Clearcoat containing thermolysin-like protease for easy-cleaning of insect body stains

Abstract

Provided are processes for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein a substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.

1 . A method of facilitating the removal of a biological stain on a substrate or a coating comprising:
 providing a substrate or a coating;   associating a protease with said substrate or said coating such that said substrate or said coating is capable of enzymatically degrading a component of a biological stain.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said protease is a bacterial neutral thermolysin-like-protease from  Bacillus stearothermophilus.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the surface activity of the substrate or coating is 0.0075 units/cm 2  or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said protease is covalently attached to said substrate or to said coating. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said protease is non-covalently adhered to or admixed into said substrate or said coating. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said substrate or said coating comprises an organic crosslinkable polymer resin. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said organic crosslinkable polymer resin comprises a functional group of acetoacetate, acid, amine, carboxyl, epoxy, hydroxyl, isocyanate, silane, vinyl, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said organic crosslinkable polymer resin is aminoplasts, melamine formaldehydes, carbamates, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, epoxies, polycarbonates, alkyds, vinyls, polyamides, polyolefins, phenolic resins, polyesters, polysiloxanes, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said organic crosslinkable polymer is a hydroxyl-functionalized acrylate resin.