Method for forming a multilayer coating

1. A method for forming a multilayer coating on a substrate wherein the method is a 3-wet method comprising the steps of;

1) applying at least one layer of a waterborne primer composition;

2) applying at least one layer of a waterborne basecoat composition;

3) applying at least one layer of a clearcoat composition; and

4) heating the applied layers of coating composition to cure the applied layers;

wherein a polyester is present in the waterborne basecoat composition;

wherein the polyester is a water soluble or water dispersible polyester that is the reaction product of a monomer mixture wherein the monomer mixture comprises;

a) in the range of from 1 to 25 percent by weight of one or more polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers having a number average molecular weight of less than 1600,

b) in the range of from 40 to 65 percent by weight of one or more polycarboxylic acids, and

c) in the range of from 35 to 60 percent by weight of one or more polyhydroxyl alcohols,

wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the polyester.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the waterborne basecoat composition comprises a film forming basecoat binder wherein the film forming basecoat binder comprises in the range of from 10 to 60 percent by weight of the polyester; in the range of from 0 to 70 percent by weight of an acrylic latex; and in the range of from 20 to 80 percent by weight of a crosslinking agent; and

wherein the percentages by weight are based on the weight of the film forming basecoat binder, and wherein polyester resin has an acid number in the range of from 2 to 35, a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 25,000 to 85,000, and the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with a base.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the film forming basecoat binder comprises in the range of from 15 to 55 percent by weight of the polyester resin, in the range of from 10 to 60 percent by weight of an acrylic latex and in the range of from 15 to 40 percent by weight of a crosslinking agent, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total amount of film forming basecoat binder.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the polyester has a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 35,000 to 75,000.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the film forming primer composition comprises a film forming primer binder wherein the film forming primer binder comprises in the range of from 20 to 90 percent by weight of the polyester and in the range of from 10 to 80 percent by weight of a crosslinking agent; wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total amount of film forming primer binder, and wherein polyester resin has an acid number in the range of from 2 to 35, a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 25,000 to 85,000, and the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with a base.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the film forming primer binder comprises in the range of from 25 to 75 percent by weight of the polyester and in the range of from 25 to 75 percent by weight of the crosslinking agent, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total amount of film forming primer binder.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the waterborne primer composition is essentially free from acrylic latex.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the polyester has a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 35,000 to 75,000.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the step of flash drying the applied one or more layers of waterborne primer composition prior to the application of the waterborne basecoat composition, or wherein the method further comprises the step of flash drying the applied one or more layers of waterborne basecoat composition prior to the application of the clearcoat composition, or wherein the method further comprises the step of flash drying the applied layer of clearcoat composition prior to the step of heating the applied layers of coating compositions.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the heating step comprises heating the applied layers of coating composition to a temperature in the range of from 130° C. to 200° C.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the clearcoat composition is a one component clearcoat composition.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester is present in the waterborne primer composition.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the monomer mixture consists essentially of:

a) neopentyl glycol,

b) trimethylol propane,

c) methoxy polyethylene glycol,

d) isophthalic acid,

e) adipic acid, and

f) phthalic anhydride.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester is present in the waterborne basecoat composition.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the polyester is present in both the waterborne primer composition and in the waterborne basecoat composition.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein a first polyester is present in the waterborne primer composition and a second polyester different from the first polyester is present in the waterborne basecoat composition.

17. A method for forming a multilayer coating on a substrate wherein the method is a 3-wet method comprising the steps of;

1) applying at least one layer of a waterborne primer composition;

2) applying at least one layer of a waterborne basecoat composition;

3) applying at least one layer of a clearcoat composition; and

4) heating the applied layers of coating composition to cure the applied layers;

wherein a polyester is present in the waterborne primer composition, in the waterborne basecoat composition or is present in both the waterborne primer composition and the waterborne basecoat composition;

wherein the polyester is a water soluble or water dispersible polyester that is the reaction product of a monomer mixture wherein the monomer mixture comprises;

a) neopentyl glycol,

b) trimethylol propane,

c) methoxy polyethylene glycol,

d) isophthalic acid,

e) adipic acid, and

f) phthalic anhydride.

18. A method for forming a multilayer coating on a substrate wherein the method is a 3-wet method comprising the steps of;

1) applying at least one layer of a waterborne primer composition;

2) applying at least one layer of a waterborne basecoat composition;

3) applying at least one layer of a clearcoat composition; and

4) heating the applied layers of coating composition to cure the applied layers;

wherein a polyester is present in the waterborne primer composition;

wherein the polyester is a water soluble or water dispersible polyester that is the reaction product of a monomer mixture wherein the monomer mixture comprises;

a) in the range of from 1 to 25 percent by weight of one or more polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers having a number average molecular weight of less than 1600,

b) in the range of from 40 to 65 percent by weight of one or more polycarboxylic acids, and

c) in the range of from 35 to 60 percent by weight of one or more polyhydroxyl alcohols,

wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the polyester.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the film forming primer composition comprises a film forming primer binder wherein the film forming primer binder comprises in the range of from 20 to 90 percent by weight of the polyester and in the range of from 10 to 80 percent by weight of a crosslinking agent; wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total amount of film forming primer binder, and wherein polyester resin has an acid number in the range of from 2 to 35, a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 25,000 to 85,000, and the acid groups are at least partially neutralized with a base.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the film forming primer binder comprises in the range of from 25 to 75 percent by weight of the polyester and in the range of from 25 to 75 percent by weight of the crosslinking agent, wherein the percentages by weight are based on the total amount of film forming primer binder.