Patent ID: 7005103

Claim:
A method of making a colored automotive trim product, the method comprising: extruding an approximately planar sheet including a colored layer including color pigment material; providing a substantially transparent clear coat layer comprising a thermoplastic fluorinated polymer over the colored layer; providing at least one tie layer between the colored layer and the substantially transparent clear coat layer; positioning the substantially transparent clear coat layer together with the colored layer and the tie layer in a vacuum forming apparatus; vacuum forming the substantially transparent clear coat layer together with the colored layer and the tie layer into a three-dimensionally shaped preform; utilizing the three-dimensionally shaped preform as at least a portion of an exterior trim product for a vehicle; and forming a base layer comprising polyolefinic thermoplastic resin by injection molding, beneath the colored layer so that the colored layer is provided between the base layer and the tie layer, and wherein the base layer and the colored layer are separate and distinct layers.