Rust-Oleum’s NeverWet promises to create a waterproof barrier for just about everything

NeverWet makes for a water-resistant surface. It isn't a miracle. (via Rust-Oleum)

Man has endeavored to waterproof things since the first rainfall. A few hundred years ago, pitch and tar were applied to protect a boat’s hull and the roofs of houses against the elements. Tar is still used to waterproof foundations. Throughout the years, many different methods and products have been developed to prevent moisture from permeating everything from clothing to electronics. Things like paper, cosmetics, tents, wood and canvas have all been modified in one way or another to withstand water and the elements. Recently, within the last few decades, electronics have also received waterproofing using several different methods including gaskets or O-rings, protective casings/containers and polyurethane-based bags. Since the introduction of mobile and smart devices, there has been a revolution in the waterproofing industry to find a way of using said devices in adverse weather and even underwater without destroying the electronics out-right.

One of the new methods emerging on the market are spray-on applications that purportedly seal electronic devices and then can be submerged underwater and yet still function. This would seem great for anyone who’s ever dropped his or her device in a puddle of water or, even worse, the toilet. A few years ago in 2011 a start-up out of Lancaster, PA made headlines with their silicone-based spray that seemingly keeps everything dry even when exposed to torrents of liquid. Called ‘NeverWet’ from Ross Nanotech, the spray is actually intended to seal wood, metals and plastic along with vinyl, PVC and asphalt from liquids, however they do not recommend using it on electronics. NeverWet is known as a superhydrophobic material whose molecules repel those that make up water or liquids such as oil. The contact angles found in a water droplet simply ‘roll off’ of the superhydrophobic material, as the contact angle is less than 100 compared to the droplets 1100 and over angles. Ross collaborated with Rust-Oleum to bring NeverWet to the market and consists of two applications with one for the base coat and one for the top, which has a ‘frosted clear’ color when it dries. In a video presented by LancasterOnline (news outlet), the makers of NeverWet showcased what the spray is capable of including spraying it on cardboard boxes, clothing and even an iPhone 4 with seemingly spectacular results when repelling liquids. Like all advertisements or infomercials, demoing a product is one thing while actually using it in the real world is something different altogether.

Several internet sites (primarily Slate and Gizmodo) ran their own reviews of the product and their results were slightly different from those found on the company’s demo video. Yes, NeverWet works and works well to a point. The spray needs to cure for around 12 hours before being subjected to water, meaning users can’t just ‘spray and play’ without disastrous consequences. When cured the applications dry with a white film so using it on dark colors will show the coat more prominently. While some found that NeverWet could work on clothing and keep them clean, others found that it didn’t work so well on fabrics. The same can be said with electronics, as testing on thumb-drives submerged in water fared well afterwards with no after effects (granted it was only submerged for several seconds). Testing on an iPhone resulted in a non-functioning phone after a few seconds of submersion, which turned out nothing like the promotional video. Reviews also showed that the spray only lasted a few seconds to a few hours before wearing off, leaving behind the white semi-sticky residue that’s a nightmare to clean off. Overall, those looking to work with their laptops while scuba diving should stay clear of NeverWet, while those looking to waterproof their white cinder blocks could probably benefit using the spray-on application.

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