| abstract |
(57) [Summary] An automotive exterior quality paint coat is laminated to the surface of a plastic vehicle body member or panel. First, a dry paint transfer film is laminated to a relatively thin, semi-rigid, heat moldable resin backing sheet. The resulting laminate backing sheet is then laminated to a relatively thick thermoformable substrate sheet containing the same or compatible polymer material. The two sheets are joined by extruding a thick substrate sheet and using the heat of the extrusion, and then a thin backing sheet is laminated to the thick extruded substrate sheet. The resulting thick laminate sheet is then preferably vacuum formed into a three-dimensional shape of a completed automotive component ready to be placed on a vehicle, such as an instrument panel, after first heating the laminate to the forming temperature. By performing heat molding. |