A new chemical coating repels water, oil and dirt to such an extent that if you apply it to your mountain bike, clothes and shoes you will never again need to hose it down after a winter ride.
Washing your bike after a muddy ride keeps it looking good and helps extend the life of your components, but it’s a time-consuming ritual when all you want to do is put your feet up and have a cup of tea. Ultra-Ever Dry is a super-hydrophobic (water) and oleophobic (hydrocarbons) coating that uses nanotechnology to create a barrier of air that repels water, oil and other liquids unlike any coating seen before.
Ultra-Ever Dry is a two-part spray that can be applied with a paint gun or simple trigger atomiser. It’s particularly well-suited to mountain bikes because at present it is available only in a translucent white finish – it will cover a gloss paint with a dull, matt finish that might not be welcome on a spanky-looking road bike.
Two litres of Ever Dry cost about £100 but bike cleaning products and lubricants are not free and that’s enough coating to keep your bike, clothes and shoes protected from the worst winter can throw at them for perhaps a decade of winter cycling.
What is nanotechnology?
Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study, application and manipulation of matter at a molecular level and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering. Nanotechnology is not just a new field of science and engineering, but a new way of looking at, studying and producing useful products. Nanoscience and nanotechnology involve the ability to see and to control individual atoms and molecules. It’s hard to imagine the scale of nanotechnology. One nanometre is a billionth of a meter. a sheet of newspaper is about 100,000 nanometres thick, a human hair is approximately 80,000 – 100,000 nanometres wide. Ultra-Ever Dry is based on nanotechnology and is what allows it to achieve its unique characteristics.
What do the terms ‘super-hydrophobic’ and ‘oleophobic’ mean?
Ultra-Ever Dry creates an angle of 160-175 degrees. Car windscreen water repellents are closer to 110 degrees and are referred to “hydrophobic”. Oleophobic refers to the ability to repel oil and other hydrocarbons.
How long will Ultra-Ever Dry coating last?
The formula’s longevity is subject to environmental conditions (UV / abrasion). The coating will generally last 2-8 months in direct sunlight and outdoor conditions before re-coating of the top coat would be required. Other formulas are being developed that will provide years of useful life before any re-coat is required.
Keith McRae
It looks great for frames and wheels, but you had better keep it away from chains and cassettes unless it also keeps them lubricated? Thats the only down side I see so far, apart from the finish it leaves.
I cannot really be used on clothes and shoes at the moment, unless you want them to look stained…
Thegreatpretender
regarding its application on clothes and shoes, it does leave a powdery white effect but I guess it’s that or dirt and mud…
Arf’n’arf
But, but, but, it would take all the fun out of it. We only do it to get really muddy.
David
I think I would want to know what this coating does to the environment, with overspray or thru degradation, before splashing it around. After all, the anti-bacterial silver nanoparticles put into clothing a while back turned out to be not such a great idea for human health or watercourses.
Alex
“…the anti-bacterial silver nanoparticles put into clothing a while back turned out to be not such a great idea for human health or watercourses.”
Now I’m curious and a bit worried. If could you reveal the dark side of those anti-bacterial silver nano-particles i would appreciate it very much.
L. Stevens
I am curious to know what happens to the nano particles when the coating breaks down – and their long-term effects on the environment. DDT and CFCs were wonder products when they were invented – but nobody ever thought about the future consequenses of their widespread use.
Cycleboy
The example of the work gloves looks very impressive. However, I do wonder, when the gloves are used for rough work, how long it will last? Even 2-8 months would seem unlikely.
Jane Hanscomb
Where does it go after it’s worn off? What effect would it have on the environment? Sometimes we don’t think enough about the long term effects of the products we use.
James Ellenden
It looks great I wonder about environmental side effects also it does not look as if it is breathable so not much good on clothes unless you want to get wet from the inside out.
Jim Stobo
Would this work on motor bikes and cars? Does it stain or damage paint or chrome? Is this a Harley fans dream product? No more polishing?
philip silvester
Then they would have to R.I.D.E. them. Zut alors!
Kelvin
Where can i buy this from?
Yannick Read
It’s available on Amazon
Elaine
Where can I buy some
Yannick Read
Search Amazon for Ultra Ever Dry
simon.walker.568294@facebook.com
Where can we buy in the uk….
Yannick Read
I think it’s available via amazon.co.uk
David Banks
Amazing product!
Did you find where you can purchase in the UK?
Is there a company here that sells this in the UK?
Regards
David Banks
m john mcclane
bet that could be the new way to waterproof rc cars n rock crawlers
phill
Those guys worried about the environment probably want to use it on their beards to save washing them…
Drei
I wonder if these could work on motorbike for commuting motorbikes to avoid rain mud and salt… I have been using that ACF50 spray. Even better on the motorbike clothes so they become 100% waterproof or on leather suits to avoid them getting wet and heavy. I am currently using wax on the leather and the visor.
Question is how long does it last and how much would it cost to apply to a full bike, could you apply to visor and see through?
Yannick Read
It leaves a slightly opaque finish so I don’t think it would be suitable for use on a visor
Paul Sharman
This greatly worries me – nano particles have the potential to cause untold environmental damage and by cycling we are hopefully expressing our awareness of these issues.
Steve
Bicycles…………. Wash, and wipe over with GT85, avoiding the braking surfaces. Lube chain with a good dry lube. GT85 does a very good job of keeping a bicycle looking very clean, and the PTFE in GT85 helps keep some much off……………. OOOOoossschhh !
Utomo
Need some improvement :
1 make it clear. No color.
2 last longer is better. Try to maximize it. Because the price is not cheap
james
Can this produft be used on car body paintwork. Price per litre
Mark B
PTFE was thought of as safe for years. If you still think it is read the Ecologist – “Behind the Label : Chain Lube” from 13th May 2009. Are there similar nano timebombs ahead? Surely if you’re that bothered about cleaning your bike then maybe you should not go through puddles or mud!