Gentoo™ Anti-Corrosion & Easy-Cleaning Coating
Next generation of corrosion-resistant and easy-cleaning coatings
Gentoo™ is the next generation of corrosion-resistant and easy-cleaning coatings. With its combination of high-performance abrasion resistance and very low sliding angle, Gentoo excels where other coatings fall short.
Traditional hydrophobic coatings are clear and abrasion resistant but do not shed fluid easily. Superhydrophobic coatings are generally great at shedding water, but are not clear, and are easily removed. Whether it’s abrasion resistance, oil repellency or visual clarity, conventional coatings have their limitations. Gentoo changes that.
Gentoo is a clear coating that not only repels water but many oils and solvents. This makes Gentoo an excellent choice for preventing corrosion, graffiti, and many other applications. It is also able to withstand significant abrasion without sacrificing performance.
For a very detailed look at Gentoo, its properties, applications, and detailed test data, please visit GentooCoating.com.
How Does Gentoo Work?
Gentoo™ is a dense polymer system that forms a barrier against corrosion initiators. This is due to its low surface energy, high density, and low porosity. The system is conformal and very thin (4-8 microns) compared with traditional polymer coatings but far more dense and durable. The higher density of the system provides an excellent barrier to water and corrosive ions.
Adhesion & Durability
Gentoo has robust adhesion to painted, plated, and bare metallic substrates, as well as glass and surface primed plastics. The coating has demonstrated excellent resistance to salt spray, UV exposure, and chemical exposure – significant improvements over traditional hydrophobic coatings.
Corrosion Resistance & Prevention
When used on top of other qualified systems, Gentoo further reduces corrosion and extends the lifetime of the barrier system and therefore the coated substrate. This is due to its excellent water and salt shedding properties and impact resistance. These properties also significantly reduce the effects of galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals.
We’ve conducted in-depth testing around Gentoo’s anti-corrosion and prevention properties. Visit GentooCoating.com to learn more.
Graffiti Deterrent & Easy Cleaning
The low surface energy of the Gentoo coating makes it both hydrophobic and oleophobic. Combined with its high dirt and solvent resistance, also allows for easy cleaning of many surfaces with less water. Learn more about our commitment to sustainability.
Gentoo makes for a great graffiti deterrent. Most spray paints consist of paint dissolved into a solvent or solvent mixture to keep them as a sprayable liquid. When the solvents evaporate, the paint is left behind to dry and adhere to the surface. On a Gentoo-coated surface, however, the solvent that would normally “wet out” the surface will bead up before it has a chance to evaporate, as intended. When the solvent does evaporate, the paint is left behind in these same beaded “globs.” In the globs, the paint mostly adheres to itself, with only a small portion loosely adhered to the surface, which is then easily removed.
As you can see in our video tests below, a “tagger” or graffiti “artist” would almost certainly be deterred from continuing their act upon seeing the paint fail to adhere to its intended surface. Gentoo is a huge win for local governments, schools, and private businesses alike, which are often targets of the nefarious tagging trade.
Application
Gentoo is a two-part coating that is mixed together and then applied as a single coat. It can be flow-coated, dip-coated, HVLP sprayed or painted on with a brush or roller. It provides a lightweight, thin (4-8 microns) coating with minimal surface preparation.
Chemical Resistance
Offers superior resistance to many oils, solvents, acids, and bases.
Hydrophobic Data
Contact Angle | Watershedding (50μl) | |
---|---|---|
Acrylic | 68˚ | 21˚ |
Polycarbonate | 77˚ | 13˚ |
Polyurethane | 99˚ | 26˚ |
Gentoo | 116˚ | 4˚ |
Transparency Data
Transparency | Haze | |
---|---|---|
Untreated Acrylic | 94.0% | 0.7% |
Gentoo Coated Acrylic | 94.0% | 0.4% |
Untreated Glass | 94.0% | 0.9% |
Gentoo Coated Glass | 94.1% | 0.2% |
Taber Abrasion Test After Abrasion (500 cycles)
Transparency | Haze | |
---|---|---|
Untreated Polyurethane | 89.2% | 18.8% |
Gentoo Coated Polyurethane | 90.6% | 5.9% |
Untreated Acrylic | 93.3% | 29.4% |
Gentoo Coated Acrylic | 93.8% | 4.2% |
Part # | Model | Weight lbs. (kg) | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
4700 | Gentoo - Quart Kit (Part A and B) | 4 (1.8) | A: 29 oz (858 ml) B: 32oz. (946ml) | Dangerous Goods - Additional charges may apply. |
4702 | Gentoo – Pail (Part A) | 33.9 (15.4) | 4.5gal. (576oz./17.0L) | Dangerous Goods - Additional charges may apply. |
4703 | Gentoo – Pail (Part B) | 33.9 (15.4) | 5.0gal. (640oz./18.9L) | Dangerous Goods - Additional charges may apply. |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is the coating called Gentoo?
It is named after an Antarctic species of penguin that repels water and oil off its feathered coat. It is NOT short for “generation two”, as some have guessed.
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What is the best way to determine if Gentoo is right for my application?
After learning to apply Gentoo to standard surfaces, we recommend that Gentoo is applied to a small area(s) of the test surface for initial application-specific testing. Depending on the substrate, different surface preparation and curing methods could be tried, to see if they make a difference in the application-specific performance of Gentoo. See application instructions for more information.
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How can Gentoo be removed?
Gentoo hydrophobic coating is very durable, so removing it can be difficult. In some cases, Gentoo can be removed using abrasive materials such as heavy-duty Scotch Brite™ (which contains aluminum oxide), sandpaper, or blasting. Pressure washing may also remove Gentoo, under certain circumstances. Another method is to use a high pH/solvent mixture, as described below.
For small items, including glassware and lab tools, a chemical solution of 100% pure potassium hydroxide with 99% isopropyl alcohol may also be used. A recommended ratio is 1 lb (0.45 kg) of potassium hydroxide to 2-3 gallons (7.5-11 liters) of isopropyl alcohol. Items can be soaked in this highly reactive solution for several days in order to begin to remove the coating. A final wash with soap and water, and then water, is advised.
Note: These removal methods may damage the substrate and/or coating beneath the Gentoo coating. Appropriate safety precautions, including the use of proper personal protective equipment, must be taken when removing Gentoo from a surface.
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Can the Outdoor / UV life of Gentoo be improved?
For the longest lasting outdoor performance, apply Gentoo over surfaces that contain a UV inhibitor.
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What is the coverage of Gentoo?
In the following statements, “Gentoo” alone refers to Gentoo Part A combined with Gentoo Part B (in equal parts by weight, per the instructions and technical data sheet). Gentoo Part A and Gentoo Part B are filled by weight, not by volume.
The following coverage estimates assume no waste: one gallon (3.8 L) of Gentoo covers approximately 665 ft² (61.8 m²). A complete “quart kit” contains 61 fl oz (1.8 L): this covers 316 ft² (29.4 m²). A complete “5-gal set” contains 9.5 gal (36 L): this covers 6,330 ft² (588 m²).
There are different ways to apply Gentoo. Depending on which method is chosen, your coverage and waste may vary. Collecting, re-using (and re-filtering) will help achieve maximum coverage and reduce waste.
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What is the storage temperature for Gentoo?
Gentoo should be stored between 40°F and 115°F (4°C and 40°C).
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What is the shelf life of Gentoo?
The shelf life of Gentoo is three years when stored at 75 °F (24 °C). Storage at higher temperatures will shorten the shelf life.
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Can Gentoo be decanted or divided into smaller containers?
It is not recommended that Gentoo is divided into smaller containers. Gentoo is moisture sensitive and must be repackaged using a carefully controlled process. The mixing process and container choice will also affect the quality of the Gentoo. It is recommended that the appropriately sized set of Gentoo is ordered for the specific application. The use of quart kits is recommended for initial testing.
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How durable and abrasion-resistant is the coating?
Gentoo is very durable and abrasion resistant. The ASTM D 3363 pencil hardness of Gentoo applied to hard surfaces is 9H. Additional abrasion data can be found above and on GentooCoating.com.
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Is Gentoo transparent?
Yes, Gentoo is transparent and it retains its transparency even with mild abrasion.
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Is Gentoo oleophobic and hydrophobic?
Yes. Gentoo maintains performance after being challenged with a wide range of solvents including mild soap, salt water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), naphtha, some acids, heptane, jet fuel, deicing fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants, and others. Gentoo does not hold up well with long exposure to very low pH (acidic, less than pH of 3) or very high pH (alkaline, greater than pH of 11) fluids. It is advised to test Gentoo with your specific chemical application prior to adoption.
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How long will Gentoo last?
Longevity of the Gentoo coating will vary based on environmental factors, abrasion, chemical contact, etc.
The performance of Gentoo is dependent on the quality of the application of the Gentoo to the surface or substrate (particularly the quality of the adhesion of the Gentoo), the desired performance results (whether it is an easy-cleaning application or an anti-corrosion application), and, if outdoors, the presence of UV stabilizer in the substrate.
For indoor applications (whether it is for corrosion protection or easy-cleaning), Gentoo could last for years before reapplication.
For outdoor applications requiring corrosion protection, Gentoo should last for two or more years without reapplication.
Longevity of outdoor easy-cleaning applications will depend on many factors. After outdoor exposure, it has been observed that the sliding angle of liquids will increase over time, but the coating can still be effective. If the substrate being coated with Gentoo contains a UV inhibitor, the Gentoo could last several years without reapplication, but if the substrate does not contain a UV inhibitor, the Gentoo may only last one or two months, depending on the UV intensity and the abrasion present in the environment of the coating. Testing Gentoo in your specific application is required to determine if it meets the requirements of the application.
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Is corrosion resistance correlated directly to the thickness of the coating?
There has not been much testing done showing corrosion resistance versus thickness of Gentoo, as it is difficult to build the thickness of Gentoo (versus a paint that can be built up over itself to achieve a targeted thickness). However, even a thin coating 4-8 microns) of Gentoo will help to prevent corrosion, since it is hydrophobic, and it is insulating and acts as a barrier. Because it is hydrophobic, it will shed water and water-based substances more easily than other surfaces. Because it is insulating, it will inhibit the flow of electricity to the substrate, which slows the corrosion process. Because it acts as a barrier, many liquids that may remain on the surface will be physically separated from the substrate.
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Is Gentoo slippery?
Gentoo is not slippery on its own. It is rubbery and may cause a surface to have a higher coefficient of friction than it did before Gentoo was applied.
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What type of finish does Gentoo have?
Gentoo has a glossy finish.
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Is Gentoo electrically conductive?
No, Gentoo is not electrically conductive. It would be considered an electrical insulator.
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How chemically resistant is Gentoo?
Gentoo maintains hydrophobicity after being challenged with a wide range of solvents including mild soap, salt water, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), naphtha, some acids, heptane, jet fuel, deicing fluid, hydraulic fluid, lubricants, and others.
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How well does Gentoo stand up to acid/bases?
Gentoo does not hold up well with long exposure to very low pH (acidic, less than pH of 3) or very high pH (alkaline, greater than pH of 11) fluids.
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Is Gentoo fingerprint or smudge resistant?
It has not been extensively tested, but its repellency does provide it some resistance. It is recommended you test this performance feature of Gentoo for your own specific application to determine its applicability.
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How much weight does Gentoo add when applied?
The estimated weight of Gentoo is about 0.85 grams per square foot (after full hydrolysis and full curing) at 5-micron thickness. This equates to 0.00187 lbs/sq foot.
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Is Gentoo capable of preventing corrosion?
Gentoo is an excellent anti-corrosion coating. Gentoo’s dense structure provides a high physical barrier to electrolytes that cause corrosion and an insulating electronic barrier for galvanic corrosion. For best results, a paint or another protective coating should be applied to the substrate, and then Gentoo should be applied when the paint or other coating is still “green” (tack-free but still has reactive groups available to help to bond). Gentoo hydrophobic coating can also be applied to a paint or other coating after it has dried, but surface roughening (if acceptable) is recommended to promote adhesion. Gentoo can also be applied directly to a substrate. In this case, surface roughening (if acceptable) and/or other surface preparation methods are recommended to promote adhesion.
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Can Gentoo be used primarily as a top-coat?
Gentoo makes a great top coat – it has been coated on bare metal (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.), on plating (Cd, Zn-Ni), and on top of current primer/top coats. The coating thickness is normally 4-6 microns, much thinner than a typical paint.
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Can Gentoo be applied to electronics to protect them from moisture, liquids, and corrosion?
Yes, Gentoo can be successful in these types of applications. Testing prior to adoption is recommended.
More Info / Downloads
This product may not address any specific regulations but if you have any questions, we’re here to help.
Additional Product Information
Uniform Product Codes (UPCs)
- UPC 808416047004 Gentoo Gentoo - Quart Kit (Part A and B) (Part #4700)
- UPC 808416047028 Gentoo - Part A Gentoo – Pail (Part A) (Part #4702)
- UPC 808416047035 Gentoo - Part B Gentoo – Pail (Part B) (Part #4703)