Why should I coat my surfaces?

Although common glass appears smooth, the reality is that it has microscopic peaks and valleys in which hard water, dirt, environmental pollutants, sea salt, and various contaminants are trapped. So, no matter how hard we try to keep a common surface clean, eventually it will get dirty. It may sound peculiar but, even the cleaners we all use can make glass look worse no matter how hard we shrub. Inadequate cleaning, coupled with the presence of lime scale and humidity, leads to gradual corrosion and discoloration. Ultimately, appearance of glass is completely spoiled. In addition, the buildup of dirt facilitates the development of bacteria; therefore the surrounding environment becomes unhygienic.

Once stains are present, they are almost impossible to remove, unless the surface is protected with a non-stick coating. Unlike common water repellents, NanoSkin possesses pronounced both hydro- and oleo- phobic properties which create a strong anti-soiling barrier. It brings back glass original shine and creates a permanent non-stick surface that repels water, soil and stains, thus allowing much easier cleaning, less often. NanoSkin also prevents bacteria and mold growth - it is independently proven to have hygienic properties. In outdoor applications self cleaning is enhanced too, since a large portion of pollution is washed-off by rain.

NanoSkin protects surfaces to prevent them from being heavily contaminated, corroded or discolored, provided that simple maintenance instructions are followed. In practice, NanoSkin is a necessary part of any glass construction. Just like a metal part that has to be painted to prevent oxidation and corrosion, glass has to be coated to prevent staining and corrosion.

Most BFP’s coatings are available in DIY kits. There are also professional strength coatings, which can be applied in factory or by professional applicators.

Yes. The surface should be dry and clean. Existing coatings should be also removed. The cleaner the surface, the better the results.

To keep surfaces in like-new condition, a cleaning maintenance routine should be followed, e.g. once or twice a month. Attention: Application of the coating does not substitute cleaning! However, much less time and effort are required.

Under ideal conditions frequency of cleaning decreases. Normally however, this depends on a number of environmental factors (e.g. air humidity), so in some cases the cleaning frequency will be noticeably reduced, whereas in others it will remain the same.

The coating has antistatic properties protecting the surface from all types of dirt and soiling, from dust too.

Removing the excess material after application of the coating solution is critical, in terms of both aesthetics and coating functionality. CAUTION: Do not overlook this stage of the process in order to get the best possible result.

Blur or dullness is due to insufficient polishing of the surface after application of the coating solution, resulting in excess material, which gradually hardens. If more than 10 minutes have elapsed since the application, we recommend that you re-apply ONLY the coating solution. Immediately afterwards, polish the surface with a clean and dry micro-fiber cloth, until no coating residues are visible.

Although the NanoSkin coating is very durable, maintenance instructions may be useful in order to maintain its functionality over the years:
  • Always clean the surface with water and a soft sponge or with a mild detergent and a microfiber cloth. Then wipe it dry with a soft cloth. You may also use a squeegee. A cleaning brush with soft fibers is also highly recommended. This will speed up the cleaning process even more.
  • Do not use abrasive means, such as abrasive powders, harsh cleaning means and cleaners as they may damage the protective coating.
  • In order to remove strongly adhered dirt and deposits use soapy water or diluted white vinegar (1 part vinegar to at least 3 parts water). The latter should be preferably allowed to soak for several minutes. A micro-fiber cloth should then be used for wiping over the coating’s surface.

Any type of cleaner, except for highly acidic or highly alkaline ones. If you clean regularly, you probably won’t need cleaners or detergents at all-a damp microfiber cloth will be, in most cases, adequate.

No. The coating is ultra thin-literally invisible. Thus, it does not alter the appearance of the surface. However, the area where the coating is worn off (e.g. due to intense abrasion) will become again hard to clean. There the coating will have to be re-applied.

The coating is hydrophobic, i.e. it repels water. Inevitably, however, when the surface is wetted, some drops remain, which gradually evaporate leaving behind whitish spots. These are actually minerals and contaminants contained in water drops.

Sometimes, and under certain environmental conditions, spotting can be more clearly perceived on a coated surface than on an uncoated one. This is because contaminants are evenly distributed on an uncoated surface, without individual spots, giving the illusion of a clean surface. The reality however is, that pollution completely covers the surface forming a thin continuous layer. The latter is inconspicuous in the beginning and can be detected only by observing the surface from the side during sun reflections. After a while, surface alterations and reduced transparency are becoming more distinct, as we all know from our daily experience. For example, when minerals build up a cloudy layer is formed. Even worse, in some cases surface corrosion is irreversible.

In contrast, on a coated substrate spots are localized - the rest of the surface is clean. Even these however can be far more easily cleaned. In addition, corrosion is prevented, as pollutants and mineral deposits come into direct contact only with the easy-to-clean coating, not with the surface underneath. The latter is therefore retained in like-new condition for a long time.

Yes. Spotting results from water drops left to dry on glass. There are two ways to prevent it:

  • a) You can rinse glass with fresh water or clean it with a wet cloth. Then dry using a new microfiber cloth. This will help to keep surfaces shiny without having to clean so often.

    • Or

  • b) If you prefer not to dry immediately after rinsing, you will need to clean more often. You can easily remove spots with a wet with water and well wrung microfiber cloth. Depending on the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions that water contains (i.e. water hardness), periodic cleaning may be required, e.g. once a week.

Spotting increases when water is hot, since evaporation is accelerated and surface tension decreases with increasing temperature. Therefore, shower glass may require a bit more frequent cleaning than other glass surfaces, such as windows.

Normally no, since the glass has to be restored first. Nevertheless, it depends on the condition of the glass. For example, a glass door that is not exposed to harsh environmental conditions or an existing shower enclosure that has hardly been used may not require a renovation / restoration process. In such case, NanoSkin Ultra may be used. Please consult a BFP expert for more information and advice.

NanoSkin is based on the patented technology of the pioneering Hybrid Robust Protection (HyDRoPTM) system. It is TÜV tested and certified and is the most durable coating commercially available. Unlike oily or slick treatments that eventually come off or coatings that require revitalizing to maintain performance and functionality, NanoSkin is a permanent solution.

Professional grade NanoSkin especially leads the industry of coatings and it is the choice of large manufacturers of finished products.

NanoSkin does not contain toxic ingredients and it is friendly to the environment. It generates zero emissions and aids in significantly reducing the use of harmful chemicals and cleansers.

Water repellency, i.e. water beading is actually a verification of the cleanliness of the coated surface. If the surface is absolutely clean, the water beading effect will be strong, which means that the coating is still fully functional. This is because loosely adhered dirt, contaminants and surfactants increase surface tension and thus, weaken the beading effect.
Over time water repellency can also decrease, due to a minor coating’s degradation. However, this is normal and does not necessarily imply a reduced coating performance.