This
article details all aspects of Nano-coatings for the automotive sector, from their technical characteristics to uses and applications.
by Technocoating*
One of the most recent appearances for lovers of cars and the world of "Detailing" have been the so-called "nano-coatings". At the moment they are the most technologically advanced products in terms of protection. As its word indicates in English a nano-coating is a protective coating or layer. Traditional protection products are based on natural or synthetic waxes (sealants) or polymer-based products (some of them called nanotechnological).
A nano-coating is synthesized using molecular engineering technology to create a coating with a nano polymer structure.
Nanoparticles can be used as an additive in a coating to reinforce the polymer matrix, reduce substrate degradation to UV rays, improve chemical resistance and change the electrochemical properties of the coating.
Nanoparticles give them special properties. For example, if it is a question of giving the paint an anti-humidity effect, it will allow the water to slide on the surface without wetting it. We are talking about a very interesting phenomenon since thanks to nano-coatings cars could always be dry, including rainy days.
Large small-scale solutions
The smaller the particles the closer they reside to each other, which alters the surface area and the characteristics of the materials dramatically. The reason why water, dust and dirt are kept on many surfaces, is because the pores on the surface of those materials are large and far apart from each other.
The new sealants for automotive paints formulated with nano-structured materials penetrate the smallest pores of the vehicle's paint either, the factory, custom paints or that were used for repainting, protecting from wear, scratching, jumping, dirt, bugs, watermarks, bird dirt and chemicals.
Nano-coatings can be applied on different surfaces of a car, motorcycle, boat, etc. Not only are they applied on the paint as it may seem obvious, but there are also special and specific versions that apply to tires, plastics, glass, headlights, convertible or convertible hoods, even leather. Its scope is extensive.
Nano-coatings are usually composed mainly of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), that is, quartz, although the most advanced are hybrids of Perhydropolysylazene (SiH2NH).
To be applied, they are mixed with solvents that help us obtain a uniform application on the surface. When these solvents evaporate in contact with oxygen from the air, the crystallization of SiO2 begins, forming an extremely hard and durable protective layer over time. This technology was discovered about 9 years ago, but it has taken a few years to lower costs and be able to offer this solution at a reasonable price as it already is today.
The key property of SiO2 nano-coatings is their property to increase the total hardness of the paint layer to a level of 9H (hardness determined on the MOHS scale and with the ASTM D3363 standard) and increase the thickness. This increases protection. The thickness is measurable and is usually between 0.2 and 1.5 microns. Normally 90% of solvents evaporate in the first 24 hours, and 100% evaporation and complete curing is achieved in 2 - 7 days depending slightly on environmental conditions. At that time, when it has already completely healed, the chemical bonds have hardened, they are chemically resistant to watermarks, bird droppings, scratches, scale of contaminants and various dirt; then the nano-coating layer is firm, solid, hard and with a high durability over time.
Another advantage is the structural strength of the quartz layer produced by the tiny molecules strongly adhered to each other, which does not decompose its structural integrity with aggressive detergents, bird droppings, pressure washing, etc ...
Properties of nano-coatings
On the properties of nano-coatings we can highlight the following:
1. High strength. They normally resist chemicals of almost all the usual PH, being vulnerable only for extremely acidic and alkaline cases.
2. Self-cleaning. This property lies in the fact that SiO2 compounds repel water and dust very well. They are hydrophobic. Therefore a vehicle treated with a nano-coating will remain cleaner than an untreated one. And when we wash it, it will facilitate cleaning by not being so attached to the dirt to the surface. Here we see its high hydrophobic capacity.
3. High Durability. It is estimated between 1 to 2 years depending on the product applied, number of layers, etc.
4. Glossy finish. Its finish can be even superior to some carnauba waxes, being much more durable.
6. Anti-scratches. Its resistance and hardness makes it avoid part of the "swirls" or scratches that can be generated during washing.
Application
The way nano-coatings are applied is slightly more difficult than a wax. It basically requires a deep cleaning of the paint, a decontamination, even recommending polishing the paint, although this last point is not strictly necessary. Then it will be necessary to strictly follow the instructions of each manufacturer and depending on the product and the surface to be treated and usually a specific pre-application cleaner is required. A correct application of the product is important because once cured, only a cutting polish is able to remove a layer of nano-coating.
There are several manufacturers on the market that have among their ranges nano-coatings. Each with variants of these products in various concentrations of SiO2, prices and qualities. Those manufactured in Germany such as Nanolex and Technocoating stand out in this area for their special and specific design for certain surfaces as well as their excellent quality.
The future of nano-coatings is not over, but far from it is a large emerging market and is currently being investigated with other minerals and hybrid formations that can offer better performance than SiO2.
Am I interested in placing nano-coatings on my car?
It depends on each person and each car. As advantages over waxes and sealants, we can affirm that their performance is superior. As a disadvantage is that the preparation is much more delicate and laborious. In addition, the cost of the product is much higher. Regarding the finish, it is already a matter of taste, but the warmth and wet effect of a good natural carnauba wax that was unsurpassed according to the gurus of Detailing is now in a constant technological evolution. Each person decides what interests them most.
Resistance to bird droppings?
Currently, nano-coatings are the most resistant protections. That is why they are the ones that most endure the unpleasant acid marks left in our painting by bird droppings. In certain circumstances it is proven that hybrid nano-coatings such as Techno-9H Plus or nanolex Si3D resist the corrosive attack of bird droppings. There are several factors that influence, such as the number of layers of nano-coating that we carry, the type of bird, the time of permanence of the excrement on the nano-coating, if it has given the sun, etc ...
For waxes and sealants the protection against these attacks is very limited, and therefore it is necessary to eliminate the remains of excrement as soon as possible, because they do not resist for a long time. Maybe minutes or a few hours.
* More information in www.technocoating.com.mx or www.nanolex.mx
