Weather-Resistant Temporary Paint System Comprising a Removable Paint Composition and a Remover Composition

Abstract

A paint system comprising a first component and a second component wherein said first and second components are separate compositions, wherein said first component is a removable paint composition comprising: (i) an organic solvent component comprising or consisting of one or more organic solvent(s); (ii) a polymeric component comprising a polymeric binder; (iii) a pigment component; and (iv) optionally one or more acid(s), and wherein said second component is a remover composition for removing said first component from a surface of a substrate wherein said remover composition comprises: (i) water and (ii) a base.

Claims

1. A paint system comprising a first component and a second component wherein said first and second components are separate compositions, wherein said first component is a paint composition comprising: (i) an organic solvent component comprising or consisting of one or more organic solvent(s) wherein said organic solvent component is present in an amount of from 40 to 70% by weight of said paint composition, and wherein said organic solvent component comprises one or more organic solvent(s) in an amount of at least 90% by weight of the organic solvent component; (ii) a polymeric component comprising a polymeric binder wherein said polymeric component is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 30% by weight of said paint composition; (iii) a pigment component wherein said pigment component is present in an amount of at least about 1% by weight of said paint composition; and (iv) optionally one or more acid(s) in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 1.0% by weight of said paint composition, wherein said paint composition is in the form of an aerosol, and wherein said second component is a remover composition for removing said first component from a surface of a substrate wherein said remover composition comprises: (i) water and (ii) a base.

2. (canceled)

3. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein upon application to a substrate, the cohesive force between the pigment component and the polymeric binder is greater than the adhesive force of the pigment component to the substrate onto which the paint composition is applied, and/or the polymeric binder substantially prevents adhesive contact between the pigment component and the substrate, and/or the polymeric binder forms a protective intermediate coating layer between the pigment component and the substrate preferably such that said protective intermediate coating layer is no more than 5 m in thickness.

4. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein said organic solvent component of the paint composition comprises or consists of one or more alcohol(s), and optionally further comprises water, preferably wherein said alcohol is selected from aliphatic and cycloaliphatic alcohols, preferably from aliphatic alcohols.

5. (canceled)

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7. A paint system according to claim 4 wherein said alcohol is selected from ethanol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, iso-butyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, 2-methyl butanol, isoamyl alcohol and other primary amyl alcohol isomers, n-pentanol, 2-ethylhexanol, 4-hydroxy-2,6,8-trimethylnonane and diisobutyl, more preferably selected from ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, more preferably from ethanol.

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13. A paint system according to claim 1 where said polymeric binder of said paint composition is thermoplastic and/or water-soluble or water-dispersible.

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17. A paint system according to claim 16 1 wherein the polymeric binder comprises at least one type of monomer selected from mono-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids, preferably selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or crotonic acid; and/or wherein the polymeric binder comprises at least one type of monomer selected from mono-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters and vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, preferably wherein said mono-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters contain up to 15 carbon atoms and/or said vinyl esters of carboxylic acids contain up to 15 carbon atoms, and are preferably selected from vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate and vinyl neodecanoate.

18. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of said paint composition comprises a repeating unit derived from a monomer comprising one or more group(s) selected or derived from carboxylic acid, sulphonic acid and phosphoric acid groups, and preferably from carboxylic acid groups.

19. A paint system according to claim 18 wherein said monomer is an unsaturated mono- or di-carboxylic acid of formula (I): ##STR00009## wherein: n is an integer from 0 to 10; A.sub.1 is a methylene group, optionally linked to the carbon atom of the unsaturated group or to the neighbouring methylene group when n is greater than 1 by a hetero-atom (preferably wherein the heteroatom is selected from oxygen and sulphur); R.sub.7 is selected from H, COOH, CH.sub.2COOH, phenyl and benzyl; R.sub.8 is selected from H, lower alkyl, COOH and CH.sub.2COOH; and R.sub.9 is selected from H, lower alkyl, CH.sub.2COOH, phenyl and benzyl, preferably wherein only one of R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 is or comprises a COOH group, preferably wherein n=0 or 1, and preferably wherein n is from 1 to 10 the group A.sub.1 is linked directly to the unsaturated group or to a neighbouring methylene group.

20. A paint system according to claim 18 wherein the polymeric binder is a homopolymer or copolymer comprising a repeating unit derived from a monomer comprising one or more group(s) selected or derived from a sulphonic acid group, and wherein the monomer is selected from vinylsulphonic, styrenesulphonic, naphthalenesulphonic, and acrylamidoalkylsulphonic acids and salts thereof.

21. A paint system according to claim 18 wherein the polymeric binder comprises one or more additional comonomer(s), preferably selected from mono-olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid esters and/or vinyl esters of carboxylic acids.

22. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of said paint composition is selected from the homopolymers and copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone, preferably wherein vinyl acetate is the comonomer, and preferably wherein the copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate comprises from about 25 to about 40 wt % N-vinylpyrrolidone and from about 75 to about 60 wt % vinyl acetate.

23. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of said paint composition is selected from non-hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed polyvinylacetates.

24. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of said paint composition is selected from: (A): Homopolymers and copolymers of acrylic and methacrylic acid and salts thereof, copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide and salts thereof, and sodium salts of polyhydroxycarboxylic acids; (B): Copolymers of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid with at least one mono-ethylenic monomer, optionally selected from ethylene, styrene, vinyl esters, esters of acrylic acid, and esters of methacrylic acid; (C): Crotonic acid copolymers, optionally wherein the copolymer comprises in its chain at least one unit selected from vinyl esters of C.sub.1-12 alkanoic acids; and optionally wherein said crotonic acid copolymers further comprise at least one first additional unit selected from allyl esters, methallyl esters, vinyl ethers and vinyl esters of linear or branched, saturated carboxylic acids comprising at least one hydrocarbon chain comprising at least 5 carbon atoms, and optionally wherein said crotonic acid copolymers further comprise at least one second additional unit selected from vinyl, allyl, and methallyl esters of an - or -cyclic carboxylic acid; (D): Copolymers of mono-unsaturated C.sub.4-8 carboxylic acids or anhydrides selected from copolymers comprising (i) at least one first unit chosen from maleic, fumaric, itaconic acids, and anhydrides and (ii) at least one second unit chosen from vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, phenylvinyl derivatives, acrylic acid and esters; and (E): Polyacrylamides comprising at least one carboxylate group.

25. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of said paint composition is selected from: (i) methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate copolymers, optionally wherein the ratio of the comonomers is from about 40:60 to about 60:40; (ii) methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/tert-butyl acrylate terpolymers, optionally wherein the copolymer comprises from about 60 to about 70 wt % t-butyl acrylate and from about 20 to about 25 wt % methacrylic acid and from about 5 to about 15 wt % ethyl acrylate; (iii) acrylic acid copolymers, optionally selected from acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/N-tert-butylacrylamide terpolymers; (iv) methacrylic acid/methyl methacrylate copolymers; (v) methacrylic acid/acrylic acid/ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate copolymers; (vi) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, optionally wherein the copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 wt % vinyl acetate and from about 5 to about 15 wt % crotonic acid; (vii) crotonic acid polymers selected from vinyl acetate/crotonic acid/vinyl propionate copolymers, vinyl acetate/vinyl tert-butylbenzoate/crotonic acid terpolymers and crotonic acid/vinyl acetate/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers; (viii) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers grafted with polyethylene glycol; polymers derived from maleic, fumaric or itaconic acids or anhydrides with vinyl esters, vinyl ethers, vinyl halides, phenylvinyl derivatives, acrylic acid and esters thereof; and (ix) vinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid/lauryl methacrylate terpolymers.

26. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of said paint composition is selected from: (i) vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymers, optionally wherein the copolymer comprises from about 80 to about 95 wt % vinyl acetate and from about 5 to about 15 wt % crotonic acid; and (ii) crotonic acid/vinyl acetate/vinyl neodecanoate terpolymers,

27. (canceled)

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29. (canceled)

30. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein said acid of said paint composition is an aromatic or aliphatic mono-carboxylic acid, preferably selected from benzoic acid, terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid and phthalic acid.

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein said pigment component of said paint composition is a dry pigment dispersion, wherein said pigment dispersion comprises pigment, and a resin base and/or a co-solvent such that the pigment is present in an amount of from about 10 to 70 wt % by total weight of the pigment component, and the resin base is present in an amount of from about 5 to about 75 wt % by total weight of the pigment component.

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40. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein the polymeric binder of the paint composition does not cure or undergo chemical reaction upon application of the paint composition to a surface.

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43. A paint system according to claim 1 wherein said remover composition comprises: (i) water in an amount of at least 70 wt %, by weight of the remover composition; (ii) a base in an amount of no more than about 20 wt %, and at least about 0.2 wt % by weight of the remover composition optionally wherein the base is a weak base for which the conjugate acid exhibits a pKa of no more than 12.0 and wherein the base is selected from metal oxides, hydroxides and alkoxides, and salts of the counter-ions of weak acids; sodium meta-silicate, tri-sodium phosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide and the corresponding salts of potassium or calcium or the other alkali metals and alkaline earth metals; ammonium hydroxide; liquid ammonia; organic bases selected from amines and amino alcohols; (iii) optionally a rheology modifier in an amount of no more than about 10 wt % and at least about 0.2 wt % by weight of the remover composition, wherein said rheology modifier is selected from: polyurethanes; acrylic polymers; latex; styrene/butadiene copolymers; polyvinyl alcohol; clays; cellulose and cellulose derivatives; calcium or sodium sulfonates; polysaccharides and their derivatives; gums; proteins; modified castor oil; and organosilicones; and preferably the rheology modifier is selected from polysaccharides, derivatised polysaccharides and gums; and (iv) optionally a surfactant in an amount of no more than about 10 wt % and at least about 0.1 wt % by weight of the remover composition, optionally wherein the surfactant is selected from alkoxylates, phosphate esters, sodium resinate, fatty acid soaps, sulfonated fatty acid amide derivatives, sulfosuccinates, sodium lignosulfonate and petroleum sulfonates; and (v) optionally a biocide in an amount of no more than about 0.5 wt %, by weight of the remover composition.

44. (canceled)

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48. A paint system according to claim 1 which is a weather-resistant temporary paint system wherein said first component is a weather-resistant removable temporary paint composition and said second composition is a remover composition.

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Description

FIGURES

[0271] FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate the use of the paint system of the present invention.

[0272] FIG. 1 shows an appropriate substrate (a), preferably non-porous, which is dry and preferably clean and dust-free

[0273] FIG. 2 shows the application of a single coat of paint over an area (b), using a variety of methods (c) including professional sprayers, roller, paint brush, aerosol and paint pen.

[0274] FIG. 3 shows the dried painted surface (d), which is highly weather-resistant to a wide range of weather conditions (e), including sunshine, rain, snow and hail.

[0275] FIG. 4 shows the removal process. The remover composition (f) is applied to the painted surface and allowed to react with the paint coating for an appropriate time. The resultant composition is then removed from the surface by an appropriate technique (g), such as wiping, sponging, spraying or suction. The surface is then cleaned with water to remove any residual traces of paint and remover.

[0276] FIG. 5 shows the surface (h) from which the paint composition has been removed. The surface is undamaged with no markings or leaching.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0277] An acidified organic solvent was prepared by adding benzoic acid to denatured ethanol and mixing until the acid was fully dispersed into the ethanol. A polymeric binder comprising a copolymer comprising vinyl acetate and crotonic acid was added to the acidified organic solvent and mixed until the binder was fully dispersed to provide a clear liquid. A pigment dispersion was prepared comprising a black pigment, a condensation product of urea and aliphatic aldehyde as the resin base and methyl ethyl acetate as co-solvent. The pigment dispersion was then added to the clear liquid and mixed to provide a homogeneous paint composition. The weight ratio of the components in the paint composition was:

[0278] 60 wt % organic solvent

[0279] 0.5 wt % benzoic acid

[0280] 20% wt % polymeric binder

[0281] 19.5 wt % pigment dispersion.

[0282] In the pigment dispersion, the approximate weight ratio was: 16 wt % pigment, 71 wt % resin base, 4 wt % co-solvent and 9 wt % functional additive(s).

[0283] The paint composition was then diluted with acetone solvent. An aerosol spray-can was prepared according to conventional techniques known in the art by adding the diluted paint composition to a suitable can, together with dimethyl ether as the propellant. The final aerosol contained 30 wt % paint composition, 14 wt % acetone and 56 wt % DME.

[0284] A liquid remover composition was prepared by mixing monoethanolamine, xanthan gum and water in a weight ratio of about 5:1:94, and using a Silverson L2R high-shear mixer to provide a homogenous solution having a viscosity of 5800 cPs (measured at 10 rpm at 20 C.).

[0285] The paint composition was applied to a section of the metallic surface of a car bonnet using the aerosol spray. The paint composition was touch dry within 10 minutes, hardened with 1 hour and fully dry in 12 hours. The paint coating remained on the car bonnet within the confines of a garage for 24 hours. After that period, the liquid remover composition was applied using a cloth to the car bonnet, left for 6 minutes, and the bonnet then wiped using the cloth. The bonnet was then rinsed with a water spray to remove the remover composition and paint coating. On visual inspection, all traces of the paint coating had been removed, and no difference could be discerned between the section of the bonnet which had been painted and the section of the bonnet which had not been painted.

Example 2

[0286] A series of tests was conducted by repeating the procedure of Example 1 and leaving the paint coating on a metallic surface for longer periods of up to several months. The same result was observed for all time periods: the paint coating was completely removable from the surface using the remover composition without any visually discernible damage to, or residue on, the metallic surface.

Example 3

[0287] A series of tests was conducted by repeating the procedure of Example 2 except that the painted car bonnet was left outside and exposed to the elements for various periods of time and in various weather conditions, including sun, rain, hail and snow. The paint coating remained on the metallic surface without any fade or damage after 7 months. As before, the paint coating was completely removable from the surface using the remover composition without any visually discernible damage to, or residue on, the metallic surface.

Example 4

[0288] A series of tests was conducted by applying four different paint types, including the paint composition of Example 1 and all according to the present invention, to metallic substrates at temperatures ranging from 5 C. to 40 C. The painted surfaces were then subjected to 600 hrs exposure in an accelerated weatherometer (QUV), which is equivalent to 2 years external environmental exposure. In all cases, complete removability of the temporary paint coating was observed without any visually discernible damage to, or residue on, the surface.

Example 5

[0289] A further series of experiments corresponding to Example 1 was conducted using glass, ceramic and plastic substrates (PVC, polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene). In each case, the same result as in Example 1 was observed.

[0290] Various thicknesses of paint coating were used in these experiments, and determined by micrometer measurement to be from about 300 to about 600 m in thickness.

Example 6

[0291] Example 1 was repeated using a white pigment component, prepared using a pigment dispersion having approximately 68 wt % pigment, 22 wt % resin base, 3 wt % co-solvent, and 7 wt % functional additive(s). The performance of the paint composition and aerosol matched that of Example 1.

Example 7

[0292] Example 1 was repeated except that the aerosol comprised 30 wt % paint composition, 35 wt % acetone and 35 wt % propane propellant. The performance of the paint composition and aerosol matched that of Example 1.

Example 8

[0293] A series of tests was conducted to assess the removability of the paint system of the present invention when applied over a variety of painted substrates, and over a prolonged period of time when subjected to exterior weathering, as well as to accelerated weathering under QUV conditions in a weatherometer. In order to simulate different climatic conditions, the removal of the paint from the various substrates was performed at low temp (4 C.), ambient temp (15 C.) and high temp (40 C.).

[0294] Thus, four conventional paints covering a broad spectrum of commonly used paint finishes were used to prepare test panels of a painted substrate. The conventional paints were: [0295] (i) Single pack acrylic-based car spray paint (Halfords Diamond White) [0296] (ii) Nitrocellulose [0297] (iii) 2-pack acrylic-based car spray paint (OEM auto finish) [0298] (iv) Alkyd-based enamel (Hammerite).

[0299] Each of these four test paints was then directly coated on degreased and finely abraded mild steel Q panels to prepare test painted substrates, each coated with one coat of one of the test paints. Once coated, the painted panels were left to fully dry and harden for 7 days. A section (about two thirds of the surface area) of each of the painted panels was then over-coated by spraying with the paint composition of the present invention. A section (about one half) of the over-coated section was then over-coated with a second coat of the paint composition of the present invention, in order to allow an assessment of the removability of varying thicknesses of the paint composition. The prepared panels were then left for 7 days before the removability tests began.

[0300] A first set of test panels was placed in an accelerated weatherometer (QUV) and exposed to a standard cycle of UV, heat, moisture for 200, 400, 600 & 800 hours respectively.

[0301] A second set of test panels was placed outside on a south facing rig at a 45 angle and left to face the elements. Panels were tested for ease of removability after 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months.

[0302] Removability of the paint composition of the present invention was assessed by applying the remover composition described hereinabove, using a 1 (approx. 2.54 cm) paint brush to three strips of each test panel in the sections where one and two coats of the paint composition of the present invention had been applied. Each panel was tested three times for paint removal: at 5 C.; at ambient temperature (approx. 17 C.); and 40 C., in order to mimic a variety of climatic conditions for paint removal, i.e. removal in winter, mild and hot sunny conditions. The time taken (in minutes () and seconds ()) to remove the paint and degree of removal was recorded. The results are presented in Tables 1 to 4 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 painted substrate = single pack acrylic-based car spray paint Low temp (5 C.) Ambient temp (17 C.) High temp (40 C.) 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats (a) QUV Tests 200 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 400 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 600 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 150 40 145 <15 <50 800 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 55 150 45 150 <15 <50 (b) Exterior Tests 1 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 135 25 130 <10 <30 3 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 142 30 130 <10 <30 6 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 43 150 35 135 <10 <45 12 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 150 40 145 <15 <50 18 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 <2 40 150 <15 <50

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 painted substrate = Nitrocellulose paint Low temp (5 C.) Ambient temp (17 C.) High temp (40 C.) 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats (a) QUV Tests 200 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 400 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 600 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 150 40 145 <15 <50 800 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 55 <2 45 <2 <15 <50 (b) Exterior Tests 1 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 135 25 130 <10 <30 3 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 145 25 138 <10 <30 6 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 145 35 145 <10 <45 12 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 150 40 150 <15 <50 18 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 <2 40 <2 <15 <50

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 painted substrate = 2-pack acrylic spray paint Low temp (5 C.) Ambient temp (17 C.) High temp (40 C.) 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats (a) QUV Tests 200 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 400 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 600 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 140 30 130 <15 <50 800 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 <2 35 140 <15 <50 (b) Exterior Tests 1 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 3 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 34 134 25 130 <10 <30 6 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 140 30 130 <10 <30 12 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 140 30 130 <15 <50 18 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 <2 40 150 <15 <50

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 painted substrate = Alkyd-based enamel paint Low temp (5 C.) Ambient temp (17 C.) High temp (40 C.) 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats 1 Coat 2 Coats (a) QUV Tests 200 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 400 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 130 25 130 <10 <30 600 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 140 40 145 <15 <50 800 Hrs QUV % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 55 150 45 150 <15 <50 (b) Exterior Tests 1 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 35 135 25 130 <10 <30 3 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 40 140 40 140 <10 <30 6 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 43 150 35 135 <10 <45 12 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 150 40 145 <15 <50 18 Month Exterior % Removal 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Exposure Time taken 45 <2 40 150 <15 <50

[0303] The results demonstrate that after up to 800 hours of accelerated ageing (QUV exposure), both the single-coated and the double-coated layers of the paint composition of the present invention are completely removable from all four of the painted test substrates, and at all temperatures tested. Corresponding results are obtained after 18 months of exterior exposure.

[0304] The temperature at which removal is conducted marginally affects the removal time, with the general trend being that removal takes slightly longer at lower temperature and with greater thickness of the coating of the paint composition of the present invention. Typically a single coat of paint was fully removable at high temperature within 10 to 15 seconds, whereas a double coat of paint was fully removable at low temperature within 1 minute 40 seconds to 2 minutes.

[0305] No damage was observed on any of the painted substrates after removal of the paint composition of the present invention.

[0306] The paint composition of the present invention remained adhered to the test substrates without peeling or flaking for the duration of the weathering period.

[0307] The paint composition of the present invention also acted as a barrier coat to the painted substrates, i.e. when the paint composition was removed, the underlying surface generally remained in very good condition compared to the sections of the panels which had not been covered with a paint composition of the present invention and which had been subjected to weathering.

[0308] In summary, the paint composition of the present invention is suitable for application to a variety of different painted substrates and remains intact for a prolonged period of time and when exposed to a variety of weather conditions. The paint was removable when required under various temperatures and film thicknesses without causing damage to the underlying film.