A method for extending the open time of an aqueous coating composition is provided. This method extends the time during which an aqueous coating can be applied or rebrushed without damaging the film. The open time improvement of this invention is useful for a variety of coatings including paints, stains, varnishes, adhesives and inks. The improvement in open time comes from the addition of an aqueous polyurethane dispersion to an aqueous coating composition having at least one film-forming latex polymer, where the glass transition temperature of the polyurethane dispersion is less than that of the latex polymer.

A method is provided for producing a sprayed-on leather-like coating. The steps include first applying an acrylic primer layer. Second, a mixture of an acrylic lacquer, a drying retarder and a flattening agent is sprayed onto the acrylic primer layer to produce a leather-like appearance.

An improved composite coating system for coating foam resin articles, including a formulation for a base coat together with a formulation for a top coat which bonds while to the surface of the base coat to form the composite. The base coat formulation is a water-based vinyl resin together with a slow evaporating coalescent and plasticizer. The top coat utilizes a solvent-based vinyl resin together with aromatic and aliphatic solvents and plasticizers. Erucic acid base monoamides are utilized for achieving desirable slip properties in the finished top coating. In order to achieve the desirable properties of the composite coatings, the latex resin-based materials are selected from those having a low glass transition temperature such as between -20.degree. C. and about 20.degree. C.

An object of the present invention is to provide a coating agent capable of giving a coating film having excellent adhesion to the base surface, and exhibiting excellent releasability with good surface lubricity. The coating agent comprises a water-base resin composition containing the following components A and B: component A: a curable silicone composition composed of: component (A-1): an organopolysiloxane in which a group selected from among a hydroxyl group and groups represented by the formula R.sup.1O-- (where R.sup.1 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), and a group represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001## are bonded to the same silicon atom at two or more terminals of the polysiloxane chain, component (A-2): an alkoxy silane compound or a partial hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, and component (A-3): a condensation catalyst in an amount of 0 to 10 mass parts per 100 mass parts of the total amount of the components (A-1) and (A-2); and component B: a polyurethane resin.