Welcome to the Easy Clean process

The Basics

Glass, stone, metal and other architectural materials have microscopic pores that collect contaminants such as water, dust, oil, salt, mildew, bacteria, and lime. Constant exposure to these contaminants spots, stains, corrodes and oxidizes the surface destroying the new, natural look of the material. Once these contaminants penetrate the surface pores they are difficult to remove. When harsh chemicals are used to clean these surfaces, they open the surface pores - inviting more contaminants and speeding the destruction. Silica materials such as glass, stone, and porcelain actually attract contaminates like a magnet because they contain an unbound oxygen molecule just looking for a contaminant to bind to.

The Easy Clean Product System formulation creates a chemical bond with the surface, providing a diamond-like coating that resists scratching and repels contaminates. The second stage in the patented system fills the pores with seven co-polymers - making a super-hydrophobic surface. The final result is a surface that is anti-microbial, anti-static and super-hydrophobic. Contaminates are limited to the surface, making clean up a breeze. Surfaces are maintained with far less effort and stay looking that way for a long time.

The Science

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Encompassing nanoscale science, engineering and technology, nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this scale. At the nanoscale, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials differ in fundamental and valuable ways from the properties of individual atoms and molecules or bulk matter.

A Sense of Scale

A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter, which is the width of about three to five atoms. For a bit of perspective, the size of the nanomolecules in the Easy Clean Product System is one million times smaller than a grain of sand. The diameter of DNA, our genetic material, is in the 2.5 nanometer range. A sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.

The History

The Easy Clean System of Products are not "new" products. Some have been used for years in sophisticated markets like aerospace, defense and motor-sports. These products were initially developed by the best chemists in the world, in collaboration with the Polymer Consulting Group of Pasadena and SP Resources. Smith-Emery Labs, Ford Labs, CRT Labs and Lasco Bathware have all tested our line of products to ASTM standards. Outstanding results from independent standardized testing are just the start.

The Tests

A. Smith-Emery Company: The Envicoat product was tested by the Curtain Wall Laboratory of Smith-Emery Company, a full service independent test laboratory with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Anaheim, to several test standards, including ASTM, as follows:

1. Surface Protection Characteristics: Aluminum and titanium sheet materials were coated with three applications of the Envicoat product and allowed to set for 12 hours. The sheet material surfaces were also treated with an anodized finish, a Kynar base paint and one was untreated prior to the Envicoat coating being applied. The coated surfaces were then sprayed with non-diluted aircraft engine fuel, hydraulic fluid and engine oil. The material sat for 48 hours then wiped clean. One sample was subjected to an abrasive rub before the fuel, fluid and oil were applied.

   Results: It was observed that the samples coated with the Envicoat product had less color variation and were easier to clean than the no coated samples. It was also noted that residual oils were not present on the treated samples. On the samples used for the abrasive test, the samples did appear slightly darker than the other coated samples but were easier to clean than the untreated samples. The untreated samples in all cases were darker in color and difficult to clean.

2. ASTM G-53-84, Accelerated Weathering: Two samples each of metallic coated glass and silicon-setting blocks were coated with the Envicoat product. One sample of each was then exposed to light and condensation conditions using a Model DMC-R Atlas Weatherometer for various times and temperatures over one week, or a total of 168 hours in the Weatherometer.

   Results: Neither sample showed any variation from the coated non-tested samples.

3. ASTM B-118, Salt Spray Test: Two samples of an aluminum extrusion were coated with two coats of Envicoat product and two samples were coated with three coats of Envicoat product. One sample was left uncoated. All samples were tested for 96 hours using a 5% by weight concentration of salt spray at 95 degrees F.

   Results: The Envicoat coated samples showed no visual effects and wiped clean after a clean water rinse. The uncoated sample had an accumulation of discoloration at the edge of the extrusion.

4. ASTM G-7, Atmospheric and Environmental Exposure:Two samples each of granite, limestone and reflective glass were coated with two coats of Envicoat product. One set of samples was set at a 45-degree angle to the ground and left exposed to the Southern California environment for 2376 hours from November through February. The other set of samples were set at a 90 degree angle to the ground and exposed to the same conditions and were further exposed to water, wind and a splattering of oil every 15 minutes for a total test time of 1488 hours from November through January. Uncoated samples were also exposed to the same conditions.

   Results: All samples coated with the Envicoat product showed no change in appearance and were easy to clean. The uncoated glass sample had no change in color but was difficult to clean. The uncoated granite and limestone had discoloration at the edges and were very difficult to clean. The limestone could not be totally cleaned.

B. Natural Stone: A leading fabricator of natural stone countertops tested the stone sealers used by Easy Clean on limestone and granite substrates. The test included four manufactures products. All sealers were applied according to the manufactures specifications and allowed to cure or set for 24 hours. The test included three liquids common to most kitchens; coffee, oil and red wine. Each of the liquids were allowed to dwell on the surface for two different time intervals. Coffee and oil were given 2.5 hours and 5 hours. The Red Wine was given 1 hour and 3 hours.

Results: The stone sealers by Easy Clean were the only sealers to stop all liquids from staining both the limestone and granite.