AU2004202844A1 - Contaminant removal preparation and method - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

IP Australia 2 8 JUN 2004

BRIS

Invention Title: CONTAMINANT REMOVAL PREPARATION AND METHOD The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: This invention relates to the application of coatings to motor vehicle body work, and in particular relates to preparations used to prepare such body work for coating with automotive paint, and to methods of applying such preparations.

One of the major problems encountered by persons such as spray painters, who are involved in spray-painting vehicle body panels, is caused by residual contaminants such as silicone, wax, grease and oil left on and/or in the paintwork on such panels.

The silicone and wax may result from the prior application of motor vehicle polish to the panel, most of which polishes include silicone.

It is believed that at least some silicone from car polishes does not remain on the surface of the automotive paint. The mechanism of the relationship between the paint and the silicone is not understood, but it is believed that silicone migrates into and through the paint, often locating in the barrier between the metal of a panel and the paint.

That suggested relationship between silicone and automotive finishes may help to explain the effect of silicone on re-spraying motor vehicle panels. In any event, the existence of silicone on and/or in automotive paintwork does make it difficult if not impossible for an excellent result to be achieved when such paintwork is re-sprayed.

If an untreated panel, new or second-hand, or a body part of plastics material, to which silicone has been applied through an automotive polish, is spray-painted, the result will be unsatisfactory. The applied paint will have what is known as a "fish eyes" or "orange peel" (a description of the visual appearance) pattern on its surface. That is a kind of beading which is far from the smooth, homogenous finish that is desired.

There are on the Australian market two types of preparations intended to assist in the removal of contaminants such as silicone from automotive paintwork, prior to respraying. Such preparations are termed "prepsols", although it is noted that PREPSOL is the registered trade mark of PPG Industries Australia Pty. Ltd. under no. 631747, for "Cleaning solvents and degreasing solvents" in class 3.

Exemplary brands of prepsols are WATTYL (Trade Mark), ICI DULUX (Trade Marks) and PROTEC (Trade Mark). The prepsols come in two forms, a spirit solvent which is not soluble in water, and a water-soluble preparation, which latter alternative is not used in the trade in Australia. Normally, to prepare an automotive panel for re-spraying, the surface is first roughened by the use of emery paper or the like. With a silicone-affected panel, a prepsol is then used in an attempt to remove the silicone. However, conventional prepsols are ineffective in totally removing the silicone. It is believed that that is because they only act on the surface, and not against any silicone within the paintwork. As a result, the same kind of "fish eyes" effect is produced, even though the panel has been prepared.

It has been suggested that thinners be used in order to remove the silicone, but that does not appear to work, as it is believed that it traps the silicone in the paint. It has also been suggested to modify the manner in which the paint is applied, whether to paint it "dry" or "wet", but some approaches are time-consuming, and do not produce an acceptable finish.

It is an object of this invention to provide a preparation suitable for the treatment of automotive paintwork, which will enable an improved result to be obtained when respraying the paintwork.

The invention provides a preparation adapted to remove a contaminant from an article, the preparation comprising or including 2-butoxy ethanol.

The contaminant may be silicone.

Said article may be one which is to be coated.

Preferably, said article is a motor vehicle part or panel.

More preferably, said article is an item of automotive paintwork.

Preferably, said coating is an automotive finish or paint.

Preferably, said preparation is in liquid form at room temperature.

Preferably, said preparation includes 2-butoxy ethanol and water.

More preferably, said preparation also includes a surfactant and/or detergent.

Preferably, said preparation includes 2-butoxy ethanol in the proportion of between about 0.08% and about Preferably, said preparation further includes a fragrance.

Preferably, said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol 80g to 300g Water to 1,000mL More preferably, said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol 80g to 100g Water to 1,000mL Preferably, said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol about Water to 1,000mL Preferably, said fragrance is d-limonene, more preferably in the proportion 0.07%.

More preferably, said preparation has the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Surfactant Fragrance Water lg to 1,000mL Alternatively, said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Water about 6.2% Preferably, the preparation also includes a fragrance, more preferably limonene, and even more preferably limonene in the proportion 0.07%.

More preferably, said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Limonene Water Detergent 6.2% 0.07% Not Quantified Alternatively, the preparations may include a detergent and an acid or an alkaline substance, and a bleach in addition to, or in place of, said detergent.

The invention also provides a method of applying a contaminant-removing preparation in liquid form, the method including the step of applying said preparation using an application means which is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of such preparation, such that said means is able to be kept in a substantially saturated state while said preparation is being applied.

The invention also provides a preparation adapted to remove a contaminant from an article, the preparation comprising or including a terpene as an active ingredient.

The invention further provides a preparation adapted to remove a contaminant from an article, the preparation comprising or including a substance obtained from, or a synthesised version of, citrus fruit.

The contaminant may be silicone.

Said article may be one which is to be coated.

More preferably, said article is an item of automotive paintwork.

Preferably, said coating is an automotive finish or paint.

Preferably, said terpene is limonene.

More preferably, said terpene is d-limonene.

Preferably, said preparation is diluted with another substance.

More preferably, said another substance is water.

Preferably, said preparation also includes a substance to facilitate the dilution of said terpene by water.

Preferably, said preparation is in liquid form at room temperature.

Embodiments of the invention, which may be preferred, will be described in detail hereinafter.

The present invention follows the accidental and unsuspected discovery that an existing product is more effective in removing silicone and other contaminants from automotive paintwork than the previously-described products currently on the market.

It was found that a water-based preparation, in liquid form, marketed as a degreaser, is extremely effective in removing silicone from automotive paintwork which has had polish including silicone applied to it.

One example of such a water-based degreaser is marketed under the brand KENCO (Registered Trade Mark). Another example of an aqueous degreaser, which may also be effective, is described in AU-A-76949/91.

It is believed that the active ingredient in such degreasers is 2-butoxy ethanol, available as BUTYL ICINOL (ICINOL is a Registered Trade Mark of Imperial Chemical Industries Limited) from the company known as ICI Australia Pty. Ltd. 2butoxy ethanol is an alcohol, which historically has been used as a mutual solvent for "soluble" mineral oils to hold soap in solution and to improve emulsifying properties.

A preparation, consequent upon the aforementioned discovery, according to one aspect of the present invention, consists of or includes 2-butoxy ethanol, and is preferably liquid at room temperature. More preferably, a preparation may include a proportion of 2-butoxy ethanol, diluted with water.

Even more preferably, the preparation includes 2-butoxy ethanol in a proportion up to approximately 10%, with the remainder water and other constituents.

One exemplary preparation may include 2-butoxy ethanol, water and a surfactant, which may be a detergent. A fragrance may also be added.

Four embodiments of preparations in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, designated Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 and Example 4, will be described hereinafter.

Examole-1 A liquid contaminant removal preparation has the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Surfactant Water 80g to 100g to 1,000mL Example 2 A liquid contaminant removal preparation has the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Water 200g to 300g to 1,000mL Example 3 A liquid contaminant removal preparation has the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Surfactant Fragrance Water 1g to 1,OOOmL Preferably, the surfactant in Example 1 and Example 3 is one marketed under the registered trade mark GLUCOPON. More preferably, the surfactant is GLUCOPON 215 CSUP or GLUCOPON 225 CSUP. In Example 1 and Example 3, the amount of surfactant may be in the range 100g to 200g. Preferably, the fragrance is dlimonene.

Example 4 A water-based liquid contaminant removal preparation, which is in the form of a redcoloured liquid, has the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol 6.2% Limonene 0.07% Water Detergent Not Quantified The preparation of Example 1 and Example 2 has been found to be more versatile than existing products in the panel beating industry, for its use in cleaning and preparing parts such a vehicle body panels for spray-painting, especially where recycled or second-hand parts and panels are involved.

The preparation of Example 1 may be applied to a surface using the paper cloth conventionally used in the panel beating/spray-painting trade. However, it has been found that results are improved when a paper which is capable of absorbing more of the preparation is used. One example of such paper is toilet tissue. It is believed that the best method of applying the preparation is to use an applicator which may be saturated with the preparation, as one finds when an applicator such as toilet tissue is used.

Similarly, the surfactant-free preparation of Example 2, may be used with conventional trade paper or more absorbent paper such as toilet tissue. Results are excellent with the 2-butoxy ethanol at the upper level of the range of 300g, but it is considered that the preparation of Example 1 is more versatile, in that it is more effective is uses other than mere silicone removal. It is felt that Example 2 preparations would be more useful when employed as a last treatment immediately before painting the object in question, especially is cases of severe contamination.

The preparations of Example 3 and Example 4 have been found ion tests to be much more effective in preparing automotive paintwork surfaces which have been contaminated with silicone, than existing preparations. It is applied, normally after the previously-described surface roughening, to the surface, and after the surface is dry, paint is sprayed onto the surface. The results have been much improved over those produced after conventional surface treatments. No "fish eye" surface distortions have been noticed.

A method of applying the preparation of this invention, including the preparations of Examples 1 to 4, may involve applying the preparation from a container to a clean, soft cloth, and then swabbing the surface of the particular article with the preparation. Cross contamination should be avoided by minimising the contact of the cloth with the preparation. For that reason it is recommended that the preparation be sprayed or otherwise applied directly to the surface.

Application or distribution using the cloth should be on small areas, preferably commencing at the top of the article and working down, keeping the surface wet.

Each completed area should be dried off with another clean cloth. The preparation should not be allowed to dry out on the surface. For problem areas and to ensure complete removal of contamination the application procedure should be carried out a number of times, preferably two or three times.

For areas requiring extra attention, the preparation may be diluted, for example in a bucket of water, and applied to the surface during sanding. The preparation has properties such that it allows ease of sanding by lubricating the surface and will ensure that contamination is minimised throughout the procedure. The surface should be wiped down with the preparation prior to painting.

Comparative testing has been carried out using the preparation according to the present invention (in particular that of Example 1) against a standard prepsol and against the SPIES HECKER (Registered Trade Mark) "Permahyd Hydro" product.

The testing was carried out at a temperature above 20 o Substrates were coated with silicone-based polish and Armorall (Trade Mark). Sections of the panel were marked and prepared according to the directions of use for each product. One substrate was not subject to preparation, as a control.

The various substrates were acrylic paint, 2K, 2K Clear, plastics material and enamel. In each case, the contaminant removal rate using the standard prepsol and the SPIES HECKER product was 50%, whereas with the preparation of this invention the removal rate was 80% to Testing of the preparation has included a standard adhesion test of the finished paint surface, application with silicone-impregnated panels at varying ages and conditions, and with porous and non-porous surfaces. surfaces treated with the preparation of this invention exhibit less "orange peel" and other defects than the other products.

Similar results were obtained using diesel fuel contamination of surfaces, using SPIES HECKER specifications.

It can be seen that this invention provides an improved preparation for the removal of silicone and other contaminants from surfaces such as automotive paintwork prior to re-spraying.

Alternative, effective, silicone removal preparations may include water, a detergent, and an acid or an alkaline element. There may be, additionally or as a replacement for the detergent, a bleach.

The preparation according to the present invention may also be used for purposes other than silicone removal.

D-limonene has been mentioned as a fragrance in certain Examples of a preparation according to the present invention. It has subsequently also been discovered that limonene per se as an active ingredient, is also effective in cleaning automotive panels.

Limonene (also known as dipentene and p-mentha-diene) is an unsaturated liquid terpene, C 10

H

16 which is produced from the peel of citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarins as a by-product of the citrus juice industry. When oranges or other citrus fruit are crushed for juice extraction, orange or citrus oil is produced from the peel of the fruit.

One form of limonene which may be particularly effective in cleaning and preparing automotive panels and/or paintwork is d-limonene, although it is felt that I-limonene or other terpenes, may also be effective.

As terpenes are hydrocarbons, they cannot be diluted by water. It has been found that limonene and water do not in practice mix. It may be possible to use a suspension of limonene or another terpene as a cleaning preparation, with the suspension being shaken before use. However, it may be desired to produce a preparation which includes a diluted form of terpene such as d-limonene. If that dilution is to be by water, then it is envisaged that a further component of the preparation may be required to facilitate the admixture of the terpene and water.

It can be seen that this invention provides an improved preparation for the removal of silicone and other contaminants from surfaces such as automotive paintwork prior to re-spraying.

The preparation according to the present invention may also be used for purposes other than silicone removal.

The entire contents of the specification and drawing of Australian complete patent application no. 30125/00 as filed on 26 April 2000, are hereby incorporated into this specification.

The claims form part of the disclosure of this specification.

Claims (19)

1. A preparation adapted to remove a contaminant from an article, the preparation comprising or including 2-butoxy ethanol.

2. A preparation according to claim 1, characterised in that said contaminant may be silicone.

3. A preparation according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that said article may be one which is to be coated.

4. A preparation according to any preceding claim characterised in that said article is a motor vehicle part or panel.

5. A preparation according to claim 4, characterised in that said article is an item of automotive paintwork.

6. A preparation according to claim 5, characterised in that said coating is an automotive finish or paint.

7. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation is in liquid form at room temperature.

8. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation includes 2-butoxy ethanol and water.

9. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation also includes a surfactant and/or detergent.

10. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation includes 2-butoxy ethanol in the proportion of between about 0.08% and about

11. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation further includes a fragrance.

12. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol 80g to 300g Water to 1,000mL

13. A preparation according to claim 12, characterised in that said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol 80g to 100g Water to 1,000mL

14. A preparation according to claim 13, characterised in that said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol about Water to 1,000mL

15. A preparation according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterised in that said fragrance is d-limonene.

16. A preparation according to claim 15, characterised in that said d-limonene is in the proportion 0.07%.

17. A preparation according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said preparation has the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol Surfactant Fragrance 1g Water to 1,000mL

18. A preparation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol about 6.2% Water

19. A preparation according to claim 18, characterised in that said preparation also includes a fragrance, more preferably limonene. A preparation according to claim 19, characterised in that said limonene is in the proportion 0.07%.

1021. A preparation according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterised in that said preparation includes the following constituents: 2-butoxy ethanol 6.2% Limonene 0.07% Water Detergent Not Quantified 22. A preparation according to claim 19 or claim 20, characterised in that said preparation may include a detergent and an acid or an alkaline substance, and a bleach in addition to, or in place of, said detergent. 23. A method of applying a contaminant-removing preparation in liquid form, the method including the step of applying said preparation using an application means which is capable of absorbing a substantial amount of such preparation, such that said means is able to be kept in a substantially saturated state while said preparation is being applied. 24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said application means is a paper-type product or the like. 24. A method according to claim 24, wherein said paper-type product is toilet paper or a similar product. A preparation adapted to remove a contaminant form an article, substantially as herein described with reference to the Examples. 26. A method of applying a contaminant-removing preparation, substantially as herein described with reference to the Examples. DATED this 27 June 2004 JOHN CHRISTIANSEN Patent Attorney for the Applicant: TADDEO PAUL CASSAR