Activation method using modifying agent

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of activating an organic coating to enhance adhesion of the coating to a further coating and/or to other entities comprising applying a solvent and a surface chemistry and/or surface topography modifying agent to the organic coating. The invention also relates to a coated substrate having an activated coating, wherein the adhesion of the coating to a further coating and/or other entities has been enhanced by application of a solvent and a surface chemistry and/or surface topography modifying agent to the coating. The invention further relates to an activation treatment for an organic coating to enhance adhesion of the coating to a further coating and/or to other entities comprising a solvent and a surface chemistry and/or surface topography modifying agent and a method for the preparation of the activation treatment.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 applying a solvent and a surface modifying agent to a surface of an aged or inert organic coating to surface hydrolyze the surface of the aged or inert organic coating.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface modifying agent is an acid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the acid is an organic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, propanoic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the acid is an inorganic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the inorganic acid is phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the modifying agent is present in a composition with the solvent when applying the solvent and the surface modifying agent to the surface, wherein the modifying agent is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.001% to about 20% based on the total weight of the combination of solvent and agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of an organic solvent, water, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent is an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of an ester, a ketone, an alcohol, an ether, an amide, an aromatic, a halogenated solvent, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the organic solvent is an ester selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate, ethoxyethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate, tertiary butyl acetate, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ester is ethyl acetate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, water, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solvent is N-methyl pyrrolidinone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the solvent is a combination of N-methyl pyrrolidinone: ethyl acetate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aged or inert organic coating is selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, an epoxy, a polyester, a polycarbonate, an acrylic coating, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A coated substrate, comprising:
 a surface hydrolyzed organic coating disposed on a substrate, the surface hydrolyzed organic coating formed by application of a solvent and a surface modifying agent to an aged or inert organic coating; and   a further coating disposed on the surface hydrolyzed organic coating, the further coating selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, a sealant, a pin hole filler, a decal, a logo, and combination(s) thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The coated substrate of  claim 16 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a composite, a plastic, an elastomer, glass, wood, a fabric, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The coated substrate of  claim 16 , wherein the surface modifying agent is an organic acid selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, propanoic acid, malonic acid, oxalic acid, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The coated substrate of  claim 18 , wherein the aged or inert organic coating is selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane, an epoxy, a polyester, a polycarbonate, an acrylic coating, and combination(s) thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The coated substrate of  claim 18 , wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of N-methyl pyrrolidinone, ethyl acetate, and combination(s) thereof.