This invention provides method of treating a surface of exterior wood outside of buildings to inhibit the uptake of moisture into the wood by spraying on the surface of the wood an aqueous formulation consisting of one or more film forming non-chloride, long-chain polymers. The aqueous formulation forms a clear micro-film. Preferably, the long-chain polymer is polyethylene-vinyl acetate, polyurethane, or a combination thereof, wherein the clear micro-film contains no detectable volatile organic compounds. A clear colorant is added to the aqueous formulation to verify treatment. The clear colored micro-film maintains moisture content in the wood at 16 percent or less, allows for continued visual inspection of the surface of the wood for termite damage, does not rub off, get diluted with water, or become damaged by workers and pets who come into contact with the clear colored microfilm.

This invention provides method of treating a surface of exterior wood outside of buildings to inhibit the uptake of moisture into the wood by spraying on the surface of the wood an aqueous formulation consisting of one or more film forming non-chloride, long-chain polymers. The aqueous formulation forms a clear micro-film. Preferably, the long-chain polymer is polyethylene-vinyl acetate, polyurethane, or a combination thereof, wherein the clear micro-film contains no detectable volatile organic compounds. A clear colorant is added to the aqueous formulation to verify treatment. The clear colored micro-film maintains moisture content in the wood at 16 percent or less, allows for continued visual inspection of the surface of the wood for termite damage, does not rub off, get diluted with water, or become damaged by workers and pets who come into contact with the clear colored microfilm.

The present invention is a coating containing approximately 10% glass beads used to protect wood products. Applicant has discovered that the best performance occurs when the concentration of glass beads in the coating ranges from 5 wt % to 10 wt %. A shelf-stable paste is first prepared by combining a solution of modified styrene maleic acid copolymer and a synthetic layered silicate. That paste is then mixed with a binder to form the coating. Preferably, the concentration of glass beads in the paste ranges from 60 wt % to 80 wt %, the concentration of solution of modified styrene maleic acid copolymer ranges from 20 wt % to 25 wt % and the concentration of synthetic layered silicate ranges from 1 wt % to 3 wt %.

The present invention is a coating containing approximately 10% glass beads used to protect wood products. Applicant has discovered that the best performance occurs when the concentration of glass beads in the coating ranges from 5 wt % to 10 wt %. A shelf-stable paste is first prepared by combining a solution of modified styrene maleic acid copolymer and a synthetic layered silicate. That paste is then mixed with a binder to form the coating. Preferably, the concentration of glass beads in the paste ranges from 60 wt % to 80 wt %, the concentration of solution of modified styrene maleic acid copolymer ranges from 20 wt % to 25 wt % and the concentration of synthetic layered silicate ranges from 1 wt % to 3 wt %.

An alkyd polymer composition for use in low volatile organic compound (VOC) containing products that exhibits a Gardner-Holdt viscosity with 30 weight % mineral spirits at 25° C. that is less than or equal to Z4, a thy-hard time of less than 10 hours when tested with metal driers according to ASTM D 1640-03, and a clear appearance. The alkyd polymer composition includes, as polymerized units an alkyd polymer of one or more fatty acids; a sugar alcohol having at least 6 carbon atoms; a polyol with four or more hydroxyl functional groups; and an aromatic polyacid with two carboxylic acid groups located in a meta-position relative to one another. The alkyd polymer composition includes at least one aliphatic oxide ring having one or more peaks located between 75 to 90 ppm as measured using C.sup.13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

An alkyd polymer composition for use in low volatile organic compound (VOC) containing products that exhibits a Gardner-Holdt viscosity with 30 weight % mineral spirits at 25° C. that is less than or equal to Z4, a thy-hard time of less than 10 hours when tested with metal driers according to ASTM D 1640-03, and a clear appearance. The alkyd polymer composition includes, as polymerized units an alkyd polymer of one or more fatty acids; a sugar alcohol having at least 6 carbon atoms; a polyol with four or more hydroxyl functional groups; and an aromatic polyacid with two carboxylic acid groups located in a meta-position relative to one another. The alkyd polymer composition includes at least one aliphatic oxide ring having one or more peaks located between 75 to 90 ppm as measured using C.sup.13 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

The present invention relates to a process of coating wood with at least two waterbased coating compositions the process comprising: a) applying a coating composition A comprising at least one anionic polymer A with a Hansch parameter ≤1.6, and drying or allowing to dry said aqueous coating composition A, b) applying a coating composition B comprising at least one anionic polymer B with a Hansch parameter ≥1.7 and pigment, and drying or allowing to dry said aqueous coating composition B, with the proviso that the difference of the Hansch Parameters of anionic polymer B and anionic polymer A is at least 0.5. The invention also relates to wood coated accordingly, and the use of a coating composition A, comprising an aqueous anionic polymer A with a Hansch parameter ≤1.6, as an undercoat for coating wood.

The present invention relates to a process of coating wood with at least two waterbased coating compositions the process comprising: a) applying a coating composition A comprising at least one anionic polymer A with a Hansch parameter ≤1.6, and drying or allowing to dry said aqueous coating composition A, b) applying a coating composition B comprising at least one anionic polymer B with a Hansch parameter ≥1.7 and pigment, and drying or allowing to dry said aqueous coating composition B, with the proviso that the difference of the Hansch Parameters of anionic polymer B and anionic polymer A is at least 0.5. The invention also relates to wood coated accordingly, and the use of a coating composition A, comprising an aqueous anionic polymer A with a Hansch parameter ≤1.6, as an undercoat for coating wood.

Flame retardant coating formulation in the form of an aqueous dispersion comprising a binder, particles of a brominated polymeric flame retardant; and particles of at least one of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum trihydrate, wherein the aqueous dispersion is substantially free of antimony oxide. A process for preparing the formulation and a method of reducing the flammability of wood and wood products by coating them with the formulation are also provided.

Flame retardant coating formulation in the form of an aqueous dispersion comprising a binder, particles of a brominated polymeric flame retardant; and particles of at least one of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum trihydrate, wherein the aqueous dispersion is substantially free of antimony oxide. A process for preparing the formulation and a method of reducing the flammability of wood and wood products by coating them with the formulation are also provided.