Water-repellant, self-cleaning coatings and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. In one embodiment, a hydrophobic or super hydrophobic
coating is applied to the surface of a
golf ball to make the golf-ball water-repellant and self-cleaning. Suitable
coating materials include
silicone compounds,
silicone compounds, nanoparticles,
silanes,
fluorocarbon polymers, perfluoroalkyl ethyl
methacrylate (PPFEMA) coated
polycaprolactone, hydrocarbons,
polymer mats made of
polystyrene and poly[
tetrafluoroethylene-co-(vinylidene
fluoride)-co-propylene] (PTVFP);
polyethylene glycol with glucose and
sucrose in conjunction with a hydrophobic substance; combinations of nanoparticles with
polyethylene or
polypropylene;
high density polyethylene, technical waxes; films of rough particles of
metal oxides,
polymer binder
layers containing a plurality of porous protrusions, and combinations thereof. Suitable
coating techniques include, but are not limited to, spraying, dipping, painting, brushing, or wiping (such as applying the coating from a towel or
sponge). The coating material or the outer layer of the
golf ball may be modified to create nano- or
micro roughness or patterns on the surface of the
golf ball, which can induce the
lotus effect. This roughness or pattern can be created using a variety of techniques known in the art including, but not limited to,
etching, top / down methodologies, bottom / up methodologies, or combinations thereof.