Process for the production of paint coating layers

A process for the production of a coating layer from a thermally curable coating composition on a substrate, consisting of the successive steps:

• a) providing a substrate to be coated, wherein the substrate is an automotive body, and wherein the substrate is made from a material selected from the group consisting of metals, plastics, fiber-reinforced plastics and compositions thereof;
• b) applying a coated backing foil consisting of a foil coated on one side with an uncured or at least only partially cured coating layer of a thermally curable coating composition, with its coated side on the entire surface or on at least one sub-zone of the surface of the substrate,
• c) supplying energy consisting of thermal energy onto the entire coating applied in step b) thereby curing the coating, and
• d) removing the backing foil from the coating which remains on the substrate.