less than 15 microns. The prepainted carrier film is heated and stretched in a vacuum thermoforming process and then assembled to a substrate for an automobile body part by adhesive means. The clear coat layer retains substantially the same gloss and color appearance of the stretched prepainted carrier film as prior to such stretch.

Method of applying painted carrier films to automobile body parts

A method of applying a carrier film prepainted with metallic paint containing metal flakes to an automobile body panel in a vacuum forming process.

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Birmingham, MI, United States of America

Charles C Mentzer