Solvent-free water-soluble silane-modified silicates

A method of hydrophilizing a surface, the method comprising applying an aqueous solution of modified silicates to the surface to form a coating, the aqueous solution of modified silicates comprising a modified silicate dissolved in water, wherein the modified silicate is obtained by reacting

• (a) an initially charged aqueous solution of silicates of the general formula M2O·mSiO2, where M is a cation from the group of Li+, Na+, K+, NY4+, where Y is a hydrogen atom and/or an alkyl or alkenyl radical having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, where m is from 1 to 4, and
• (b) at least one silane of the general formula (i)
• R—(CH2)n—Si—(X)3 (i)
• wherein X is independently OCH3 , OC2H5 , OC3H7, OCOCH3;
• R is a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, or cyclic radical having at least one oxygen and/or nitrogen atom and at least 2 carbon atoms, and n is from 1 to 3,
• at temperatures of 5 to 100° C., wherein the alcohols formed in the reaction are removed by distillation,
• wherein the aqueous solution is clear and free of organic solvents and is pumpable.