Scratch-resistant strippable finish

Abstract

A jobsite-applied radiation curable floor finish containing inorganic particles exhibits improved scratch resistance but can be removed using strip agents. The finish can be applied to a multipiece flooring material whose pieces have a top surface, a side surface or surfaces and gaps between pieces. The top surface is coated and at least the uppermost portion of the gaps are filled with a layer or layers of cured finish composition comprising radiation cured polymer and sufficient inorganic filler particles to impart increased scratch resistance to the cured finish. The finish can also be applied as a strip agent-permeable coating atop a strippable intermediate coating atop a substrate. The finish provides a better appearance and easier cleanability than would be the case if the flooring material had been factory-finished and then installed. In a factory-finished floor, there can be small differences in height between adjacent floorboards because it is not possible to sand the floorboards after installation without also removing at least some of the factory-applied finish. In a factory-finished floor, there are also small cracks between adjacent floorboards that are not sealed by the factory-applied finish.

1 - 40 . (canceled)  
     
     
         41 . A finish kit, comprising a radiation curable coating material comprising sufficient inorganic filler particles to impart increased scratch resistance to the radiation curable coating material after it is cured, and instructions for jobsite application of the radiation curable coating material to installed flooring materials, wherein the cured radiation curable coating material is strippable.  
     
     
         42 . A finish kit according to  claim 41 , wherein the radiation curable coating material comprises water.  
     
     
         43 . A finish kit according to  claim 41 , wherein the radiation curable coating material comprises a cosolvent that helps to disperse the inorganic particles in the radiation curable coating material.  
     
     
         44 . A laminate finish kit, comprising a strippable intermediate coating, a radiation curable coating material comprising sufficient inorganic filler particles to impart increased scratch resistance to the radiation curable coating material after it is cured, and instructions for jobsite application of the intermediate coating and radiation curable coating material to a substrate, wherein the cured radiation curable coating material is strip agent permeable, strippable, and less strippable than the intermediate coating.  
     
     
         45 . A laminate finish kit according to  claim 44 , further comprising a strip agent.  
     
     
         46 . A laminate finish kit according to  claim 44 , wherein the radiation curable coating material comprises an acrylate, methacrylate, unsaturated polyester, vinyl ether, epoxy, urethane or acrylated urethane.  
     
     
         47 . A laminate finish kit according to  claim 44 , wherein the radiation curable coating material comprises an aromatic urethane.  
     
     
         48 . A laminate finish kit according to  claim 44 , wherein the radiation curable coating material comprises an aliphatic polyester urethane.  
     
     
         49 . A laminate finish kit according to  claim 44 , wherein the radiation curable coating material comprises water and a cosolvent that helps to disperse the inorganic particles in the radiation curable coating material.  
     
     
         50 . A method for jobsite application of a finish to a multipiece flooring material whose pieces have a top surface, a side surface or surfaces and gaps between pieces, comprising: 
 a. coating the top surface and filling at least the uppermost portion of the gaps with a strippable radiation curable finish comprising sufficient inorganic filler particles to impart increased scratch resistance to the finish after it is cured; and    b. curing the finish using UV radiation.    
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein the inorganic particles comprise silica particles.  
     
     
         52 . A method for jobsite application of a laminate finish to a multipiece flooring material whose pieces have a top surface, a side surface or surfaces and gaps between pieces, comprising: 
 a. coating the top surface and filling at least the uppermost portion of the gaps with a strippable intermediate coating;    b. allowing the intermediate coating to dry or harden;    c. coating the intermediate coating with a radiation curable coating material comprising sufficient inorganic filler particles to impart increased scratch resistance to the radiation curable coating material after it is cured; and    d. curing the radiation curable coating material using suitable radiation, wherein the cured radiation curable coating material is strip agent permeable, strippable, and less strippable than the intermediate coating.    
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein the inorganic particles comprise silica particles.  
     
     
         54 . A method for removing the laminate finish according to  claim 52 , comprising: 
 a. applying to the finish a strip agent comprising a polar solvent;    b. allowing the strip agent to permeate through the finish to attack the intermediate layer; and    c. removing the finish without removing substantial portions of the underlying flooring material.