Patent ID: 7959839

Claim:
A method of forming a composite article in a mold including a surface defining a mold cavity, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a decal to the surface of the mold, the decal including a backing paper layer disposed adjacent the surface of the mold and a decal layer overlaying the backing paper layer with the decal layer having an inner surface opposite the surface of the mold; applying a paint composition into the mold cavity and over the mold surface and the inner surface of the decal layer to form a paint layer having an outer surface and an inner surface, with the inner surface of the paint layer opposite the surface of the mold, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the paint layer bonded to the inner surface of the decal layer; applying a polyurethane elastomer composition into the mold cavity and over the inner surface of the paint layer to form an elastomeric backing layer bonded to the inner surface of the paint layer; and demolding the composite article from the mold; wherein the decal layer has a thickness less than or equal to a combined thickness of the paint and elastomeric backing layers.