We Say
Nanolex Si3D is a cutting edge silica-based coating developed in Germany. Like its forebears in the Nanolex range, it simultaneously protects and enhances the appearance of automotive paint, this time for upwards of eighteen months at a time. During the application process it forms an extremely tough chemically resistant coating that not only protects against bird droppings, bug splatter, brake dust and harmful UV radiation, but which also beads very strongly and thus partially mimics the self-cleaning properties of Lotus leaves in nature. How good is this latter effect? The answer is very good; in many cases it will enable you to leave an extra week or two in between routine washes without your car looking any worse for wear.
Notwithstanding the above, another thing we particularly like about Nanolex Si3D is how easy it is to apply. Unlike its closest rivals, Nanolex Si3D isn't designed to be spread and then left for several minutes before being buffed off (if you try to apply it like this you'll find it very difficult to remove). Instead, it's designed to be continually spread with an applicator towel until all of the carrier solvent has fully evaporated, leaving virtually no residue to buff off. As a result, it's practically impossible to end up with any high spots in the final coating once it's hardened, as this style of application ensures that it's very evenly levelled as it's applied. This takes a little bit of getting used to, but it delivers a superior result.
Key Features
Beading8/10(Compared To Others)
Durability18 Months +(Average Value)
Slickness9/10(Compared To Others)
Description
Nanolex Si3D is an advanced silica-based coating that simultaneously protects and enhances the appearance of automotive paint. Developed in Germany, it uses the latest in low volatile content silicon (Si) technology to lay down a film of hybrid siloxane polymers and proprietary thermoplastic components that condenses rapidly to form a flexible matrix-like coating that bonds to painted surfaces at the molecular level. As a result, it provides excellent protection against bird droppings, bug splatter, brake dust, road salt and harmful UV radiation from the sun for up to two years at a time, even on daily drivers (it is impervious to cleaning chemicals and pressure washing, and once fully cured can only be removed by machine polishing).
However, the benefits imparted by Nanolex Si3D do not end with outstanding levels of protection and durability. Perhaps equally as importantly, treated surfaces become richer looking, more scratch resistant and more hydrophobic. This latter characteristic not only results in impressive beading upon contact with water, but also produces a strong self-cleaning effect (rainfall beads up and rolls off of treated surfaces, taking freshly deposited contaminants with it, akin to the Lotus Effect in nature). This results in treated bodywork staying appreciably cleaner for longer between routine washes.
However, the benefits imparted by Nanolex Si3D do not end with outstanding levels of protection and durability. Perhaps equally as importantly, treated surfaces become richer looking, more scratch resistant and more hydrophobic. This latter characteristic not only results in impressive beading upon contact with water, but also produces a strong self-cleaning effect (rainfall beads up and rolls off of treated surfaces, taking freshly deposited contaminants with it, akin to the Lotus Effect in nature). This results in treated bodywork staying appreciably cleaner for longer between routine washes.
Specification
| Adds Protection | Yes |
|---|---|
| Application Method | By hand only |
| Beading | |
| Durability | 18 months + |
| Emits Strong Fumes | Yes |
| Enhances Gloss | Yes |
| Flake Pop | |
| Glossiness | |
| Hardness | |
| Layerable | Yes (allow no more than 10 minutes between coats) |
| Recommended For | All paint types and colours |
| Reflectivity | |
| Richness | |
| Scratch Resistant | Yes |
| Slickness | |
| Trim-Safe | No |
How To Use
You should apply Nanolex Si3D in a warm, dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sunlight. For your comfort and protection, we recommend wearing PB Nitrile Gloves and a 3M Respirator during the application process. In all cases, prepare the surfaces you are going to treat in the normal way (wash > decontaminate > polish), and then do a thorough wipe down with Nanolex EX to ensure that they are spotlessly clean. Next, using a Nanolex Si3D Applicator Towel wrapped around a Nanolex Si3D Applicator Block, spread a thick layer of Nanolex Si3D on to the first 18 x 18 section of bodywork, using light pressure and overlapping strokes. Then, continue spreading the product in a criss-cross fashion until it completely disappears. Next, finish the levelling process by buffing the treated section with a Nanolex Microfiber Buffing Towel. Finally, using a bright light, check the section carefully for any smears and remove them before moving on; failure to remove smears fully can result in them hardening to the point of being impossible to remove without machine polishing, so make sure you are thorough!
After all of the bodywork is treated the car must then be left in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight for a minimum of 12 hours to allow the coating to harden (if you wish, you can accelerate this process by heating the treated panels to 60°C for 10 minutes using an infra-red heat lamp). Note that in order for the coating to harden properly it must remain completely dry during this period, and you should also avoid washing the car with any kind of detergent for the first 3 days afterwards. Please note that you must discard all used applicator towels and buffing towels after each application, because Nanolex Si3D hardens massively as it cures, forming a residue that has the potential to inflict severe marring or worse if applicators and towels are re-used. Please also note that the quoted shelf life of Nanolex Si3D is between 3-6 weeks once the bottle is opened, although this can be extended to 2-3 months if it is stored in a refrigerator.