Europaisches P a t e n t a m t

® J European Patent Office © Publication number: 0 083 9 6 3

Office europeen des brevets A2

EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

© Application number: 83300021.9 © Int. CI.3: C 09 D 5 / 0 2

C 09 D 3/80, B 44 F 9/02
© Date of filing: 05.01.83 B 44 F 7 / 0 0

® Priority: 11.01.82 US 338770 © Applicant: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY

11.01.82 US 338771 101 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606IUS)
© Date of publication of application : © Inventor: Lat, Geronimo E.
20.07.83 Bulletin 83/29 8039 Crawford
Skokie Illinois 60076IUS)
(m) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB IT NL © Representative: Rowe, Eric Nielsen et al,
Edward Evans &Co. Chancery House 53-64 Chancery
Lane
London WC2A 1SD(GB)

© Metal article having three-dimensional wood grain and stainable coating.

A metal article is made to look like wood by impressing a
three-dimensional wood grain pattern in its surface, coating
the pattern with a translucent film, and straining the film. The
stainable film is an acrylic resin filled with an extender
pigment whose mean particle size is from about 5 to about 7
microns.

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 This invention relates to a translucent, stain absorbent film which
is applied as a c o a t i n g of a f i l l e d acrylic latex to a substrate such as
a metal or a plastic. More p a r t i c u l a r l y , the invention relates to an
aqueous, film-forming composition comprising an a c r y l i c latex and a s o f t ,
water-insoluble extender pigment. Still more p a r t i c u l a r l y , it relates to
metal articles having an i n t e g r a l , three-dimensional, simulated wood g r a i n
in its surface and a s t a i n - a b s o r b e n t coating on i t s surface.
The t r a n s l u c e n t film of this invention is distinguished from a t r a n s -
parent one in that it is slightly opaque, permitting the imperfect trans-
mission of light relected from the substrate. The f i l m is capable of
absorbing an a p p l i e d stain while still exposing the color and markings of
the substrate.
Various techniques have been used over the years to simulate a wood
grain on metal p a n e l s . Among t h e s e is the lamination on such a panel of a
vinyl film having a wood g r a i n pattern printed thereon. The f i l m is sub-
ject to delamination and permanent disfigurement by t e a r i n g or s c u f f i n g
actions. Another technique is the printing of the wood g r a i n pattern
directly on the metal. The p r i n t e d pattern is very susceptible to
scratching and s c u f f i n g . Restoration to the original statee is exceed-
ingly difficult. A technique requiring artistic ability is the manual
staining of a metal panel to give a streaked appearance resembling a
wood g r a i n .
 Furthermore, as the patentees in U.S. Patent No. 3 , 8 1 1 , 9 1 5 observe,
such simulated wood g r a i n s have the disadvantage of looking and feeling
flat as compared to the three-dimensional look and f e e l of most natural

; woods. In said patent, there is taught a method for simulating a three-

dimensional wood g r a i n without the need for recourse to t e c h n i q u e s such as
mechanical embossing. The method taught comprises applying a conventional
background-forming groundcoat to a s u b s t r a t e , printing a wood g r a i n on t h e
dried groundcoat with a graining ink containing a silicone fluid, and c o v e r -

ing the p r i n t e d groundcoat with a conventional top coat. The p a t e n t e e s

teach that the groundcoat is normally pigmented to p r o v i d e the desired con-
trast with the graining ink.
In the p a s t , coatings intended as s t a i n a b l e base coats generally were
pigmented so that an opaque f i l m would be formed on the substrate. Ground-

coats of t h i s sort are used in the inventions described in U.S. Patent Nos.
1,651,136; 2,248,254; and 3 , 8 4 7 , 6 4 6 . A method for producing a "crackled"
antique finish is described in U.S. Patent No. 3 , 6 9 2 , 5 5 7 . Said method
utilizes a composition comprising an a c r y l i c resin emulsion, finely ground
marble, polyurethane, and w a t e r . The c o m p o s i t i o n may be a p p l i e d as b o t h
the first and t h i r d coatings on a s u b s t r a t e , the second coating being a
water soluble dye, or, in the case where the substrate is non-absorbent,
the water soluble dye is applied first and the acrylic/polyurethane emul-
sion is applied over the dried dye. In e i t h e r case, the w a t e r soluble dye
is said to "bleed through" upwards into the t h i r d or uppermost coating to
form the antique looking finish having a cracked surface.
In many i n s t a n c e s , pigments which p r o v i d e color and o p a c i t y to a
groundcoat a l s o have the effect of sealing the film so t h a t a stain is not
absorbed or, at b e s t , it is absorbed unevenly.
Now, i t has been discovered that a substantially colorless, translu-
cent film capable of absorbing an a p p l i e d stain may be formed on a s u b s t r a t e
by c o a t i n g the substrate with an aqueous composition comprising an a c r y l i c
latex and a w a t e r - i n s o l u b l e extender pigment having a mean p a r t i c l e size of
from about 5 to a b o u t 7 microns, then drying said coating by a s u i t a b l e
method.
The a c r y l i c latices used in this invention are aqueous emulsions of

acrylic resins; the emulsions have a solids content of from about 30% t o

about 45% by w e i g h t . The r e s i n s constitute substantially all of the solids

present. Homopolymers and copolymers of alkyl acrylates and m e t h a c r y l a t e s
and copolymers of such monomers with acrylonitrile, acrylic and m e t h a c r y l i c

acids, styrene, and similar vinyl monomers are examples of the acrylic resins

which are useful as the film forming constituents of the composition of this

invention. The term "alkyl" is used herein to mean an alkyl group having
from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Acrylates and m e t h a c r y l a t e s in which the alkyl
group contains from 1 to 3 carbon atoms are preferred. Copolymers of such
esters with each other and/or with one or more of the monomers specifically
mentioned above are particularly preferred. The f i l m s deposited by t h e
acrylic latices useful in this invention are generally characterized by
good r e s i s t a n c e to w a t e r , high humidity, salt spray, oil and s o l v e n t s .
The aqueous composition of this invention comprises from about 10% t o
about 15% of, the acrylic resin by w e i g h t . Water constitutes from about 10%.
to about 40% of the weight of the composition; this includes water in the

acrylic latex and added water.

The size of the extender pigment particles is critical. Although a
mean p a r t i c l e size of from about 5 to about 7 microns is generally accepta-
ble, it is p r e f e r r e d that it be no g r e a t e r than about 6 microns. A maximum
particle size of about 25 m i c r o n s is also preferable. It is also important
that the extender pigment be a s o f t material, i.e., one having a hardness on
the Moh scale of about 4 or less. Materials such as calcium carbonate, zinc
phosphate and barium sulfate are examples of the w a t e r - i n s o l u b l e , soft ex-
tender pigments useful in this invention. Particularly useful are a zinc
phosphate having an a v e r a g e particle size of about 6 microns and c a l c i u m
carbonate having a mean p a r t i c l e size of about 5.5 microns.
The weight ratio of extender pigment to acrylic resin ranges from about
1.5:1 to about 3.6:1. A preferred ratio is from about 2.5 to about 3.6.
The amount of e x t e n d e r pigment in the aqueous composition is from about 15%
to about 50%, p r e f e r a b l y from about 25% on u p .
The v i s c o s i t y of the aqueous compositions containing such large amounts
of extender pigment is reduced by t i t a n a t e coupling agents such as t h o s e
described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,069,192; 4,080,353; 4,087,402; 4,094,853;
4,098,758; and 4 , 1 2 2 , 0 6 2 , which are incorporated herein. Examples of such
coupling agents include isopropyl triisostoaryl titanate, titanium
di-(dioctylpyrophosphate) oxyacetate, and d i - ( d i o c t y l p y r o p h o s p h a t o ) ethylene
titanate. Quarternary ammonium s a l t s of those titanate coupling agents
having an a c i d i c function are particularly useful and are preferred com-
ponents of the compositions of t h i s invention. Especially preferred are
the quaternary ammonium s a l t s of 2 - d i m e t h y l a m i n o methyl propanol with
either titanium di-(dioctylpyrophosphate) oxyacetate or d i - ( d i o c t y l p y r o -
phosphato) ethylene titanate.
The aqueous composition of this invention contains from about 0.25%
to about 0.75% of the titanate coupling agent, based on the weight of t h e
extender pigment. A preferred amount is from a b o u t 0.3% to about 0.5%.
Water soluble solvents such as e t h y l e n e glycol, propylene glycol,
isopropanol, butyl cellosolve and the like may be added to the aqueous
composition in o r d e r to improve sprayability of the composition and t o
regulate the drying time during film formation. The amounts used w i l l de-
pend on the nature and amounts of the other components and the desired
drying time but such solvents usually constitute from about 4% to about 10%
of the total weight of the aqueous composition. Mixtures of the solvents
are especially useful for the purposes.
The v i s c o s i t y of the aqueous compositions may be a d j u s t e d as d e s i r e d
by the addition of c e l l u l o s i c thickeners such as the methylcellulose ethers,
e.g. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and c a r b o x y m e t h y l cellulose. Crosslinked
acrylic or m e t h a c r y l i c acid copolymer emulsions also function as thickeners
when a c t i v a t e d by a base such as ammonium h y d r o x i d e . Prom about 0.1% t o
about 0.5% by w e i g h t of the aqueous composition is a generally sufficient
amount of t h i c k e n e r .
Non-ionic surfactants and/or silicones may be used in minor amounts
to control foaming of the aqueous composition during its preparation.
Fig. 1 is a photograph of a s t a i n e d metal panel illustrative of
this invention.
The metal article is preferably made of steel but other metals such as
aluminum, copper, tin, and i n h e r e n t l y colored alloys such as b r a s s and
bronze are also contemplated as the substrate in this invention. The a r t i c l e
may be simply sheet metal or i t may be a shaped article made by bending sheet
metal or by molding the metal. Steel doors for houses and o t h e r buildings,
i.e., architectural doors; door jambs, cabinetry and d e c o r a t i v e trim exemplify
articles for which the advantages of t h i s invention are often sought.
The t h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l simulation of wood grain in the metal surface may
be a c c o m p l i s h e d , for example, by embossing, coining, or e t c h i n g the metal to
form the grooves and the consequent thread-like ridges or ties and p l a t e a u s .
The grooves and, therefore, the tics and p l a t e a u s are of random l e n g t h and

width. The depth of the grooves is also not uniform. Although the tics are
for the most p a r t parallel, they and the plateaus appear to converge and d i -

verge because of the varying lengths and w i d t h s of the grooves. Before being
coated, the minimum depth of the grooves is about 2.2 times the thickness of
the dry film which is to be d e p o s i t e d from the coating composition. A par-

ticularly pleasing and r e a l i s t i c effect is achieved by a p r e f e r r e d arrange-

ment of the tics so t h a t there are from about 80 to about 85 t i c s per
square inch (about 12-13 per square centimeter). The a v e r a g e width of the
tics in such arrangement is about 16 m i l s (about 0.4mm) and the average depth
of the grooves is about 5 mils (about 0.13mm).
The bare metal surface is, of course, only suggestive of a wood g r a i n .

It is the translucent coating which enables one to complete the effect by

rubbing and wiping a selected stain over the p a t t e r n . The t r a n s l u c e n t
coating is substantially colorless and is capable of absorbing a decorative
stain while still exposing the color and m a r k i n g s of the substrate. When,
as is usually the case, the color of the metal is not a desirable base for
the simulation of wood g r a i n , a pigmented primer is applied to the m e t a l
before the stainable coating is applied. In some i n s t a n c e s , however, the
color of the m e t a l , e.g., copper, bronze and the like, may serve well for
special effects.
The s t a i n a b l e , translucent film is formed on the wood g r a i n e d surface
of the metal by s p r a y i n g , roller-coating, or a p p l y i n g the aqueous composition
by any o t h e r suitable method and then drying the composition. The d r y i n g tem-
perature may range from j u s t above the. freezing point of the composition to
just below its decomposition temperature but it is preferably from about room
temperature to about 350°F (about 177°C). At the particularly preferred
temperature of about 160°F (about 70°C), the film is sufficiently dry after
about 10 to 15 m i n u t e s ; the drying time will be c o r r e s p o n d i n g l y longer at
lower temperatures and s h o r t e r at higher temperatures. The film is usually
from about 0.5 to about 1 mil thick after drying but it may be t h i c k e r if
desired.
The film accepts a decorative stain evenly much l i k e wood does. Stain-
ing of the film may be a c c o m p l i s h e d without runs even when the surface of
the substrate is v e r t i c a l . Mater-based, alkyd, and o i l - b a s e d stains are
readily absorbed.
 The a d v a n t a g e s of t h i s invention are more p r o n o u n c e d when n o n - a b s o r b e n t ,
i.e. water impervious, substrates such as m e t a l or p l a s t i c are to be d e c o -
rated by s t a i n i n g but substrates such as h a r d b o a r d , particle board, plaster-
board, and plywood may a l s o be c o a t e d with the stainable film of t h i s in-
vention in o r d e r to p r e p a r e them for decorative staining.
The i n v e n t i o n is illustrated more s p e c i f i c a l l y by the following examples
wherein all parts are by weight unless otherwise stated. The scope of t h e
invention is not restricted to the specific details of these examples.

Example 1
A mixture of w a t e r (66 p a r t s ) , an a n t i - f o a m i n g agent comprising a non-
ionic surfactant and a s i l i c o n e sold under the trademark NOPCO NXZ(0.2 p a r t ) ,
ethylene glycol (8 p a r t s ) , the quaternary ammonium s a l t of 2-dimethylamino
methyl propanol and d i ( d i o c t y l p y r o p h o s p h a t o ) ethylene titanate (1.2 p a r t s ) ,
zinc phosphate having an average particle size of 6 microns and sold under
the product designation J0852 by Mineral Pigments Corporation (175 p a r t s )
is dispersed at high speed in a Cowles mixer for 10 m i n u t e s . Then 120 p a r t s
of an a c r y l i c latex having a solids content of about 43% by weight, a pH o f
9.4 to 10, a viscosity at 25°C. of from 500 to 2000 cps. and wherein the
particle size of the all-acrylic resin is less than 0.1 micron is added a l o n g
with 15 p a r t s of isopropanol and 2 p a r t s of a c r o s s l i n k e d , acidic acrylic
emulsion copolymer as a t h i c k e n i n g agent- Ammonium h y d r o x i d e (3 p a r t s ) is
added to activate the thickening agent. The m i x t u r e is thoroughly blended
at room t e m p e r a t u r e . The a c r y l i c latex is sold under the trademark Rhoplex
MV-23 by Rohm & H a a s .
A stainable f i l m having a porous surface resulted when the composition
thus prepared was a p p l i e d to a s u b s t r a t e and d r i e d .

Example 2
The g e n e r a l procedure of Example 1 is repeated except that the acrylic
latex used is an aqueous emulsion of an a c r y l i c / s t y r e n e copolymer sold by
Polyvinyl Chemical Industries under the trademark Neocryl A-623 and 10 p a r t s
of b u t y l cellosolve are used in a d d i t i o n to the ethylene glycol. The a c r y l i c
latex has a solids c o n t e n t of 35% by w e i g h t , a pH of 7.5, and a B r o o k f i e l d
viscosity at 25°C. of 320 c p s .
 This composition also provided a stainable, porous film when a p p l i e d

to a s u b s t r a t e and d r i e d .
In c o n t r a s t to the results of Examples 1 and 2, compositions prepared

by the general procedure of Example 2 but substituting an equal weight of

a finely divided silica (Imsil A-10, sold by I l l i n o i s Mineral Co.), or

terra alba (finely divided gypsum), or a finely divided clay for the zinc

phosphate give films having a sealted surface that do not accept a de-
corative stain.

Example 3

A mixture of 150 p a r t s of w a t e r , 18 p a r t s of e t h y l e n e glycol, 1.7

parts of the titanate coupling agent of Examples 1 and 2, 22 p a r t s of

butyl cellosolve and 350 p a r t s of calcium carbonate having a mean p a r t i c l e

size of 5.5 microns (sold under the trademark Snowflake White by Thompson,
Weinman,and Company) is ground at high speed in a Cowles mixer. Then, 115

parts of water; 0.5 p a r t of an a n t i - f o a m i n g agent; 120 p a r t s of an a c r y l i c -

latex comprising a low m o l e c u l a r weight terpolymer of a lower alkyl acrylate,
acrylonitrile and s t y r e n e and h a v i n g a solids content of about 41% by w e i g h t ,
a Brookfield viscosity of from 500 to 2000 cps. and a pH of 7.5; 120 p a r t s
of the acrylic latex of Example 1, 2 parts of a c e l l u l o s i c thickener, and
8 parts of p r o p y l e n e glycol are added and the m i x t u r e is thoroughly blended
at room t e m p e r a t u r e .
The c o m p o s i t i o n thus prepared is sprayed onto several metal panels
having a primer coat in p l a c e . A film having a thickness of 1 mil (about
25 microns) is formed after drying at 160°F (about 70"C.) for 12 m i n u t e s
with 10 minutes of flash off time.
A commercial stain is then spread on each panel and wiped in the con-
ventional manner. The s t a i n s used are Formby's gelled stain, Cuprinol
stain and wood p r e s e r v a t i v e , Pratt & Lambert Penetrating Rustic Stain,
Olympic (linseed oil base), Enterprise 2-in-1, Carver Tripps, and Minwax
stain. Excellent stain reception is achieved in each case. The i m p a c t
strength and a d h e s i o n of the film is excellent.

Example 4
The g e n e r a l procedure of Example 3 is repeated except that zinc
phosphate having an a v e r a g e particle size of 6 microns is used in p l a c e of
the calcium carbonate.
 The f i l m deposited on metal panels by the acqueous composition thus

prepared also showed e x c e l l e n t stainability, impact strength and a d h e s i o n .

In c o n t r a s t to the results of Examples 3 and 4, a film deposited from

a composition prepared by the general procedure of Example 4 except for

the replacement of 300 p a r t s of the zinc phosphate by a calcium carbonate

having a mean p a r t i c l e size of 2.5 m i c r o n s showed poor stain reception.

Example 5
Sheet steel is embossed to achieve a pattern of g e n e r a l l y parallel
lines or tics of random l e n g t h to s i m u l a t e the pattern of a wood g r a i n . The
wood g r a i n effect is obtained by an a r r a n g e m e n t of individual tics spaced

apart differentially so t h a t there are about 80 to 85 t i c s per square inch.

The average width of a tic is about 16 m i l s and the average depth of t h e

grooves between the tics is about 5 mils.

A residential steel door is fabricated from the embossed sheet m a t e r i a l
and the surface intended to be the exterior face is primed with a pigmented
base coat having a beige color.
An a c r y l i c latex coating composition is prepared by mixing 12,980 p a r t s
of w a t e r , 116.2 p a r t s of the quaternary ammonium s a l t of 2 - d i m e t h y l a m i n o -
methyl propanol and d i ( d i o c t y l p y r o p h o s p h a t o ) ethylene titanate, and 2 3 , 9 2 5
parts of calcium carbonate having a mean p a r t i c l e size of 5.5 microns for
10 m i n u t e s in a high speed m i x e r . Then are added 19,140 p a r t s of an
acrylic/styrene copolymer latex sold by Polyvinyl Chemical Industries under
the trademark Neocryl A-623 and which has a resin content of about 35% and
a Brookfield viscosity at 25°C of 320 cps. An a n t i - f o a m i n g agent (68.3
parts) comprising a non-ionic surfactant and a s i l i c o n e (sold under t h e
trademark Nopco NXZ), 136.5 parts of a non-ionic surfactant (Tamol 165),
1503 p a r t s of b u t y l cellosolve, 68.3 parts of concentrated ammonium
hydroxice (28% NH3), 34.1 p a r t s of 2 - a m i n o - 2 - m e t h y l - l - p r o p a n o l , 136.1 parts
of a cellulosic thickener, 1777 p a r t s of e t h y l e n e glycol, 15 p a r t s of a
bactericide, and an a d d i t i o n a l 8203 p a r t s of w a t e r are added and the m i x -
ture is thoroughly blended at room t e m p e r a t u r e .
The r e s u l t i n g aqueous coating composition is sprayed onto the embossed
face of the steel door and d r i e d at 160°F (about 70°C) to a t r a n s l u c e n t ,
colorless film.
 The thus coated face of the door is then stained with a semi-trans-
parent oil-based stain (Olympic) by the conventional spreading and w i p i n g

technique. An e x c e l l e n t wood-like appearance is achieved upon drying of

the stain.
In c o n t r a s t to the results in Example 5, the presence of a pigment a t
a low l e v e l of concentration in an aqueous coating composition otherwise

corresponding to that of Example 5 caused a pronounced mottled effect on

sheet steel having the simulated wood g r a i n embossed thereon. Use of a
pigment at a concentration high enough to o b s c u r e the m o t t l i n g resulted
in a coating which would not absorb a stain satisfactorily.
A clear protective top coat may be a p p l i e d over the stain. The t o p
coating composition may be w a t e r - b a s e d or o i l - b a s e d .
To t h o s e skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many
changes which do not depart from the spirit and scope of t h i s invention

may s u g g e s t themselves. The f o r e g o i n g description is purely illustrative

and not restrictive of t h a t spirit and s c o p e .
 1. An aqueous composition for forming a translucent, stain absorbent

film, said composition comprising an a c r y l i c latex, and a w a t e r - i n s o l u b l e

extender pigment having a mean p a r t i c l e size of from about 5 to about 7

microns.
2. The c o m p o s i t i o n of claim 1 wherein the weight percent of s a i d

pigment is from about 15% to about 50%.

3. The c o m p o s i t i o n of claim 1 wherein the weight percent of t h e

acrylic resin is from about 10% to about 15% of the total weight.
4. The c o m p o s i t i o n of c l a i m 1 wherein the weight ratio of said

pigment to the acrylic resin is from about 1.5:1 to about 3.6:1.

5. The c o m p o s i t i o n of claim 1 further comprising a titanate coupling

agent.
6. The c o m p o s i t i o n of claim 5 wherein the amount of coupling agent is

from about 0.25% to about 0.75% of the weight of the extender pigment.
7. The c o m p o s i t i o n of claim 1 wherein the mean p a r t i c l e size is from

about 5 to about 6 microns.

8. The c o m p o s i t i o n of c l a i m 1 wherein the extender pigment is at
least one of the class consisting of c a l c i u m carbonate and zinc phosphate.
9. The c o m p o s i t i o n of c l a i m 1 wherein the ratio of extender pigment
to a c r y l i c resin is from about 2.5:1 to about 3.6:1.
10. The c o m p o s i t i o n of claim 5 wherein the titanate coupling agent
is a quaternary ammonium s a l t .
11. A translucent, stainable coating comprising an a c r y l i c resin
and a w a t e r - i n s o l u b l e extender pigment having a mean p a r t i c l e size of
from about 5 to a b o u t 7 microns.
12. The c o a t i n g of claim 11 w h e r e i n t h e weight ratio of e x t e n d e r
pigment to a c r y l i c resin is from about 1.5:1 to about 3.6:1.
13. The c o a t i n g of claim 11 w h e r e i n the extender pigment is at least

one of the class consisting of calcium carbonate and zinc phosphate.

14. The c o a t i n g of claim 13 wherein the mean p a r t i c l e size of t h e
extender pigment is from about 5 to about 6 microns.
15. A method for imparting stainability to a non-absorbent substrate,
said method comprising coating said substrate with an a c r y l i c latex filled
with an e x t e n d e r pigment having a mean p a r t i c l e size of from about 5 to
about 7 microns and in which said latex the ratio of e x t e n d e r Figment to
acrylic resin is from about 1.5:1 to about 3.6:1.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the extender pigment is at least

one of the class consisting of c a l c i u m carbonate and zinc phosphate.

17. A metal article having an i n t e g r a l , three-dimensional, simulated

wood g r a i n in its surface and a s t a i n a b l e translucent coating over said

simulated wood g r a i n .

18. The metal article of claim 17 c h a r a c t e r i z e d further in that

said translucent coating has an absorbed stain therein.
19. The metal article of claim 17 w h e r e i n the coating comprises a
filler having an a v e r a g e particle size of from about 5 to about 7 microns.

20. The m e t a l article of claim 17 w h e r e i n the coating is a film of a

filled acrylic resin wherein the filler/resin ratio is from about 1.5:1 to
about 3.6:1 by w e i g h t .
21. The metal article of claim 19 w h e r e i n the filler is zinc phos-
p h a t e .
22. The metal article of claim 19 w h e r e i n the filler is calcium
carbonate. -
23. The metal article of claim 20 w h e r e i n the acrylic resin is a
styrene/acrylic copolymer.
24. The metal article of claim 17 h a v i n g a pigmented primer coat
under said translucent coating.
25.. A steel architectural door characterized by at least one face

having an embossed surface simulating a wood g r a i n and said surface having

a stainable, translucent coating thereon.