Ceramic Coating Windshield Fail

[Sequoiasoon]

When prepping my windshield I do a clay mitt, 0000 steel wool, Invisible Glass or SprayWay. After that I'll do the Aquapel or Rain-X depending on time/vehicle. The Rain-X is good as it's easy to reapply and refresh. A good paper towel cleaning, followed by a Microfiber cleaning, apply Rain-X, buff with paper towel, light water spritz, polish with Microfiber. Seems long when written out, pretty quick in reality.

As the glass gets pitted it's harder to make it nice. I do have Ceri Glass to clean/polish and the rayon/fiber glass polish pads. It takes a lot of the sharp edges off the pits at least and helps.

I tried some of the regular sealers for paint while I was doing the rest of the car but they didn't work as well on the glass. I tried some others, I think flyby30 was one. I prefer Aquapel but finding real stuff is harder. I sent a couple emails to PGW auto glass (I think used to be PPG) but didn't get response. I might need to try that again.

 

[D1dad]

Rain-X Ceramic is terrible to apply . Often it leaves a gritty , smeared appearance that you have to go over with a dampened micro fiber towel then buff with a dry towel.

Rain x and armour all are just plain awful. When I saw chemical guys version on clearance for $8, normally $22. I took a chance. Great product with a little learning curve. Use about 2-3 light sprays on each side of the window, do one side and then the other. Flip the towel and repeat dry buffing. No regrets with this and it actually makes your window look somewhat high def. Very nice product. After each car wash I use griots foaming glass cleaner for maintenance. Unlike other so called ceramics, there's been no remorse using this.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Rain x and armour all are just plain awful. When I saw chemical guys version on clearance for $8, normally $22. I took a chance. Great product with a little learning curve. Use about 2-3 light sprays on each side of the window, do one side and then the other. Flip the towel and repeat dry buffing. No regrets with this and it actually makes your window look somewhat high def. Very nice product. After each car wash I use griots foaming glass cleaner for maintenance. Unlike other so called ceramics, there's been no remorse using this.

@D1dad is this what you use?

I've used regular Rain-X (not Ceramic) for decades. No issues applying or removing/buffing clear. Only issue when it was too heavy or wearing was the gummy edge where wiper stops. I do prefer the Aquapel on front after finding that. Rain-X on sides and back is very good for me.

 

[D1dad]

@D1dad is this what you use?

I've used regular Rain-X (not Ceramic) for decades. No issues applying or removing/buffing clear. Only issue when it was too heavy or wearing was the gummy edge where wiper stops. I do prefer the Aquapel on front after finding that. Rain-X on sides and back is very good for me.

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That’s it. I didn’t go looking for it, more so took a chance on a clearance product. I started with 0000 steel wool to have a clean canvas, followed up with glass cleaner and then this. It’s like watching HDTV out of my windshield. After this I can’t go back to just a “clean windshield” lol. Like all ceramic glass products, don’t overdue the spray.

 

[Marcozi]

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.

Does it smear at all?

 

[gasman556]

Does it smear at all?

it didn't for me. It was working well in addition to their spray on ceramic c2v3 stuff I applied every 6 months. TBF, it's entirely possible I didn't use enough...or I used the PERFECT amount. I don't know. It worked until we had to get rid of the van due to being totaled. HTH.

 

[proffittmarke]

I bought the NuFinish Glass Restore kit and liked the results.

 

[Prison_Mike]

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.

Yep. You gotta really buff it to get the haze off. Are you sure the glare you're getting isn't on the inside of the windshield? Your dash releases compounds as it goes through heat cycles and that stuff sticks to the windshield since it's right there.

 

[SOUNDMAN5000]

When I first purchased a RAM 3500 I had clear windshield ceramic tint installed ( best thing ever for Summer Heat ) but that same shop did pro outside windshield ceramic coating. I think a rain storm got me before it 100% cured as the Hydrophobic action went away quick so the shop applied the ceramic again and it lasted about 2 years I guess but I never noticed any issue with the windshield NOT being clear.
Not my Ram but I did own a small car that got a machine car wash once a week, I was using the top car wash package and that was the problem as the wax / polish whatever that car wash used would cause a halo night mess with headlights heading my way at nigh.
I went with the less expensive car wash package and the problem went away...
Also, I ONLY use can aerosol ( tint safe Ammonia Free ) NOT the hand pump version GLASS Cleaner but for whatever reason I feel Aerosol ANYTHING works better than a pump spray version be it class cleaner, especially bathroom / shower ( The purple, pink, blue off brand aerosol$1.50 can of bathroom aerosol cuts soap scum better than the expensice pump cleaners! The Aerosol tire shine / cleaner , even your Grandmothers Pledge worked BEST! EVERYTHING in a AEROSOL Can works BEST!

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I always just did the Rain-x and then washed the car. No haze or glare and the Rain-x was still 90% effective. I don't think modern Rain-x is as affective as the old version.

 

[normal username]

Weird that Rain-X doesn't work for some of you. I just reapplied some since maybe September/October because the beading wasn't as strong and it's back to being fantastic. We had a very hectic winter this year so I was surprised it was still beading some even with all the salt and wiper action.

I have the spray bottle version and I've had that thing for years now.