Surface composition and method of application

Abstract

A surface composition for reducing degradation and fading of surfaces subjected to extended periods of submersion in an aqueous liquid includes at least one clear barrier layer and at least one under layer, wherein the clear barrier layer is in use, disposed atop the under layer and in contact with the aqueous liquid whereby the clear barrier layer protects the structure and appearance of the under layer. The clear barrier layer provides structural protection against degradation from chemical attack and from fading due to UV exposure.

1 . A surface composition for reducing degradation and fading of surfaces subjected to extended periods of submersion in an aqueous liquid, the surface composition comprising at least one clear barrier layer and at least one under layer, wherein the clear barrier layer is in use, disposed atop the under layer and in contact with the aqueous liquid whereby the clear barrier layer protects the structure and appearance of the under layer. 
     
     
         2 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the under layer is a decorative layer comprising one or more decorative or ornamental agents. 
     
     
         3 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises one or more UV inhibitors, absorbers or stabilisers. 
     
     
         4 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the clear barrier layer comprises one or more UV inhibitors, absorbers or stabilisers. 
     
     
         5 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the clear barrier layer is a clear polyester gelcoat. 
     
     
         6 . The surface composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the clear polyester gelcoat comprises one or more phthalate containing polyesters, vinyl containing polyesters or methyl methacrylate containing polyesters. 
     
     
         7 . The surface composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the clear polyester gelcoat comprises a phthalate containing polyester. 
     
     
         8 . The surface composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the clear polyester gelcoat is derived from an isophthalic neopentyl glycol. 
     
     
         9 . The surface composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the clear polyester gelcoat is derived from greater than 70 mole % neopentyl glycol based on the total mole % of dihydroxy compounds in the polyester. 
     
     
         10 . The surface composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the barrier layer comprises a triazine based UV absorber. 
     
     
         11 . The surface composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the barrier layer comprises a hindered amine light stabiliser. 
     
     
         12 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer comprises one or more metal promoters. 
     
     
         13 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more metal promoters is selected from the group consisting of zinc octoate, potassium octoate or cobalt octoate. 
     
     
         14 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the under layer comprises one or more polyesters, vinyl esters or terephthalate based resins. 
     
     
         15 . The surface composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the under layer comprises one or more epoxy vinyl esters, brominated epoxy vinyl esters, novolac epoxy vinyl ester resins or elastomer modified vinyl ester resins. 
     
     
         16 . The surface composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the epoxy vinyl ester resin comprises a bisphenol-A epoxy vinyl ester resin. 
     
     
         17 . The surface composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the under layer comprises one or more metal promoters. 
     
     
         18 . A method of manufacturing a surface composition, the method comprising applying a clear gel coat liquid to a mould, permitting the gelcoat to cure and subsequently applying a coloured or decorative vinyl ester layer to the cured gelcoat. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the clear gel coat is derived from an isophthalic neopentyl glycol. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the vinyl ester layer comprises a bisphenol-A epoxy vinyl ester resin. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A pool, the pool having a surface composition comprised of at least one clear barrier layer and at least one under layer, wherein the clear barrier is in use, disposed atop the under layer and in contact with liquid in the pool, whereby the clear barrier layer protects the under layer from degradation.