Abstract: Materials for coating, coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture comprising a nanoparticle system or employing the same to impart surface modifying benefits for all types of inanimate hard surfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, dispersement of nanoparticles in a suitable carrier medium allows for the creation of coating compositions, methods and articles of manufacture that create multi-use benefits to modified hard surfaces. These surface modifications can produce long lasting or semi-permanent multi-use benefits that include at least one of the following improved surface properties: wetting and sheeting, quick drying, uniform drying, soil removal, self-cleaning, anti-spotting, anti-soil deposition, cleaner appearance, enhanced gloss, enhanced color, minor surface defect repair, smoothness, anti-hazing, modification of surface friction, release of actives and transparency, relative to hard surfaces unmodified with such nanoparticle systems.