An electroluminescent (EL) coating system for a vehicle and a method of providing
the EL coating system are disclosed. A dielectric coating composition is applied
to a conductive substrate, such as an automotive body panel. Application of the
dielectric coating composition, which includes an EL phosphor, forms a dielectric
film layer on the substrate. A conductive coating composition, which includes an
electroconductive additive, is applied to the dielectric film layer to form a conductive
film layer on the dielectric film layer. The dielectric coating composition is
disposed between the substrate and conductive film layer such that the conductive
film layer remains spaced from the substrate. The EL phosphor in the dielectric
film layer is excitable by an electrical field established across the dielectric
film layer. As such, the coating system of the vehicle is EL, or 'electroluminesces,'
upon application of an electrical charge to the substrate and the conductive film layer.
