Provided herein is a method for coating a surface. The method comprises providing a towelette moistened with a mixture of constituents to form a non-aqueous silicon-based composition comprising 7% to 80% (w/w of the total composition) polysilazane, 1% to 10% (w/w of the total composition) polysilane, 0.2% to 1% (w/w of the total composition) polysiloxane, and 20% to 70% (w/w of the total composition) at least one organic solvent; wherein polysilazane is present in a 10:1 to 110:1 weight ratio to polysiloxane; and wherein the polysilane is of a formula (R1R2Si)n, wherein n is greater than 1, and wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are chosen from alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, alkylamino, aryl, aralkyl, or alkylsilyl. The mixture from the towelette to form a coating on a surface and the coating is cured ambiently without additional heat. Also provided are towelettes containing the mixture.