AU734993B1 - Body moulding solution - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: MMZ SOLUTIONS PTY LTD A.C.N. 058 340 499 Invention Title: BODY MOULDING SOLUTION The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 BODY MOULDING SOLUTION The invention concerns the repair of motor vehicles, boats, caravans and like conveyances which have body mouldings. Body mouldings are strips of rubber, metallic or painted embellishments which are fitted to the exterior surfaces of the conveyance and which often have the added function of providing a degree of protection from damage which would otherwise occur from bumping or similar light contact against the exterior surface. Such body mouldings are generally fitted with a double sided adhesive tape. The adhesive used is of sufficient gripping power to prevent easy removal of the moulding from the conveyance, but which provides maximum adherence between the moulding and the tape itself, to thus enable the moulding to be peeled from the conveyance while the tape remains adhered to the moulding.

In the repair of conveyances such as motor vehicles, the body moulding is generally the first item to be removed from the damaged panel. The moulding is often suitable for re-use once the panel has been fixed and refitted. However, before the moulding can be reused, the double sided adhesive tape must be removed. This is usually a time consuming and expensive operation. There are basically four ways of doing this, viz by grinding, using a solvent, hot blowing or using a razor blade or a thumb.

Grinding with a grinding wheel can frequently damage the moulding or leave a bad surface on the moulding which means that the moulding cannot be properly re-fitted and is subject to falling off. Grinding is, furthermore, a messy and polluting operation and requires the use of a solvent to clean the area which has been ground. Solvents are not only a safety hazard due to fire and fumes, but can only be used on non-painted mouldings. Overall, grinding is a time consuming and expensive operation.

H: \MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ-doc 1/06/00 3 The use of solvents per se is often resorted to in order to prevent any damage to the moulds occurring.

large quantities have to be applied to be effective which results in wastage, as a good portion cannot be re-used, and they are a high fire risk. It is also a messy operation requiring a large work area, and operators get their hands covered in glue and solvent. Furthermore, as mentioned above, solvents are limited in their use to nonpained mouldings since they tend to damage paint.

Hot blowers are machines used to heat the adhesive strip to soften the adhesive and thereby permit the strip to be pulled from the moulding. Such blowers are expensive and frequently damage the moulding. Hot blowers are not in wide use.

Scraping with a razor blade or thumb has the disadvantage that the operator can end up with blisters or cut fingers. It is also a time consuming process and therefore expensive.

In our earlier US patents, patent numbers 5,376,299 and 5,780,408, we disclosed a solution for use in removing double sided adhesive tape from mouldings used on motor vehicles and the like characterised in that it contained -a refined petroleum product such as kerosene as the base, oil of turpentine and an oil-based surface active agent as well as optional additives selected from deodorizing agents, perfumes, colourants and inert liquid extenders. While satisfactory for the double sided adhesive tapes available at that time, which in general were NEOPRENE rubber with a suitable adhesive applied thereto, the solution disclosed therein has not been suitable for removing the new generation of double sided tapes manufactured from acrylic foam. Typical of these is the new 3M VHB double sided tape. It was also found that the solution disclosed in the abovementioned US patents under normal workshop conditions could cause swelling of hollow cavity body mouldings and cause damage to the paintwork on painted body mouldings. Moreover, the H: \MaraP.R\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 1/06/00 4 solutions disclosed therein are volatile and both oil of turpentine and kerosene have a low flash point, hence these solutions represent a hazard when used in the workplace.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a new manner of removing the double sided adhesive tape from motor vehicle and like mouldings, which obviates or at least minimises the aforementioned disadvantages. The present invention achieves this through the provision of a solution for use in removing the double sided adhesive tape from mouldings and which, at least in preferred forms, has the further property of conditioning the moulding for re-use. The solution comprises an admixture of ingredients which synergistically function to give the desired properties and advantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a solution for use in removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance and/or rejuvenating said body moulding, said solution comprising: 50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 50 0

C;

2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a solution comprising: 50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 0 c; S H: \MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 19/04,01 uJ C i Uv O 5 2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base; 2) immersing said body moulding in said solution for a predetermined time; and 3) removing said adhesive tape from said body moulding.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of repairing a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: 1) removing an intact body moulding from a damaged portion of said motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said body moulding having been previously secured thereto with adhesive tape; 2) immersing said body moulding in a solution comprising: 50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 0

C;

2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base; for a predetermined time; 3) removing said adhesive tape from said body moulding; and replacing said body moulding upon the nowrepaired motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an adhesive tape-free body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance when adhesive tape has been removed from said body moulding through contact with a solution comprising: 50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base H:\MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZdoc 19/04/01 6 including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 0

C;

2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of rejuvenating a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a solution comprising: 50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 0

C;

2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base; and 2) immersing said body moulding with said solution for a predetermined time.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a body moulding from a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance when rejuvenated through contact with a solution comprising: 50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 50 0

C;

2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a motor vehicle when repaired by a method according to the third aspect of the H:\MaraR\{eep\Speci\P38417-MMZ-doc 19/04/01 7 invention.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a motor vehicle with rejuvenated body mouldings when said body mouldings are rejuvenated by a process according to the fifth aspect of the invention.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing a solution for use in removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance and/or rejuvenating said body moulding, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a hydrocarbon base including by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 50 0 C, oil of eucalyptus and, optionally, a diluent for said hydrocarbon base; and 2) mixing 50-98% by weight of said hydrocarbon base, 2-40% by weight of said oil of eucalyptus and, if present, up to 10% by weight of said diluent.

Preferably the hydrocarbon base is kerosene modified by the inclusion of 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 50 0

C.

Typically the aromatic hydrocarbons are C6-10 aromatics, preferably C 6 aromatics i.e. benzene and substituted benzenes. One suitable product is the Shell Australia product MEXCUT-H which comprises 80% paraffins and naphthenes and 20% aromatics, and this level of aromatics, or higher, is advantageous. This product is a white liquid with a typical hydrocarbon odour, an IBP of 198 0 C and a FBP of 240 0 C, a vapour pressure of 0.02kPa at 0 C, a specific gravity of 0.80 at 15 0 C, a flash point of 78°C and is registered under CAS Number 64742-96-7. The concentration of aromatics in the hydrocarbon base may be boosted through addition of a predominantly aromatic mixture such as that in the Shell Australia product SHELLSOL AB, which comprises around 97-99% aromatic hydrocarbons with the remainder being paraffins and H:\MaraP.\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 19/04/01 8 naphthenes. This product is a colourless liquid with an aromatic odour and has an IBP of 175 0 C, an FBP of 215 0 C, a vapour pressure of 0.15kPa at 20°C, a specific gravity of 0.89 at 15 0 C and a flash point of 66.0 0

C.

Preferably, the solution comprises 90-96% hydrocarbon base.

Suitable diluents for said hydrocarbon base include glycols such as propylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

Particularly preferred is propylene glycol, which is typically present in an amount of 2-8% by weight.

Oil of eucalyptus is a light yellow to colourless liquid with a strong eucalyptus odour. It is slowly volatile at 100 0 C, but completely volatile at higher temperatures. It has a flash point of 43 0 C, a specific gravity of 0.90-0.92 approx. at 25 0 C, a refractive index of 1.458 to 1.470 at 25 0 C and a specific rotation of +100 at 25 0 C. It is registered under CAS Number 80000-48-4.

Advantageously, the solution comprises 4-8% oil of eucalyptus.

Optionally the solution described above may further comprise a surface active agent, preferably a vegetable oil such as castor oil or linseed oil.

Mouldings which can be treated with the immediately preceding mixture include modified polypropylene, soft and flexible polyurethane, polyamine, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polycarbonate, polyphenylene-oxide, polymer, and polybutyleneterephthalate-polymer mouldings.

In a typical use, the body moulding with the double sided adhesive tape is immersed in a container of the solution and let stand for at least three hours. The body moulding is then removed from the solution and the double sided tape is peeled off by hand on one action.

The moulding is then dried with a rag and a new double sided adhesive tape is applied prior to refixing the moulding to the vehicle.

H: \MaraP.\Keep\Speci\P38417-MZ.doc 19/04/01 9 The solution is reusable, wastage is negligible, the moulding is reconditioned and the moulding remains undamaged. There is also a lower fire risk than with conventional solvents or those disclosed in US Patent Nos.

5,376,299 and 5,780,408, and minimal time is involved by the operator as he can be attending to other matters while the solution is working.

The surface active agent, where used, is selected to reduce the interfacial tension between the refined petroleum product and the eucalyptus oil, while promoting a sheen on the product to which it is applied. To this end, products such as vegetable oils having similar properties to linseed and castor oils, are preferred. The most preferred surfactant is castor oil itself. Castor oil is a non-drying oil having a specific gravity of 0.945-0.965 at 25 0 C, a saponification value of 178, iodine value 85. Fp-10 0 C, a flash point of 229 0 C, and an autoignition temperature of 448 0

C.

Advantageously, there is a perfume additive present in the composition. The preferred perfumes are GUMLEAF AROMATICS/PINEAPPLE FRAGRANCE (manufactured by Gumleaf Aromatics Australia Pty Ltd), KEROMASK (manufactured by Quest International), teatree oil, eucalyptus oil and DEODALL no. 1 (manufactured by Givaudan-Roure Pty Limited, Australia). These products mask a wide range of odours and are particularly suitable for masking kerosene odours. DEODALL NO. 1 comprises a complex proprietary mixture of fragrance materials and has a specific gravity of 0.875 at 25 0 C, a refractive index of 1.473 at 20 0 C and a flash point of 100 0 C. Other conventional additives which may be used include dyes for colouring the solution to make it visible, deodorant compounds, and inert extenders.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, in the following examples.

4C LU H:\MaraP\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 19/04/01 17 10 COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 93% by weight of kerosene; by weight of oil of turpentine; 2% by weight of castor oil; 0.01% by weight perfume (DEODALL NO. 1); approx. 0.01% by weight red dye.

The solution was poured into a trough with a cover and then a body moulding was immersed in the solution. In this experiment body mouldings made of polycarbonate, soft polyurethane and polyamide were tested. In each case 3M brand VHB tape had been applied to the body moulding, and after a ten hour period of immersion could not be removed from the moulding without resorting to the use of other solvents. In addition, there was damage to some mouldings.

Further examples were carried out using mixtures with the above stated ingredients in the following proportions: 80-97% by weight of kerosene; 2-15% by weight of oil of turpentine; 1-10% by weight of castor oil.

In each case the result was as above. A perfume and dye were added to each of these solutions.

It is to be particularly noted that soft polyurethane and hollow cavity moulds were damaged used these mixtures. It is believed that this is because the mixture is relatively ineffective in removing VHB tape and so the moulding must be soaked for a substantial period of time, over which time the moulding bends and swells.

H:\MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 1i06/00 11 COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 A hydrocarbon base comprising 80% paraffins and naphthenes and 20% aromatics sold by the Shell Company of Australia as MEXCUT-H was poured into a trough with a cover. A range of body mouldings with 3M brand VHB double sided tape adhered thereto were immersed for a 10 hour period. At the end of the 10 hour period, the body mouldings were removed from the solution and checked but the VHB tape could not be removed. The body mouldings tested in this example were made of polypropylene, polyamide and polycarbonate. From this example it will be appreciated that MEXCUT-H on its own is not a suitable solvent for 3M brand VHB tape.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 In this example the effect of a diluent upon the hydrocarbon base is examined. A mixture of 95% by weight MEXCUT-H and 5% by weight propylene glycol was prepared and poured into a trough with a cover. A body moulding with 3M brand VHB tape adhered thereto was immersed in this mixture and checked every hour for a 10 hour period.

At the end of this time, the moulding was removed from the solution and checked, but it was found that the VHB tape could not be removed from the moulding. Various mixtures of MEXCUT-H containing 80-97% by weight of that material and a corresponding amount of propylene glycol were prepared, but none successfully removed 3M brand VHB tape from the body mouldings tested. In this example the same range of body mouldings as used in Comparative Example 2 were tested.

H: \Mara\Keep\Speci\P38417-MZ.doc 1/06/00 12 COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4 In this example the effect of boosting the level of aromatics in the hydrocarbon base without addition of eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil is examined. A mixture of 94% MEXCUT-H and 6% SHELLSOL AB was prepared and a body moulding with 3M brand VHB double sided tape adhered thereto was immersed in the mixture in the manner described previously. The adhesive tape could not be removed under a 12 to 15 hour period.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE In this example the effect of a very high level of aromatics in the hydrocarbon base is examined. A mixture of 94% SHELLSHOL AB and 6% MEXCUT-H was prepared and a body moulding immersed in the manner described above. The mixture did remove 3M brand VHB tape but caused damage to the painted body moulding as it softened both the paintwork and the soft plastic mouldings. A soaking time of 10 to 15 hours was required to remove the double sided tape.

H:\MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 1/06/00 13 EXAMPLE 1 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 80% by weight MEXCUT-H; by weight oil of eucalyptus.

Body mouldings made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, soft polyurethane and polyamide were immersed in the solution. Each of the body mouldings had 3M brand VHB double sided adhesive tape adhered thereto prior to immersion. It took a 12 hour period to remove the VHB tape, but it was able to be removed at the end of this period. While a 12 hour period is undesirably long for use in the workshop, this example demonstrates that the presence of a diluent such as propylene glycol is advantageous but not critical to the working of the invention.

EXAMPLE 2 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 94% by weight of MEXCUT-H; 4% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

The solution was poured into a trough with a cover and the same range of body mouldings as in Example 1, having 3M brand VHB double sided adhesive tape adhered thereto, were totally immersed in a solution. The moulding was checked every hour for a 12 hour period, after which time the body moulding was removed from the solution and examined. The VHB tape could be more easily removed at the end of the 12 hour period than the corresponding Example 1 in which a diluent was not used.

H: \MaraP\Keep\Speci\P38417-1MZ.doc 1/06/00 14 EXAMPLE 3 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 60% by weight MEXCUT-H; by weight oil of eucalyptus; by weight propylene glycol.

The body mouldings identified in Example 1 were immersed in this solution and checked every hour for a 8 hour period before the tape could be removed. In each of these two examples, inspection of the moulding revealed no damage whatsoever to the moulding and indeed it was observed that the mouldings had been rejuvenated.

Furthermore, only a negligible amount of solution had been lost when the moulding was removed from the trough, and so the solution could be re-used.

EXAMPLE 4 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities using a mechanical mixer: by weight MEXCUT-H; 6% by-weight oil of eucalyptus; 9% by weight propylene glycol.

A hollow cavity body, polyurethane moulding was immersed in this solution and checked every hour for a 7 hour period. The 3M brand VHB double sided tape which had been adhered thereto could be removed at the end of the 7 hour period but there was a slight deformation in the hollow cavity body mould. This damage was not unacceptable but this solution is not preferred.

H: \MaraP\Keep\Speci\P3841'7-MZ.doc 1/06/00 15 EXAMPLE A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 90% by weight MEXCUT-H; 8% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

A body moulding having 3M brand VHB double sided tape adhered thereto was immersed in the solution. After a 5 hour period the tape could be removed without causing any damage to the hollow cavity polyurethane body moulding or to the paintwork on the moulding.

EXAMPLE 6 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 94% by weight MEXCUT-H; 2% by weight SHELLSOL AB; 2% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

This mixture was tested on soft rubber, polyurethane and hollow cavity moulds. The relatively low level of eucalyptus oil in this mixture means that removal of VHB tape from these mouldings was slow, taking a 12 to hour period but it could be removed without damage to the mouldings.

EXAMPLE 7 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 78% by weight MEXCUT-H; by weight SHELLSOL AB; 5% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

H: \MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 1/06/00 16 Soft rubber, polyurethane and hollow cavity moulds with 3M brand VHB doubled sided tape adhered thereto were immersed in the solution and checked every hour for a period of 8 hours. The double sided tape could be removed at the end of the 8 hours.

EXAMPLE 8 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 74% by weight MEXCUT-H; by weight SHELLSOL AB; 4% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

This mixture was prepared and used as described above and tested over an 8 hour period, after which the 3M brand VHB double sided tape could be removed without the assistance of any solvents and without damage to any of the body mouldings or paintworks.

EXAMPLE 9 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 60% by weight MEXCUT-H; 34% by weight SHELLSOL AB; 4% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

It will be appreciated that this mixture has a substantially increased proportion of aromatics. The mixture removed 3M brand VHB tape from unpainted body mouldings after a 5 hour period. However, it did start to soften the painted surface on a painted polyurethane body mould after soaking for this length of time, although there was no damage to the moulding itself. Thus, while not preferred, this mixture remains acceptable.

H:\MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 1/06/00

-L

17 EXAMPLE A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: 50% by weight MEXCUT-H; by weight SHELLSOL AB; 3% by weight oil of eucalyptus; 2% by weight propylene glycol.

This mixture did remove the 3M brand VHB double sided tape from soft rubber, polyurethane and hollow cavity plastic moulds. The tape was removed in approximately half an hour less than when using the mixture of Example 9 but it had slight absorption of the fluid into the soft plastic hollow cavity mould which, while not causing any damage, means that this mixture is not preferred.

EXAMPLE 11 A solution was prepared by blending the following ingredients together in a container in the stated quantities: by weight MEXCUT-H; 24% by weight SHELLSOL AB; 6% by weight oil of eucalyptus.

This mixture was effective in removing 3M brand VHB double sided tape from a moulding but is more expensive than a mixture in which a diluent is used.

Removal of the tape may also be a little slower, and it is speculated that the cutting action of the diluent may actually allow more rapid penetration of active ingredients.

H: \MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417- MNZ.doc 1/06/00 18 EXAMPLES 12-22 Each of Examples 1-11 was repeated using a solution also containing 0.2% perfume (in this case KEROMASK, a product of Quest International) and approximately 0.01% of a red dye to give the solution colour for safety reasons. The perfume successfully masked the hydrocarbon odour but did not otherwise affect the performance of the solution. The results achieved in each of these examples was identical to that achieved in the corresponding one of Examples 1-11.

Throughout this specification and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise.

It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country.

QL L ii F \MaraR\Xeep\Speci\P38417- ThZ.doc 19/04/01

Claims (2)

1. A solution for use in removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance and/or rejuvenating said body moulding, said solution comprising:

50-98% by weight of a hydrocarbon base including 10-60% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 50 0 C; 2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus and/or tea tree oil; and 0-10% by weight of a diluent for said hydrocarbon base. 2. A solution according to claim 1 wherein the aromatic hydrocarbons are C6- 10 aromatics. 3. A solution according to claim 2 wherein the aromatic hydrocarbons are benzene and substituted benzenes. 4. A solution according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the hydrocarbon base is otherwise a mixture of paraffins and naphthenes. 5. A solution according to claim 4 wherein the hydrocarbon base comprises 80% or less paraffins and naphthenes and 20% or more aromatics. 6. A solution as claimed in claim 5 wherein the hydrocarbon base is MEXCUT-H alone or in admixture with SHELLSOL AB. 7. A solution according to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising 2-40% by weight of oil of eucalyptus. 8. A solution according to claim 7 comprising 4-8% by weight of oil of eucalyptus. H: \MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 19/04/01 20 9. A solution according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising 90-96% hydrocarbon base. A solution according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the diluent is a glycol compound. 11. A solution according to claim 10 wherein the diluent is propylene glycol or ethylene glycol. 12. A solution according to claim 11 wherein the propylene glycol is present in the composition in a proportion of 2-8% by weight. 13. A method of removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a solution according to any one of claims 1 to 12; 2) immersing said body moulding in said solution for a predetermined time; and 3) removing said adhesive tape from said body moulding. 14. A method of repairing a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: 1) removing an intact body moulding from a damaged portion of said motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said body moulding having been previously secured thereto with adhesive tape; 2) immersing said body moulding in a solution according to any one of claims 1 to 12; 3) removing said adhesive tape from said body moulding; and replacing said body moulding upon the now- repaired motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance. H: \MaraP.\Keep\Speci\38417-IMiZ.doc 1/06/00 21 An adhesive tape-free body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance when adhesive tape has been removed from said body moulding through contact with a solution according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 16. A method of rejuvenating a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a solution according to any one of claims 1 to 12; and 2) immersing said body moulding in said solution for a predetermined time. 17. A body moulding from a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance when rejuvenated through contact with a solution according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 18. A motor vehicle when repaired by a method according to claim 14. 19. A motor vehicle with rejuvenated body mouldings when said body mouldings are rejuvenated by a method according to claim 16. A method of preparing a solution for use in removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat, caravan or like conveyance and/or rejuvenating said body moulding, said method comprising the steps of: 1) providing a hydrocarbon base including by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons and having a flash point above 50 0 C, oil of eucalyptus and, optionally, a diluent for said hydrocarbon base; and H: \MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-MMZ.doc 19/04/01 22 2) mixing 50-98% by weight of said hydrocarbon base, 2-40% by weight of said oil of eucalyptus and, if present, up to 10% by weight of said diluent. 21. A solution for use in removing adhesive tape from a body moulding of a motor vehicle, boat caravan or like conveyance and/or rejuvenating said body moulding substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples, other than the Comparative Examples. Dated this 2 3 rd day of April 2001 MMZ SOLUTIONS PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia H:\MaraR\Keep\Speci\P38417-14MZ.doc 19/04/01