Third stream automotive color injection

Abstract

A method and system are provided for injecting a color component into a plural component coating dispensing system. Base, cure and color components are pumped from respective containers at metered volume. The color component, which is preferably a low-viscosity automotive paint is injected into the either the base or cure stream at a point immediately prior to mixing all components in a dispensing device for dispensing the resulting colored fluid mixture onto a surface to be coated. The mixture may be dispensed by pouring or spraying onto the surface. The method and system are particularly useful for mixing and dispensing colored polyurethane or polyurea coatings, such as for spray-on truck bed liners.

1 . A system for dispensing a polymerizing composition, the system comprising:
 a. a first tank comprising a first reactive component;   b. a second tank comprising a second reactive component;   c. a dispensing device in fluid communication with the first tank and second tank for mixing the components to produce a mixture and for dispensing the mixture from the dispensing device onto a surface to be coated; the dispensing device comprising a spray gun having a lever on the gun for controlling the flow of both the first reactive component and the second reactive component.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lever is located proximate to a handle on the gun. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a color component stored in a paint pot, the dispensing device injecting the color component into either the first reactive component or the second reactive component prior to mixing the components, to produce a colored mixture that is then dispensed onto a surface to be coated. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 3 , wherein the lever actuates a valve in the gun which, when closed, acts to prevent the flow of the first reactive component, second reactive component and color component at the gun simultaneously. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the valve comprises a ball valve.