Water-based anti-graffiti coatings for synthetic leather applications

Graffiti—in many cases, unauthorized markings and lettering, often unattractive in appearance, found on almost every conceivable surface. These “works of art,” applied with ballpoint pens, permanent markers, or spray paint, are unfortunately a common sight, especially in public spaces. And they’re costly to deal with, too, since graffiti removal is usually very labor-intensive. For synthetic leather surfaces, ROWA Lack’s anti-graffiti products provide a solution.

Many surfaces are treated with anti-graffiti coatings either during manufacturing or, at the latest, shortly after installation, to prevent spray paint, ink, and similar substances from adhering or to make them easier to remove.For hard surfaces, such as stone and stucco facades or steel structures, the market offers a wide variety of different coating systems. However, anti-graffiti products are also needed for soft surfaces, such as seat surfaces. ROWA Lack specializes in the development and manufacture of coatings for flexible sheet materials, which are used, among other things, in the synthetic leather sector. Formulating suitable anti-graffiti coatings is a complex process. This is because, in addition to protecting the substrate from graffiti, these coatings must also enhance the surface’s mechanical and chemical resistance. At the same time, the material’s appearance, feel, and flexibility must, of course, be preserved as much as possible.

 

The latest developments in this area are the ROWAKRYL® M-35200W and its slightly more matte version, the M-35252W, as well as the glossy variant, ROWAKRYL® G-35294W. In addition to their anti-graffiti properties, these coatings also meet all other requirements mentioned. The transparent, water-based 2K systems have been specially optimized for a pot life of more than eight hours to ensure the longest possible workability. This is despite the fact that the ROWASET 63762 catalyst must be added to the coatings prior to application to ensure their properties are fully developed. The coatings are applied directly to the roll goods, ideally using a screen roller or a squeegee. The mandatory drying after application takes place for one minute at 140 °C.

 

Since no two synthetic leather substrates are alike, different primers are available for different substrates as needed. In many cases, the use of ROWATHAL® M-25100W or G-25106W has proven beneficial for further improving the properties of the overall system.

 

Materials coated with the anti-graffiti systems presented here have high scratch resistance and also exhibit very good resistance to solvents and chemicals. In addition, surfaces coated with ROWAKRYL® M‑35200W,^{ROWAKRYL® M‑35252W} , or ROWAKRYL® G‑35294W are characterized by low soiling tendency and excellent cleanability: Dried permanent marker or ballpoint pen ink can usually be removed effortlessly and without leaving any residue from a coated synthetic leather surface using a dry cloth. Even spray paint can often be removed without leaving any residue.