A2K coating composition, which comprises: a first component containing: a mixture of silanes of the formula R 1 n -Si-(OR 2) 4-n wherein, R 1 is selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted and unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted and unsubstituted alkylamino, substituted and unsubstituted perfluoroalkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted alkyl halide, R 1 having 1-15 carbon atoms, R 2 is C1 - C3 alkyl, n=0-4, and n, on average is greater or equal to 0.54 and less than 0.80; One or more optional solvents selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, iso-butanol, ethylene glycol butyl ether; and One or more optional additives selected from stabilizers, colorants, dyes, pigments, rheology modifiers, a second component containing: an aqueous dispersion of functionalized nano-particles whereof the functional groups are capable of condensing with hydroxyl groups, wherein the functional groups which are capable of condensing with hydroxyl groups are selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, epoxy, and aldehyde groups; an inorganic and/or organic acid or base catalyst; one or more optional solvents; and one or more optional additives; wherein the amount of the first component is not less than 7wt%, and not greater than 70wt%, based on the total weight of the composition; the amount of the second component is not less than 30wt%, and not greater than 93wt%, based on the total weight of the composition, the total of the first and second components being 100wt%, wherein the first and second components are not mixed together until application of the composition onto a substrate. a first component containing: a mixture of silanes of the formula R 1 n -Si-(OR 2) 4-n wherein, R 1 is selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted and unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted and unsubstituted alkylamino, substituted and unsubstituted perfluoroalkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted alkyl halide, R 1 having 1-15 carbon atoms, R 2 is C1 - C3 alkyl, n=0-4, and n, on average is greater or equal to 0.54 and less than 0.80; One or more optional solvents selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, iso-butanol, ethylene glycol butyl ether; and One or more optional additives selected from stabilizers, colorants, dyes, pigments, rheology modifiers, a mixture of silanes of the formula R 1 n -Si-(OR 2) 4-n wherein, R 1 is selected from substituted and unsubstituted alkyl, substituted and unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted and unsubstituted aryl, substituted and unsubstituted heteroaryl, substituted and unsubstituted alkylthio, substituted and unsubstituted alkylamino, substituted and unsubstituted perfluoroalkyl, and substituted and unsubstituted alkyl halide, R 1 having 1-15 carbon atoms, R 2 is C1 - C3 alkyl, n=0-4, and n, on average is greater or equal to 0.54 and less than 0.80; One or more optional solvents selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, iso-butanol, ethylene glycol butyl ether; and One or more optional additives selected from stabilizers, colorants, dyes, pigments, rheology modifiers, a second component containing: an aqueous dispersion of functionalized nano-particles whereof the functional groups are capable of condensing with hydroxyl groups, wherein the functional groups which are capable of condensing with hydroxyl groups are selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, epoxy, and aldehyde groups; an inorganic and/or organic acid or base catalyst; one or more optional solvents; and one or more optional additives; an aqueous dispersion of functionalized nano-particles whereof the functional groups are capable of condensing with hydroxyl groups, wherein the functional groups which are capable of condensing with hydroxyl groups are selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, epoxy, and aldehyde groups; an inorganic and/or organic acid or base catalyst; one or more optional solvents; and one or more optional additives; wherein the amount of the first component is not less than 7wt%, and not greater than 70wt%, based on the total weight of the composition; the amount of the second component is not less than 30wt%, and not greater than 93wt%, based on the total weight of the composition, the total of the first and second components being 100wt%, wherein the first and second components are not mixed together until application of the composition onto a substrate.