John Michael Hess

US Patent:

6701601, Mar 9, 2004

Filed:

Jul 3, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/898207

Inventors:

Dennis D Davidson - Troy MI
John C Hess - Rochester MI
Tommy L Anderson - Ypsilanti MI
Rodney L Briggs - Linden MI
Robert J Shaffer - Franklin Village MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B23P 2500

US Classification:

29458, 247421

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a body, preferrably an automotive vehicle body, to have a plurality of coating layers, starts with assembling the body out of parts made from pre-coated metal. A pretreatment step provides for paint adhesion and/or corrosion protection for cut edges, weld spots or metal finished areas. A powder paint base coat is then applied onto the pre-coated metal of the vehicle body. The pre-coat layer is one of the plurality of coating layers and the powder paint base coat is another one of the plurality of coating layers. In another embodiment, the powder paint base coat is applied in two steps, a first powder paint base coat and a color powder paint base coat. The first powder paint base coat is applied to a first portion of the vehicle body and the color powder paint base coat is applied to a second portion of the vehicle body. Unused first powder paint base coat and unused color powder paint base coat are both reclaimed, mixed, and the mixture used for at least some of the first powder paint base coat applied to the first portion of the vehicle body.

US Patent:

60355476, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Aug 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/135499

Inventors:

John C. Hess - Rochester MI
Dennis D. Davidson - Troy MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

F26B 334

US Classification:

34270

Abstract:

A method for flashing an object painted with a water-borne high-solids automotive paint that substantially reduces the frequency of base-coat pop defects. The method subjects the painted objects to a first set of environmental conditions wherein the air temperature, relative humidity and airflow rate are maintained within certain ranges. The painted objects are maintained in these conditions for a period of time which exceeds an empirically derived minimum value. The peak metal temperature of the painted object is then raised to a second temperature range while being subjected to a second relative humidity level and second airflow rate so as to dehydrate the paint film to a predetermined level.