This method for painting a surface (S62) of a component (6) with a pattern includes at least the following steps consisting in applying a first coating product on at least a portion of the surface, automatically applying at least one portion of a mask (12) on a portion (Z62) of the surface, applying a second coating product and on the surface and removing the mask (12). Preferably, the mask (12) is at least partially automatically applied in the form of at least one layer (122, 124, 126) of non-atomized fluid, the layer being obtained by moving (A1) an applicator (16) delivering the non-atomized fluid along the portion (Z62) of the surface (S62) where the mask (12) is to be applied.

A tape assembly for masking an object to be painted and method of use is provided. The tape assembly is defined by a tape body having an anterior side, a posterior side, a body first edge, and an opposing body second edge. The tape body includes a first portion including a first substrate having a first adhesive layer on a posterior side of the first substrate, a second portion including a second substrate having a second adhesive layer on an anterior side of the second substrate, and a third portion including a third substrate having a third adhesive layer on a posterior side of the third substrate. The first and third portions partially overlap with the second portion in opposing first and second overlapping regions, respectively.

An adhesive article for masking a portion of a substrate surface from a liquid coating applied to the surface includes a support having first and second opposed major surfaces, and a cationic or zwitterionic adhesive composition disposed on at least a portion of at least one of the first and second opposed major surfaces. The adhesive composition provides a barrier that impedes the migration of the coating past the edge of the adhesive article.

A method for forming a structural-strain sensor network on a structure is provided. The sensor network has plural nanocomposite sensing elements having high sensitivity, and can be quickly fabricated. The method comprises attaching a molding layer having openings onto the surface, and filling the openings with a coating material made of nanocomposite hybrid material. After immobilizing the coating material in the openings, the sensing elements are formed and the molding layer is removed. Electrical wires are formed on the surface such that two opposite electrodes are formed on each sensing element. The resistance between the two electrodes indicates a strain experienced. The sensor network finds applications in identifying a damaged location or an impact location on the structure for structural health monitoring. Voltage waveforms measured at the sensing elements are analyzed to estimate the damaged location or the impact location according to a guided-wave propagation model.

The invention relates to a method for producing a motor vehicle part (10) made of a plastic material, said method comprising a step of spraying a product, and the part comprising an area to be protected during the spraying. The method comprises the following steps: applying a fluid material forming a temporary masking layer on the area to be protected, said step being carried out automatically; spraying the product onto the part (10); and removing the temporary masking layer.

An applicator die for creating undivided ribbons of polymeric film and a method of using the die to apply an emulsified polymeric material in ribbons to a fully or partially finished surface of an automobile body. In one application, the ribbon is applied as a peelable film to an automobile body and in another application, a ribbon is applied to a rocker panel as an anti-chip coating. For both applications, the applicator die has an internal gallery and an outlet slot with flared edge surfaces to emit a laminarized ribbon of polymer-based material at a distance from the target surface where the opposite edges of the ribbon have become essentially parallel.

An apparatus includes a component having an edge feature that has a radius of curvature. The apparatus includes an underlayer arranged over the edge feature and configured to increase the radius of curvature of the edge feature. The apparatus includes a powder coating arranged over the component and over the underlayer to form a continuous layer. The underlayer is configured to remain under the powder coating. The underlayer helps the powder coating achieve a more uniform thickness over the edge feature. The apparatus is formed by applying an underlayer to a first region of the component to form an underlaid component. The first region includes the edge feature. A powder coating is applied to the underlaid component. A masking layer may be applied to a region other than the first region, and after powder coating, the masking may be removed to expose a surface of the component.

A method for applying a sulfonation treatment to a thermoplastic part includes forming a sulfonation barrier on the thermoplastic part by applying a sealant tape onto the thermoplastic part, applying a sulfonation fluid to a portion of a thermoplastic surface of the thermoplastic part to sulfonate the thermoplastic part at the thermoplastic surface, removing the sulfonation fluid from the portion of the thermoplastic surface, applying a neutralizing agent to the portion of the thermoplastic surface, washing the portion of the thermoplastic surface, and applying at least one coating to the portion of the thermoplastic surface.

An object of the present invention is to provide a masking material having excellent peeling properties even if the drying step is reduced, preferably without the drying step. There is provided a curable composition comprising: (A1) a prepolymer represented by (Formula 1): (CH.sub.2C(R.sup.1)COOR.sup.2OCONHR.sup.3NHCO).sub.nR.sup.4 wherein each of R.sup.1 is independently a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each of R.sup.2 is independently an aliphatic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, each of R.sup.3 is independently an aromatic or aliphatic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and R.sup.4 is an aromatic or aliphatic group having a number average molecular weight at least 500 and having a polycarbonate backbone and/or a polyester backbone and n is an integer from 2 to 4 and (A2) a non-polymer represented by (Formula 2): (CH.sub.2C(R.sup.5)COOR.sup.6OCONH).sub.mR.sup.7 wherein each of R.sup.5 is independently a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each of R.sup.6 is independently an aliphatic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sup.7 is independently an aromatic or aliphatic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and m is an integer from 2 to 4.