They are advanced products intended for the protection and polishing of all types of vehicle surfaces such as cars, motorcycles, caravans, boats, planes, etc. Also known as treatments, coatings or ceramic coatings.
They appeared more than 10 years ago and since then they have not stopped evolving, reaching all audiences. They are becoming more popular and their demand continues to increase.
These are nanotechnological products, composed mainly of silicon dioxide or silica (SiO2), or what is the same: quartz. Silicon dioxide is used as a basic element in the production of glass. In order to be applied, they are mixed with solvents that facilitate uniform application on the surface. The solvents evaporate in contact with the oxygen in the air, beginning to crystallize the SiO2 and forming a protective layer (with a thickness of between 0.2 and 2 microns) that is extremely hard and resistant over time.
They are ideal and make sense in new or recently treated (polished) paints. They eliminate the need to use other protective treatments such as waxes, sealants or polymers.
At present there are specific variants for an endless number of surfaces:
· Paint or varnish
· Vinyl’s and PPF (Paint Protection Film)
· Tires
· Crystals
· Plastics
· Headlights or optics
· Metals and chrome
· Textiles
· Hoods
· Leather
What are the advantages of ceramics?
Protection: It is the most important advantage. The surfaces are highly protected against:
Wear: They prevent the appearance of micro-scratches and erosion.
Extreme temperatures: Protect against very low (-40º C) or very high (800º C) temperatures and sudden changes.
UV radiation: They prevent decolorization of the surface and loss of gloss.
Contamination: They prevent all types of contaminants from adhering to the surface, such as:
· mineral deposits such as lime
· Tar
· tree resin
High gloss: They greatly enhance the shine, achieving a very striking mirror effect. Even so, gurus or detailing purists believe that the shine of natural carnauba wax is superior.
Smoothness: The surface is very soft to the touch.
Durability: Unlike other protective treatments, coatings resist more than 1 year, and can go up to 8 years or even more. It depends on the care, the exposure of the vehicle to the weather and many other factors.
Water repellency: The so-called hydrophobic effect is produced by the smoothness of the surface, an increase in the angle of contact with water (>110º) and the sealing of the micro-pores.
Dirt repellent: Thanks to the hydrophobic and antistatic effect, dirt takes longer to appear and a self-cleaning effect is produced.
It greatly facilitates cleaning: To the point that, for example, to clean the tires we do not need to use aggressive chemicals.
Ability to self-repair: Many ceramics have the particularity of expanding thanks to heat and blur, or make disappear, defects such as light scratches or marks of mosquitoes or droppings.
THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING CAR PARTS CLEAN
Nanokote’s products are new generation products that utilise nanotechnology.
Hydrophobic Coating is a great example of chemical nanotechnology which is common to a number of our surface coating materials is the ability to enhance a material with both hydrophobic and oleophobic (water and oil repelling) characteristics, which results in a run-off effect with water and oil.
