Patent ID: 8152982

Claim:
A process for forming a multilayer composite coating on a substrate, the process comprising: forming an electrodeposition coating layer on the substrate by electrodeposition of a curable electrodepositable coating composition over at least a portion of the substrate; optionally, heating the coated substrate to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the electrodeposition coating layer; forming a first basecoating layer on the electrodeposition coating layer by depositing an aqueous curable first basecoating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of polymeric microparticles directly onto at least a portion of the electrodeposition coating layer, optionally, dehydrating the first basecoating layer; forming a second basecoating layer on the first basecoating layer by depositing an aqueous curable second basecoating composition, which is the same or different from the first basecoating composition, directly onto at least a portion of the first basecoating layer, optionally, dehydrating the second basecoating layer; forming a top coating layer on the second basecoating layer by depositing a curable top coating composition which is substantially pigment-free directly onto at least a portion of the second basecoating layer; and curing the top coating layer, the second basecoating layer, the first basecoating layer, and, optionally, the electrodeposition coating layer simultaneously, wherein the percent light transmission through the cured first basecoating layer, the cured second basecoating layer, and the cured top coating layer at a wavelength of from 400 to 500 nm is 3.06%+/−0.05 to 0.10 or less; and wherein the cured second basecoating layer color hides the cured first basecoating layer.