What are the differences between Nanokote compared to similar products/companies?
Firstly, most of these products will all do what they’re designed to do, some better than others, but in the end these coatings are designed to make surfaces ‘easier and quicker to clean’. The great thing about Nanokote is it’s durability. When you pay to have these coatings professionally applied, you want to make sure you cannot remove the coating in general cleaning. With the high level of contaminants in Perth’s water not getting any better, you have to be a little more regular and aggressive with your cleaning, which is where Nanokotes superior durability comes into it’s own. Nanokote is 100% designed and manufactured in Australia, out of Melbourne. It out performs our nearest competitor by a minimum of 600%. To find out more simply read our Durability of Hydrophobic Coatings Summary Jan 2014
What is the difference between Nanokote and self-cleaning coatings?
Nanokote creates a surface that is easier to clean than an un-coated surface. It is not a coating that never has to be cleaned. In the manufacturer’s opinion, self-cleaning coatings still do not exist. Every coating has to be cleaned regularly. The only thing that can differ is the frequency of a regular cleaning. The word “self-cleaning” often raises expectations that can not be delivered.
Is it necessary to clean the coated surface furthermore?
It is an easy-to-clean, not a never-to-clean-coating. Occasionally but regular cleaning with a mild citrus cleaner is still necessary. Our current customers are indicating their cleaning times have been reduced by 90%. Using of aggressive cleaners is not necessary.
What is the best way to clean my shower screen once it has been treated?
We recommend using Nanokote bathroom care cleaner or a citrus based cleaner, ideally squeegee down after each use in order to maintain and maximise the life of the Nanokote. The more your squeegee the less often you’ll have to clean. This saves you money on unnecessary cleaning products.
How often should I clean the shower screen?
Purely depending on what contaminants are in your water supply, how often it’s being squeegeed etc. In general circumstances a quick clean is needed once a week to keep the surface clean and looking like new. You may also like to squeegee after each shower to remove all the water from the surface.
What is the best way to clean my pool fence once it has been treated?
We recommend using water and a mild detergent with a micro fiber cloth or sponge then squeegee the glass to remove all the water from the surface.
How often should I clean the pool fence?
Necessary cleaning times vary depending on use, how close the fence is to the pool, whether there is reticulation going onto the fence and other circumstances. Due to this cleaning cycles will range anywhere between once a week/fortnight to once every couple of months. For more information regarding this please contact us or read our cleaning tips.
Will the coating crack, peel or discolour over time?
No, the coating is only a few nanometres thick and is invisible. There is nothing that will crack or discolour over time. It is unlike a lacquer or varnish.
Will the coating gradually wash off with each use?
No, the product is permanent. It is unlike some products that are silicone based and wear off over a period of time.
Does the coating get attacked by chemicals?
No, the only way to remove the coating is by removing molecules of glass, such as scratching the glass or using a rough, gritty or abrasive cleaner. You can still use your harsh toxic cleaners, but why would you?
Are there permanent evaporations or odours caused by the coating?
No, there are no odours caused by the coatings.
Will the surface get extremely slickly or slippery?
No, the surface will not be modified. There is no danger in slipping on horizontal surfaces and no problem when carrying coated glass in production.
Will the surface become patchy if the coating is worn off in any way?
No, the coating is only a few nanometres thick and transparent, thus it does not change the appearance of the surface. If an abrasive was to be used, it would not be visible where the coating was worn away. That area would, however, be harder to clean. The unprotected surface can be easily repaired by cleaning the area and re-spraying. The molecules will bond directly to the untreated surface.
Can I treat my old shower screen with the DIY Kit?
No you can’t, if the screen is really old, you will not be able to remove all the cloudiness from the glass as it is permanently stained. The Nanokote treatment cannot bond to the natural glass surface. The cleaner the glass surface, the better performing and longer lasting the Nanokote treatment will be. Nanokote WA provides a professional glass restoration service that surgically cleans the shower screen then applies the Nanokote.
How long will the coating last?
Accelerated testing, that simulated cleaning a shower screen and tiles over a 10 year period, revealed that after this time there was minimal or no change to the molecular structure.
Do I need to mask fixtures and fittings when I coat the area?
No, the product is not corrosive and will not harm fixtures and fittings. If the product does come in contact, the fixtures or fittings will become water repellent for a short period of time until the product wears off.
Can the coating be used on exterior glass?
Yes, the coating is UV stable and will not breakdown.
Do I still need to seal the tiles after I apply this product?
No, the coating not only creates an easy to clean surface, but a permanent protective barrier to resist staining. Note: The product is only suitable for glazed ceramics.
Can I apply the product over tiles that have already been sealed with a product?
No, the product needs to be applied to untreated glazed tiles to bond with the surface.
How long after the Nanokote application can I use my shower or pool?
The beauty of Nanokote is it drys almost instantly, so there’s no inconvenience to you. We recommend around 1 hour before using it for the first time.
What happens if I don’t clean the treated surface for a few weeks or months?
Depending on what’s in your water, it may require a scrub with a specific Nanokote cleaner or equivalent. It left too long, the extremely high amounts of reactive silica in Perth’s water will bond to the Nanokote and glass surface making it difficult to remove. If failure to clean regularly as per our care instructions your warranty will be null and void.
How long does the Nanokote treatment take?
Application time can vary from size of job to what area is being treated. We can be in and out your home in an hour if we’re doing one shower screen, but on average most jobs take between 2-4 hours.
Can you seal my grout?
Nanokote does have a specific product to seal grout. We can only seal new grout, but cannot give a warranty like we do with glass & ceramics because grout is very inconsistent with how it’s made, what’s in it and if it already contains some sort of anti-fungal component. Our grout treatment however, if cleaned regularly will significantly help and prevent mould and bacteria build up. These days most mould and fungus is found in the silicon joins within your shower.