| What is SiO2 Liquid Glass? SiO2 Liquid Glass is a coating of pure, safe, quartz glass or silicon dioxide (Si02). Silicon dioxide is the most abundant mineral on earth and the chief ingredient in glass. It is also found in many foods, water and beer. When applied, the layer is very thin and clear, and it is for this reason it has been named Liquid Glass. Is silicon dioxide safe? The FDA states that it is safe and can be added to the food you eat. What makes SiO2 Technology different from other surface protectors? Si02 technology is the only nano-tech surface treatment to win environmental awards for its benefits to the environment and is also the only technology of its kind to be considered “food safe”. When viewed under a microscope, our coatings appear as a continual film (a polymerized layer) of glass which is unlike other nanotech surface technologies that contain engineered particles of matter. SiO2 Ultra Thin Coatings contain no chemicals so special safety equipment is unnecessary for application. Our products offer a safer alternative to traditional surface products and this is especially true in the industrial sector. How is SiO2 Liquid Glass applied? Simply clean the surface and wipe, dip or spray it on. We will consult with the client for the best application process. When cleaning existing surfaces we recommend that SiO2 Pre-Clean be used – refer to package directions. On heavily soiled surfaces, clean the surface thoroughly by utilizing traditional cleaning agents and follow with SiO2 Pre-Clean. Once it is established the surface is free of any contaminants, then apply the appropriate SiO2 product using the package directions or Tech sheet. What happens when SiO2 Liquid Glass is applied? Our coatings are imperceptible but changes will soon occur to the treated surface. Drops of water will roll around like a ball bearing on fabric. Stains will not permeate stone, even if left for long periods of time. Stainless steel will become fingerprint resistant and keep its shiny appearance – even in public areas. The glass on cellular phones will become scratch resistant. All surfaces will stop the growth of bacteria. For additional benefits, see “What is SiO2 Ultra Fine Layering or Liquid Glass?”. What surfaces can SiO2 Liquid Glass be applied to? We have SiO2 products for glass and ceramic, stone, plastic, fabrics, wood, leather and suede, metals, graffiti, specific anti-bacterial and anti fouling products, and many others. Our clients are discovering new uses for our products everyday. SiO2 Liquid Glass products are specifically designed for their labeled surface. For example, SiO2 Textile Protect will not adhere properly to glass. How soon after applying SiO2 Ultra Thin Coating’s can I use the surface? Light use may resume soon after application, about 5 minutes after the product dries. Water based applications need approximately 24 hours to fully cure. Ethanol based products need 12 hours to become fully established for regular use. Can SiO2 Liquid Glass be used outdoors? Yes. Our products will withstand extreme temperature fluctuations and are flexible up to 200% but please refer to our Tech sheets for specifics. How does SiO2 Liquid Glass fight bacteria and microbes? Once applied, our technology becomes a durable coating that fights bacteria through ionic exchange. This means that the surface will not support bacterial growth. (See Silver vs. Ionic Exchange). We also provide anti-bacterial products with the same attributes as our regular treatments but will eliminate MRSA, e-coli, and salmonella bacteria, among others, within minutes. Our products fight bacteria for the life of the treatment, unlike older technologies that use toxic additives that are short-lived and expensive. In most instances, maximum surface sanitation can be maintained by washing with water only. This unique attribute benefits nurseries, hospitals, gyms, schools, restaurants, and public transit systems and is utilized on food preparation areas, conveyor belts, cash registers, bathrooms, and other shared surface areas touched by many people. Is SiO2 Liquid Glass safe to handle? Yes. Liquid Glass Technology has been subjected to dermatological and mucosa testing – it is very safe to the skin. However, as a precautionary measure we recommend wearing gloves whenever you use our products as the ethanol in some of our products may dry out the skin. Do you offer anti graffiti products? Yes. We have permanent and semi permanent formulations that will allow easy cleaning of graffiti. Unlike other anti graffiti products, they are environmentally friendly, invisible, long lasting, and will not discolor the surface in any way. Our anti graffiti products will allow treated surfaces to breath naturally and in most cases graffiti can be removed with a cloth or a power washer adjusted to a low setting. They will also eliminate any “ghosting” of the graffiti. This technology is being used all over the world to protect valuable monuments from environmental decay and “tagging” (graffiti). They can also be used on surfaces for easy peeling of bills and posters and on sidewalks to prevent chewing gum from sticking. Are all SiO2 Liquid Glass products considered related to nanotechnology? No. All but a few of our Liquid Glass products fall outside what is considered nanotechnology. (See What is Nanotechnology?). How does SiO2 Ultra Thin Layer’s benefit the environment? In most instances, treated surfaces need only be cleaned with water. Treated surfaces are cleaner using water than cleaning duplicate surfaces with bleach or other such solutions. This eliminates the need for POPs (persistent organic pollutants) found in detergents and conventional cleaners that are flushed into water tables or sent to landfill sites. Because SiO2 Liquid Glass is inert, it will not harm the environment in any way. These are some of the biggest reasons that this technology wins environmental awards year after year. Will using SiO2 Liquid Glass save me money? Yes. When you treat a surface with our technology, in most instances the surface needs only to be cleaned with water. North American companies allocate large budgets for cleaning solutions and the average household spends hundreds of dollars on cleaning products each year. Most of these can be eliminated with the security that your surfaces will be cleaner without them. Can the treatments be reapplied? Yes. Simply follow the directions used in the first application. Ensure the surface is clean, dry, and free from any contaminants or cleaning residues. Read the label. Apply the new layer over the original one. Is SiO2 Liquid Glass damaged by strong acids or alkaline? No. Another unique attribute of this product is that it can withstand ph values of between .5-12.5 ph. This is one of the many reasons Si02 Liquid Glass is used by major tile companies as a sealant for natural stone and ceramic tile. Many traditional stone sealants will allow staining if spills are not immediately removed but our products protect and extend the life of tile surfaces by prohibiting stains and the penetration of unwanted substances. How long does SiO2 Liquid Glass last on surfaces? Our technology comes with warranties from between 3 to 15 years but may last longer – depending on the products, surfaces, and environmental conditions. Where can I get a MSDS on a SiO2 product? To get Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and Tech sheets on SiO2 products, call 416-469-5000 or email us. |