Davidson Textron Inc.

Textron Automotive Interiors, Inc.

Textron Automotive Company Inc.

Gerard L Vachon

Richard C Eisfeller

Maureen M Lein

Alfred T Poliquin

Richard W Finch

Mark E Dukeshire

John B Clark

Ellen Lord

Stephen P McLaughlin

Robert D Sparling

Robert D Sparling, Ii

A process for manufacturing a metallized substrate using the island coating method, includes depositing a coating layer containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former. The coated part is then vacuum metallized to form the metal islands of the present invention. A layer of clear resinous protective dielectric topcoat containing a radiation curable non-volatile film former is then deposited to completely cover the layer of metal islands while maintaining the aesthetic properties of the metallizing island coating system at a reduced cost and with minimal variability among parts.

Radiation cured island coating system

A high gloss color finish for a plastic article is formed by coating and curing a colored primer layer (12) onto a plastic substrate (10). A light transmissive basecoat (14) is applied and cured onto the primer layer (12) to form a substrate (10) with a colored surface. Indium islands (20) are vacuum deposited onto the basecoat (12) to a thickness up to 100 Angstroms to form a visually macroscopically continuous layer (21). The island layer (21) is etched to remove smaller sized islands. A transparent topcoat (24) is applied onto the basecoat and indium islands and cured in place.

Method for producing high gloss bright colored plastic articles

A bright trim article is manufactured by a process including applying a primer coat material to the outer surface of a raw part and thereafter applying a dielectric substrate basecoat by rotation and spray painting to prevent orange peel; thereafter vacuum metallizing a corrosion prone metal, namely indium, on the dielectric substrate basecoat to form 'islands' of the indium that are etched following the growth of the metal as it is deposited after the nucleation stage and the stage of channelization but before the formation of an electrically conductive film; thereafter applying a clear resinous topcoat material by rotating the base-coated part and spraying the resinous topcoat material to prevent an orange peel surface while filling the channels and covering the islands to encapsulate and insulate the islands, one from another. A preferred application of this invention is the manufacture of trim parts for the automotive, plumbing and building industries.

Method for making bright trim articles

In a process for masking a part subjected to a high pressure washing cycle between the applications of two or more paint coats, the improvement comprising the steps of: spray coating on a prepainted part a washable masking material which is cuttable when set to form a nonwicking edge; self adhering the spray coating and cutting it along a paint line to form a nonwicking mask edge which prevents paint leakage or the trapping or washing solution between the masking material and part and leakage of such trapped washing solution onto a subsequently painted surface. The process includes the step of cutting and cleanly peeling a portion of the masking material from the part following the drying of the sprayed mask to expose part of the prepainted surface; at least one subsequent washing and drying of the masked part; and at least one subsequent painting of the exposed prepainted surface.

Washable mask process

Growing community of inventors

Somersworth, NH, United States of America

Gerard L Vachon