Ceramic Coating Windshield Fail

[dogememe]

I read so many reports of people using spray ceramics to achieve something similar to Rain-X without the sort of lousy layer Rain-X puts on there which causes glare from oncoming headlights at night.

Well, I tried it using Griot's Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax and it did exactly the same thing... sure, the rain flies off nice, but what I'll call the "layer of glare" is once again present.

Any suggestions for a product that can actually achieve rain zooming off without the glare?

Thanks.

 

[Rand]

aquapel
might want to wash then use glass stripper before applying.

 

[JoelB]

What is the "Layer of glare"? That makes it sound like you didn't properly remove the product. Something like griots is essentially a spray sealant and shouldn't leave much residue.

 

[normal username]

I have the spray bottle version of Rain-X and I don't get any haze. I've used sealants on my windshield and they tended to be hazier when the wipers would go across the windshield though but they also offered less performance and longevity.

Whatever microfiber you're using to buff off to a clean shine, make sure it's new or it hasn't been washed with softener because that leaves haze. Ask me how I know lol

 

[daniel327]

I use Turtle Wax's Wax and Dry Spray.

 

[dogememe]

What is the "Layer of glare"? That makes it sound like you didn't properly remove the product. Something like griots is essentially a spray sealant and shouldn't leave much residue.

Maybe I did it wrong, I just kinda sprayed it on the windshield and then wiped it with a microfiber until I couldn’t see residue anymore. Perhaps my mistake was not cleaning the window thoroughly first?

 

[97prizm]

I read so many reports of people using spray ceramics to achieve something similar to Rain-X without the sort of lousy layer Rain-X puts on there which causes glare from oncoming headlights at night.

Well, I tried it using Griot's Ceramic 3-in-1 Wax and it did exactly the same thing... sure, the rain flies off nice, but what I'll call the "layer of glare" is once again present.

Any suggestions for a product that can actually achieve rain zooming off without the glare?

Thanks.

Use glass science glass scrub to get all of the built up residue out of the pits and pores of the glass. Follow up with Aquapel, but make sure it's not the knock off version.

 

[Rand]

Maybe I did it wrong, I just kinda sprayed it on the windshield and then wiped it with a microfiber until I couldn’t see residue anymore. Perhaps my mistake was not cleaning the window thoroughly first?

I've found like rainx that griots is no good on windows that have wipers it does smear slightly

its fine on a sunroof or side windows.

on the front and rear windows aquapel is almost invis.. even at night with wipers on.

you should clean the window.. then use something to remove everything from the glass..
such as https://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Glass-91411-Stripper-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B07YP6Q437
then use aquapel.

One aquapel applicator will do several windows.. but finding not fake ones can be an issue.. almost all sold on amazon are fake.

Find a good reviewed ebay seller is my method. After you "crack" the applicator take a mini-sniff.. if it feels like your nose is melting its real.

if it smells like rain-x its fake.

 

[Carmudgeon]

Maybe I did it wrong, I just kinda sprayed it on the windshield and then wiped it with a microfiber until I couldn’t see residue anymore. Perhaps my mistake was not cleaning the window thoroughly first?

Careful now, the detailing nerds will dispute the use of the term "ceramic coating," which in relevant context usually means one of those spendy small vials of liquid that require meticulous preparation and application (and costs hundreds when someone is paid to do it), not a ceramic-enhanced sealant/wax/last step product…

…that isn't intended for glass, like their Glass Sealant product is. It's good stuff, and under certain conditions can last a long time. I just refreshed my fleet to prep for wet weather. The non-garaged applications needed the refresh, but the garaged applications still beaded and ran after a year.

Strip off the wax, and use it, Aquapel, or other glass product instead. Even Rain-X, if you want a mediocre product. Proper prep helps the product to adhere better and last longer.

 

[Torrid]

I think it may take a glass specific product to get the results you're trying to get. I don't use any crazy ceramic coatings, I just use the ceramic spray wax from Turtle Wax. I find that using it as a detail spray keeps a constant enough layer to make the car easy to clean and keep the bugs from sticking to it. I've tried it on the glass and like you've seen it does work but it leave a haze which is likely the stuff that makes the paint look more glossy. It doesn't help keeping glass look clear though.

 

[f355spider]

I've had good luck with Aquapel and the newer Griots ceramic window cleaner. Both work well....Aquapel is good for at least 10 months in rainy Seattle.

 

[dogememe]

Thank you all, I will clean windshield and try Aquapel.

 

[TPK]

The secret to a beautiful finish on your exterior glass using rainX is sprinkling water on the windshield after applying and wipe with a clean paper towel or Scott shop towel. Comes out beautifully!!

(It actually requires that in the instructions).

 

[gasman556]

I used Gtechniq's glass sealant stuff. I don't know the C....(insert number here) from memory, but it's worked on the cars I've used it on. Prep is key though. I have a 2014 odyssey I'm going to likely do this winter after prepping the glass with a random orbital sander with multiple pads. I did my other newer cars by hand and they're still beading water a couple years in.

 

[Cujet]

Maybe I did it wrong, I just kinda sprayed it on the windshield and then wiped it with a microfiber until I couldn’t see residue anymore. Perhaps my mistake was not cleaning the window thoroughly first?

What clears that up is a water rinse after application.

Aquapel is good, as is the superb windshield product (they call it glass sealant) from Griot's garage.

I did a very casual 50/50 test on my new truck, after noticing that water beads a bit better with the glass sealant than with rain x on my Jag. Griots had the water beads moving at about 30mph and rain-x about 33-35mph. Seems like not much difference, but it does matter on neighborhood roads.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/glass-sealant-8-ounces/

 

[Carmudgeon]

What clears that up is a water rinse after application.

Aquapel is good, as is the superb windshield product (they call it glass sealant) from Griot's garage.

I did a very casual 50/50 test on my new truck, after noticing that water beads a bit better with the glass sealant than with rain x on my Jag. Griots had the water beads moving at about 30mph and rain-x about 33-35mph. Seems like not much difference, but it does matter on neighborhood roads.

https://www.griotsgarage.com/glass-sealant-8-ounces/

The bigger difference is that the Griot's application will still be working months from now, while the Rain-X may not be as durable.

I can't offer a definitive, rational explanation for it, but for whatever reason, Rain-X hasn't been the same kind of performer since the original company that developed it, Unelko, since the brand and product were sold to Shell, then later to ITW.

Both are still essentially the same product; a polymer coating in solution for easy application, using the same method (though GG omits the wetted removal), but GG performs more like R-X used to, compared to the current product. I do believe the carrier solvent did change at some point.

 

[Sierra048]

I quit using Rain-X years ago. For a while I didn't use any treatment for my windows but missed the results of a window treatment. It was on BITOG that I read about using Griots 3 in 1 Ceramic Wax as a window treatment. Since that's what I've been using for our truck's paint maintenance, I decided to give it a try. I haven't used anything else since. After washing the truck and drying, I clean the windows\windshield with a spritz of Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions MIST window cleaner and follow up with the Griots 3 in 1 Ceramic Wax. I let it sit for a few minutes and buff it out with a clean microfiber towel. My windows turn out just fine without any streaking and give me the results I like and performs well between washing\details. Maybe it helps that the truck stays in the garage when not being driven.

 

[Tempest1]

I use a Graphene Rinseless as my window wash so the barrier is constantly renewed.