GB2455883A

GB2455883A - Blemish removal composition

Info

Publication number: GB2455883A
Application number: GB0721538A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Dymond
Original assignee: Tetrosyl Ltd
Current assignee: Tetrosyl Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-02
Filing date: 2007-11-02
Publication date: 2009-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-02
Also published as: GB0721538D0; GB2455883B

Abstract

A blemish removal formation intended for removing and/or masking a blemish in the form of a scratch, swirl or the like from a coloured surface, e.g. for use in removing scratches from the metallic bodywork of a car. The formulation comprises, by weight of the formulation, an admixture of: (i) 30-40% of water; (ii) 25-30% of a powder having a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6.5; (iii) 15-20% of a hydrocarbon liquid having an evaporation rate of less than 0.01 when measured in accordance with ASTM D3539 with n-butyl acetate being assigned an evaporation rate of 1; (iv) 1-5% of a soap; and (v) 0.1-5% of a pigment, said formulation having a viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs at 20{C. Preferably the abrasive powder is calcined diatomaceous earth, and the hydrocarbon liquid is comprised of C9 to C16 hydrocarbons. The soap may be comprised of salts of C12-C22 fatty acids. The composition may further incorporate hydrophobic particles, a volatile siloxane, a silicone wax, emulsifier, lubricant, preservatives, and biocides.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. ...* PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB072 1538.7 RTM Date:23 April 2009 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

SHELLSOL

GEMSPERSE

SYLFAT

VISCALEX

ACTICIDE

lEG OTOP Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Palent Office www ipo gov uk

BLEMISH REMOVAL FORMULATION

The present invention relates to a blemish removal formulation intended for removing and/or masking a blemish in the form of a scratch, swirl or the like (hereinafter referred to generally as a scratch) from a coloured surface. The formulation in intended particularly (but not necessarily exclusively) for use in removing scratches from painted metal, e.g. the metallic bodywork of a car, van, lorry or similar motorised vehicle.

The metallic bodywork of motorised vehicles may become scratched for a whole variety of reasons. It is, of course, possible for scratches to be removed (and therefore the bodywork made good) by a specialist vehicle bodywork repairer.

However the owner of the vehicle may feel that the expense of a specialist repair is not justified. This might particularly be the case where the scratch is relatively light (albeit visible to the naked eye) and/or the vehicle is relatively old.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a scratch removal formulation which is in the form of a "do-it-yourself' product and which enables the above disadvantages to be obviated or mitigated.

According to the present invention there is provided a scratch removal formulation comprising by weight of the formulation an admixture of: (i) 30-40% of water, (ii) 25-30% of a powder having a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6.5, (iii) 15-20% of a hydrocarbon liquid having an evaporation rate of less than 0.01 when measured in accordance with ASTM D3539 with n- butyl acetate being assigned an evaporation rate of 1, (iv) 1-5% of a soap, and (vii) 0.1-5% of a pigment, said formulation having a viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs at 20°C.

Unless otherwise stated, all viscosities as referred to herein are measured using a Brookfield DV-I viscometer using spindle TC at 10 rpm and 2 0°C.

Formulations in accordance with the invention may be used for the removal of scratches from various coloured surfaces, particularly painted metal surfaces although may also be used for other coloured surfaces such as plastics and ceramics. The formulation is particularly useful for removing and/or masking such scratches on painted metal surfaces where the "top-coat" of paint is underplayed by a lower coat (e.g. primer) of different colour. The formulation has particular application for the removal of scratches from the painted metal bodywork of motorised vehicles.

In use, the formulation is applied to the scratched surface and rubbed over the scratch, ideally using a circular motion. By virtue of having a Moh's hardness of 5.5- 6.5, the powder (i.e. component (ii) above) abrades the surface of the substrate at and around the scratch so that this surface, rather than having an abrupt transition at the edge of the scratch, becomes "smoothed-out" with the result that the visual appearance of the scratch is removed, or at least substantially reduced. Furthermore, the presence of the pigment (i.e. component (vii) above in the formulation is deposited over the area to which the scratch removal formulation is applied and therefore serves to mask (what may well be) the different colour of the underlying substrate to which the paintwork had been applied. Clearly the pigment will be of the same or similar colour to the surface being repaired.

Although specific reference has been made to the function of the powder having a Moh's hardness of 5.5-6.5 and the pigment, other features of the formulation as defined above or significant in the function of the product. In particular, the viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs means that the formulation is of the appropriate "thickness" for rubbing over and around the blemish. The water and the organic liquid together provide a solvent/dispersion system which evaporates relatively slowly so as to allow sufficient time for the formulation to be applied over and around the blemish before the formulation dries. The soap which has the function of acting as a lubricant to prevent the abrasive powder (i.e. component (ii) above) forming additional scratches on the surface since this would obviously be counter-productive.

Additionally the water and organic liquid can serve as solvents for components of the formulation (including preferred components to be discussed below).

The abrasive powder will typically have a Moh's hardness of about 6 and/or will be present in the formulation in an amount of 26-30% by weight.

The average particle size of the powder will suitable be in the range of 40- 50zm, ideally about 454um.

Most suitably, the abrasive powder is a flux calcined diatomaceous earth, e.g. as available under the trade mark SUPER FLOSS (available from Celite, France).

The organic liquid that is used as component (iii) of the formulation is one having an evaporation rate of less than 0.01 as compared to a standard of n-butyl acetate equalling I when evaporation rate is measured in accordance with A.STM D3539. As indicated above, this value for the evaporation rate ensures that the formulation remains "fluid" for an appropriate length of time during application to a surface to remove a blemish. Ideally the evaporation rate will be less than 0.005 on the basis as described. Typically the organic liquid will predominately comprise hydrocarbo in the C9 to C16 range. One suitable organic liquid is PETSOL Dl00 as available for Samuel Banner & Co. Ltd (this solvent being described in their literature as being mainly comprised of C9 to C16). A further suitable solvent is SHELLSOL DI 00 available from Shell Chemicals. This latter solvent is described as consisting predominately ofCl3-C14 paraffins and naphthenes.

The amount of the organic liquid in the formulation is preferably in the range 17.5-19.5% by weight.

Formulations in accordance with the invention contain a total of 1-5% (preferably 3-4%) by weight of soap which, as indicated above, serves to act as a lubricant to prevent the abrasive powder forming additional scratches. The soap may be comprised at least predominately of salts of Cl 2-C22 fatty acids. In preferred embodiments of the invention the soap is comprised predominately of salts of oleic acid. The cation (which will generally be monovalent) in the soap may for example be derived from a nitrogen-containing hetrocyclic compound such as morpholine. As described more fully below, the soap may be formed in situ during production of the formulation from a source of oleic acid and morpholine. A suitable source of oleic acid is Tall Oil Fatty Acid, e.g. having a rosin content of about 2%.

Typically the soap will be present in the formulation in an amount of 3-4% by weight. Suitable Tall Fatty Acid is available under the designation Sylfat 2 (ex Mead-King, Robinson & Co. Ltd).

With regard to the pigment, the primary consideration is the colour rather than the chemical nature thereof. Therefore a wide variety of different "chemical types" of pigment may be used. Suitable examples are available from Gemini Dispersions Ltd under the designation "GemSperse". It will of course be appreciated that the particular colour required for the formulation of the invention may be provided either by a single pigment of the appropriate colour or by a mixture of pigments. Thus, for example, a "green" formulation in accordance with the invention may be obtained using a mixture of yellow and blue pigments.

Ideally a dispersant is used to ensure that the pigment is uniformly distributed throughout the formulation. Pigments as supplied, for example, under the GemSperse already incorporate a suitable dispersing agent.

Formulations in accordance with the invention incorporate a thickening agent so as to provide a final viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs, (preferably 33,000-48,000 cPs). Conveniently the thickening agent is one that develops the requisite viscosity when neutralised to a pH of 7-10. The thickener may, for example, be a synthetic, alkali swellable, acrylic emulsion polymer, e.g. as available from Synthron under the designation PROX A616U or VISCAI,EX PL3O available from Ciba Speciality Chemicals. As described more fully below, the preferred method of manufacturing the formulation involves production of a batch having a pH of all components for the formulation except the thickener, this batch having a pH of 7.5- 10 (as provided by a base used for in situ soap formulation) so that when added to the batch (pH 7.5-10) the thickener is neutralised ad therefore able to provide the required final viscosity.

Typically the amount of thickener employed will be in the region of 1-2% by weight but the final viscosity of the formulation is more important than the amount of thickener used.

Preferred formulations in accordance with the invention further incorporate a total of 0.1-5% by weight of a composition (viii) which is comprised of: (Viii) (a) hydrophobic particles, (viii) (b) a highly volatile siloxane, and (viii) (c) a silicone wax soluble in the siloxane The hydrophobic particles provided as component c (viii) (a) of the formulation preferably have an average particle diameter of from 0.01 to 100 inn.

More preferably the average particle diameter is in the range 0.01 to 20.im. It is particularly preferred that substantially all particles have a particle size of less than 30 Lm.

The hydrophobic particles may comprise 0.1-15% by weight of the total weight of component (viii) (a) of the fonnulatjon, more preferably 8% to 12%, e.g. about 10%.

A wide variety of hydrophobic particles may be used including silicas, silicates, minerals, metals, metal oxides, pigments or polymers (e.g. PTFE).

It is particularly preferred that the hydrophobic particles comprises fumed silica particles.

The volatile siloxane (component (viii) (b) may be of the formula (II) or (III).

Me [Me 1 Me

I II I I

Me_si_orsi_ors:Me (II) Me\Me (HI) where p is from 2 to 10.

For a linear siloxane of formula (II) it is preferred that p is 2 to 5. For cyclic siloxanes of formula (Ill) it is preferred that p is at least 4, more preferably at least 5.

A mixture of one or more siloxanes (II) and/or (III) may be used.

A particularly preferred siloxane is decamethylpentacyclosiloxane (formula (III), p =5).

The silocone wax (component (viii) (c)) is preferably one that is liquid at room temperature. Most preferably, the silicone wax has a re-crystallisation point of less than 150 C and more preferably less than 5° C. The Silicone wax may be of the general formula (I): Me rMe 1 rMe 1 Me

I II I II I I

Me-Si-__O-j-_Si_of f-ii_O_i___Me (I) Me [Me J [R JMe where R is a hydrocarbon radical, preferably having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, n is from 2 to 85, and m is from 2 to 60.

Further disclosure relating to components (viii) (a)-(c) may be found in US 2004/0213904 Al.

Component (viii) of the formulation may conveniently be provided by TegoTop� 105 available from Degussa GmbH which is a composition comprised of components (viii) (a)-(b).

Preferred formulations in accordance with the invention also incorporate: (ix) 1-5%, preferably 2-3%, of a wax together with an emulsifier therefor.

The purpose of the wax is to provide additional "bite" as the formulation is rubbed over the blemished Surface. Most preferably the wax is a Montan wax, preferably one that has been refined so as to be of a pale or white colour. A suitable wax is available under the designation Waradur L from Mead-K.ing, Robinson & Co. Ltd. The emulsifier used for the wax will generally be a non-ionic emulsifier, e.g. one comprised of a mixture of akyl-and arylethoxylates, such as available for Clariant under the designation Wax EmulsifIer 2106.

It is additionally preferred that formulations in accordance with the invention incOrporate: (x) 5-10%, e.g. 7-9%, of a water soluble lubricant which is other than a wax or a soap.

Component (x) serves to provide additional lubrication for the formulation and assists in preventing "swirl marks". A particularly suitable example for such a lubricant is ethylene glycol.

If desired, the formulation may incorporate a preservative, preservative and/or or biocide such as available under the designation ACTICJDE BFM from Thor Specialities (UK) Ltd. Having regard to the above disclosure, a preferred formulation in accordance with the invention comprises: (1) 3 0-40% of water, (ii) 26-30% of a powder having a Mobs hardness of about 6, (iii) 17.5-19.5% of a hydrocarbon liquid having an evaporation rate of less than 0.005 when measured in accordance with ASTM D3539 with n-butyl acetate being assigned an evaporation rate of!, (iv) 3-4% of a morpholine soap comprised predominately of salts of oleic acid, (vii) 0.1-5% of a pigment, (viii) a total of 0.1-5% by weight of a composition which is comprised of: (Viii) (a) hydrophobic particles, (viii) (b) a highly volatile siloxane, and (viii) (c) a silicone wax soluble in the siloxane; (ix) 2-3% of a wax together with an emulsifier therefor; and (x) 7-9% of a water soluble lubricant which is other than a wax or a soap, said formulation having a viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs at 20°C.

Formulations in accordance with invention may be produced by the following sequence of operations.

An oil phase is produced by mixing and heating the organic liquid (e.g. to 80°C with stirring) (i.e. component (ii)) and fatty acids (e.g. Tall Oil Fatty Acid) used for soap formation and (if used) wax and the wax emulsifier.

Separately the water is heated (ideally to the same temperature as the oil phase). If the water soluble lubricant (component (x)) and/or preservative are used they will also be incorporated in the water.

The aqueous and organic phases may then be homogenised together at elevated temperature (e.g. 80°C).

Subsequently the abrasive powder is added with mixing whiist the temperature is allowed to cool. The thickening agent may be added with mixing at this time.

If employed, a formulation comprised of components (viii) (a)-(c) may now be added with mixing.

Finally morpholine is added.

Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and following non-limiting Example. In the drawings: Fig 1 is a schematic illustration of a scratch on a painted metal surface; and Fig 2 is a schematic illustration of the scratch after treatment with a formulation in accordance with the invention.

Fig 1 is intended to represent a panel 1 (e.g. part of the bodywork of a motorised vehicle such as a car) which is comprised of a base substrate 2 (usually metal) with a paint coating 3. Fig 1 illustrates a scratch 4 on the panel I which has "cut-througjf' the paint layer 3 and exposed the underlying substrate 2. Not only will the damage to the paint layer 3 but there is also the problem that the substrate 2 is visible. Given that this substrate is of a different colour from the paint layer 3 then the substrate is also noticeable.

Reference is now made to Fig 2 which is intended to depict repair of the scratch (illustrated in Fig 1) using the formulation of the invention. By virtue of the properties of the formulation as described more fWly above, the paint layer 3 may be "smoothed-out" so there is no longer a "sharp transition" between the undamaged paint surface layer down into the scratch. This "smoothing-out" means that the previous impression created by the "sharp transition" from the undamaged paint surface down into the scratch has been removed. Additionally pigment 5 has been deposited on the area over which the formulation has been applied. Therefore the exposed area of the underlying substrate 2 has now been pigmented with the same colour as that of the paint layer 3 and is no longer visualised.

I

The following non-limiting Example further illustrates the invention.

A formulation in accordance with the invention was prepared using the following ingredients: A base formulation was prepared from the following components: Component %WIW 1 SHELLSOL D100 18.500 EMULSIFIER 2106 0.580 WAXLP 2.600 TALL OIL FATTY ACID 2% 3.650 WATER (COLD) 35.950 ETHYLENE GLYCOL 8.100 ACTICIDE BFM 0100 SIJPERFLOSS 28.000 VISCALEX PL 30 1.400 TEGOTOP 105 0.100 MORPHOLIIsJE j 1.020 The base formulation was prepared by the following procedure.

The SHELLSOL Dl00, emulsifier and wax LP were heated to 80°C with Continuous stirring to produce an oil phase.

Separately the water, ethylene glycol and ACTICIDE BFM were heated to 80°C with Continuous stimng.

The aqueous phase was then added to the oil phase and the mixture homogenised.

Subsequently the SUPERFLOSS was added with mixing whilst the mixture was allowed to cool to below 40°C.

The VISCALEX PL3O was then added with mixing, followed by the TEGOTOP 105.

Finally the morpholene was added. It should be noted that the morpholine reacts with the Tall Fatty Acids to produce a soap. Additionally the morpholine gave the formulation a pH of 8-9 which caused the VISCALEX PL3O to thicken the formulation to a viscosity of 30,000-45,000 cPs.

Pigment dispersion may then be added to the base formulation.

It will be appreciated that formulations in accordance with the invention but of different colours may be produced by adding the appropriate pigments to the base formulation.

The formulation as produced was suitable for effecting treatment of scratches in a maimer described with reference to Figs I and 2.

Claims

1. A scratch removal formulation comprising by weight of the formulation an admixture of: (i) 30-40% of water, (ii) 25-30% of a powder having a Mohs hardness of 5.5-6.5, (iii) 15-20% of a hydrocarbon liquid having an evaporation rate of less than 0.01 when measured in accordance with ASTM D3539 with n-butyl acetate being assigned an evaporation rate of!, (iv) 1-5% of a soap, and (vii) 0.1-5% of a pigment, said formulation having a viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs at 20°C.

2. A formulation as claimed in claim! wherein the abrasive powder has a Mob's hardness of about 6.

3. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the abrasive powder is present in the formulation in an amount of 26-30% by weight.

4. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the average particle size of the abrasive powder is in the range 40-50 m.

5. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims I to 4 wherein the abrasive powder is a flux calcined diatomaceous earth.

6. A fonnulatjon as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the organic liquid used as component (iii) has an evaporation rate of less than 0.005 on the basis defined in claim 1.

7. A formulation as claimed in an one of claims I to 6 wherein the amount of the organic liquid in the formulation is in the range 17.5-19.5% by weigtht.

8. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the soap is present in an amount of 3-4% by weight.

9. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the soap is comprised predominately of salts of oleic acid.

10. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the soap is a morhpoline soap.

11. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 further incorporating a total of 0.1-5% by weight of a composition (Viii) which is comprised of: (viii) (a) hydrophobic particles, (viii) (b) a highly volatile siloxane, and (viii) (c) a silicone way soluble in the siloxane.

12. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims I to 11 further incorporating: (ix) 1-5%, preferably 2-3%, of a wax together with an emulsifier therefor.

13. A formulation as claimed in claim 12 wherein the wax is a Montan wax.

14. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 incorporating: (x) 5-10%, e.g. 7-9%, of a water soluble lubricant which is other than a wax or a soap.

15. A formulation as claimed in claim 14 wherein the water soluble lubricant is ethylene glycol.

16. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 having a viscosity of 33,000-48,000 cPs.

17. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims I to 16 wherein an alkali swellable, acrylic emulsion polymer is used as a thickener to provide the required viscosity.

18. A formulation as claimed in claim I comprising: (i) 30-40% of water, (ii) 26-30% of a powder having a Mobs hardness of about 6, (iii) 17.5-19.5% of a hydrocarbon liquid having an evaporation rate of less than 0.005 when measured in accordance with ASTM D3539 with n-butyl acetate being assigned an evaporation rate of 1, (iv) 3-4% of a morpholine soap comprised predominately of salts of oleic acid, (vii) 0.1-5% of a pigment, (viii) a total of 0.1-5% by weight of a composition which is compnsed of: (viii) (a) hydrophobic particles, (viii) (b) a highly volatile siloxane, and (viii) (c) a silicone wax soluble in the siloxane; (ix) 2-3% of a wax together with an emulsifier therefor; and (x) 7-9% of a water soluble lubricant which is other than a wax or a soap, said formulation having a viscosity of 30,000-50,000 cPs at 20°C.