Foggy windshields are a conundrum that has confounded clear-minded individuals for centuries. When there’s heavy rain or snowfall outside, it’s never all plain sailing for even the most experienced hands behind the steering wheels.
A hydrophobic treatment, aka water repellent, will prevent the downpour from getting smeared all over your windshield. Not to mention how sleekly the wipers will glide, rolling all the water away. What a gift of blur-free driving experience!
By declining the fatal risks linked with a distorted front view, the best hydrophobic windshield treatment will dramatically improve your driving response time. Never again will you have to assume what’s coming ahead of your car. Rather face up to the most extreme of weather with a crystal-clear perception.
Best Hydrophobic Windshield Treatment Till Date
Though we can’t simply label a particular windshield treatment as the best, at least we can analyze them to figure out which ones outperform the rest. By doing so, our experts found these seven to be the most valued products out there. Here’s all that your investment in them will bring along.
1. Rain-X 800002250
Aspects of Interest
With a water beading technology that’s no less than magic, Rain-X 800002250 will improve visibility in even the worst weather. Hence, you’ll no longer feel anxious about what’s coming ahead, gaining more confidence behind the steering wheel.
Most amazingly, this repellent has been specially formulated to make water dramatically roll away from your windshield as you drive. As a result, rain, snow, or sleet is likely to possess no further threats towards your way back home.
On top of that, not only does this glass treatment work as a wonderful repellent coating but also a glass cleaner to some extent. Removing frost, ice, salt, mud, as well as bugs from the windshield of your car is almost like a child’s play to it.
Aside from its excellent effectiveness, you’ll discover that applying this magical formula is actually a low-hanging fruit. Wipe it in a circular motion onto the exterior glass with a dry cloth and finally let it dry. That’s it! Your windshield is ready to take on the wet weather creeping up outside.
Flaws
- The bottle is not suitable for judicious use.
- Vulnerable to heavy fog.
2. Optix 55 Anti-Fog Spray
Aspects of Interest
While the market is flooded with water repellents that trigger allergies, Optix 55 assures a natural hypoallergenic water mist formula. This anti-fog spray won’t expose you to any harmful chemicals, keeping your eyes and skin safe.
A tiresome wiping procedure of at least 20 minutes or more, that’s what comes to mind while thinking of typical treatments. However, this spray will get your work done in no time. Spraying once, rubbing, and rinsing is all you have to do to keep all those water drops far away from your windshield.
No AR coatings on the surface? No worries, as this formula can prevent fogging on all sorts of materials. Whether the surface is polarized, UV resistant coated, photo-chromatic, or even Iridium, this anti-fog spray will easily defog all of them.
The most amazing part is its excellent versatility, as it applies to not only the windshield of your car but also a handful of essentials. Whenever you need defogging, feel free to spray it on your bathroom mirrors, eyeglasses, swim or sports goggles, snorkeling masks, binoculars, helmet, etc.
Flaws
- The volume of the bottle is too little.
3. Aquapel 98990A-6
Aspects of Interest
Unlike most other options, the Aquapel 98990A-6 comes in the form of six small applicators. As for conventional sprays, it’s always a daunting task to figure out the optimum quantity you need for the windshield. Since these applicators comprise the exact amount, you can directly put them into action.
The most startling fact is that for your entire windshield to become hydrophobic, you’ll need no more than one of these applicators. Moreover, its ease of use will blow your mind as well. Simply buff it over your windscreen and then wipe it off to enjoy the way it improves your vision in the rain.
Typical hydrophobic treatments usually start to lose their effect as soon as you take a ride in heavy rain. However, that’s not the case with these applicators. Once you apply them correctly, they’ll keep on serving for months.
Are you worried if it will take away the glossy finish off of your car? Well, that’s even beyond the worst-case scenario. Despite having a strong water repellent nature, it won’t cause single damage to the rubber casing or paint around the windshield. As a result, your vehicle will stay as intact as new.
Flaws
- Prone to lose effect during direct sunlight exposure.
- May leave spots if not used properly.
4. Hendlex Glass Pro
Aspects of Interest
Rather than using the conventional silicon-based formula, Hendlex Glass Pro works on a molecular level. And such a shift towards the new era has brought quite a popularity for it among people who prefer changes.
As mentioned earlier, this hydrophobic treatment uses molecular technology involving Nanoparticles. These water repellent particles will stick deeply on the surface of your windshield. Therefore, the raindrops will no longer remain scattered, allowing you to get clearer visibility.
Furthermore, even while you’re driving at high speed, the water will bead up and fall in a flash. Hence, you’ll find no reason to turn the wipers on. Besides its repelling efficiency, it makes cleaning the windshield a piece of cake.
Apart from that, this formula is highly resistant towards the environmental factors, ensuring its effect for a prolonged period. Due to that, you can drive for days in the rain before you finally have to apply it again.
One thing worth falling for is the transparency of this mixture, as it leaves absolutely no clue of its presence. You’ll find it applicable to the visors of your motorcycle helmet aside from windshields because of this invisible nature.
Flaws
- No drip control attached to the bottle.
5. Rain-X 5071268
Aspects of Interest
The 5071268 spray is no exception to the long-known trustworthiness of the products from Rain-X. Unlike other rivals on this list, it’s more of a two-in-one formula that will work as both a glass cleaner and a rain repellent. Impressive, eh?
As for its main functionality, it uses a beading technology developed by Rain-X that will cause water to bead up and roll away easily. Because of this, you’ll find no more hindrance towards a distortion-free view through your windshield, even in the worst of weather.
On top of that, you’ll find it useful as a streak-free cleaner for all of your automotive glasses. It will not only prevent sleet, snow, ice, bugs, and muds from sticking around on the glass but also remove them if you use it afterward.
Apart from its unparalleled performance, applying this treatment is quite the child’s play, and it does the job in the blink of an eye. All you have to do is spray it on your windshield and then wipe it away with a dry cloth. Most importantly, you will neither have to do any buffing.
Flaws
- May leave spots after scrape off residual snow or sleet.
6. Gtechniq G1
Aspects of Interest
Besides working as rain and snow repellent, the Gtechniq G1 behaves like a strong contamination resistant coating for windshields. With the help of its advanced Nano-coat technology, it offers a strong chemical bonding among its particles so that you get the utmost durability for your glass.
As for repellency, the G1 coating will make sure water, dirt, ice, as well as other contaminants don’t stick on your windshield. Therefore, you’ll get a significant improvement in front visibility while driving in harsh weather.
The most exciting fact is that though most other repellents lose their effectiveness only after a short period, this one can clearly outperform. It is assumed that a well-applied G1 coat will allow you to drive for up to 30,000 miles during rain or snowfall.
Apart from that, you won’t have to spend all that time you used to on removing the ice layer that usually builds up. Once you’ve applied the treatment, no matter how cold it gets, your windshield is likely to stay free from that unanticipated trouble. Finally, you can use it on most of the glasses with or without AR coating.
Flaws
- It contains inadequate quantity.
7. TriNova Windshield Rain Repellent
Aspects of Interest
TriNova is one of the most premium rain repellent brands that you’ll come across. They’ve used a powerful polymer blend to make the windshield or windows of your car resistant to water or any other condensations. As a result, you can rest assured of the fact that the weather won’t block your vision.
Furthermore, rain isn’t the only thing that can cause hindrance to your visibility. Since frost or snow can also build up, this formula will create a protective barrier against such things. Thanks to this barrier, the snow will easily slide off, and you can scrape off the frost before daily commute with equal ease.
On top of that, due to a protective layer, this treatment will make it easier for you to clean dirt and grimes. Plus, all the bugs and mud that stick on the windshield, after you finish an off-road trail, will be easier to clean off.
The never-ending wait between applying a repellent and finally your windshield getting ready for a drive is over. No longer will you have to wipe the formula, as this one features a simple spray and leave to dry application.
Finally comes the excellent versatility of this repellent treatment. It applies to not only your car but also a handful of glass furniture, including cabinets, tables, and windows to protect them from water spills.
Flaws
- Not too long-lasting.
How to Spot the Best Hydrophobic Windshield Treatment?
Perhaps we all have spent on one of those treatments that promise water repellency at its best only to end up worsening things. Hydrophobic treatments, if not selected wisely, will be nothing exceptional to this scenario. To make sure you don’t get your hands on such mischiefs, here’s a couple of factors to consider.
Technology Used
You’ll come across three basic versions of hydrophobic treatment in the market, depending on the technology they use.
Nanotechnology
In this particular method, the nanoparticles will form a chemical bond with the silica particles of your windshield. It will create a hydrophobic surface to keep the raindrops, snow, debris, and other contaminants out of your sight. Due to such precision, these formulas usually come with a high price tag.
Fluorinated Compounds
These treatments use fluoride compounds to form a similar bond with the glass surface. However, these are weaker than the treatments based on nanotech. Yet they’re still strong enough when compared to the silicone-based compounds.
Silicon-based
These are not as effective as the previous ones. They build a protective coating on the glass surface to keep the raindrops away. Unfortunately, the coating is likely to wear off pretty easily during heavy rainfall. Hydrophobic treatments of this type are recommended if you’re on a bit tight budget.
Antifreeze Property
Make sure you look out for the presence of anti-freeze elements in the unit you purchase. However, you won’t need them if you drive around in balmy weather. Alternatively, you can’t do without such a property if you live in an area that mostly remains snow-covered.
Dilution Ratio
As for concentrated ones, a tiny bottle will provide several batches of treatment with proper dilution. If you’re confident about mixing it up in the correct ratios, you can make a good deal out of these. Otherwise, and preferably, go for the readily diluted solution so that things don’t get tiresome for you.
Versatility
You’ll easily find a handful of water repellent products that you can use on different surfaces like car windows, helmet visors, mirrors, etc. If you’ve got to protect all of them from water spills, you better go for them. Nevertheless, products built for specific surfaces tend to perform slightly better.
Safety
Since every manufacturer tries to fabricate their very own methodologies, they often forget the safety consequences. Try to carefully read the ingredients list to make sure your skin and eyes are not being exposed to any harmful chemicals.
Ease of Use
Beware of the products that take almost an eternity to start functioning after being applied. Trust us. You’ll need a rather instant spray and dry solution to apply before a daily commute of yours. And if you’re disgusted with the tiresome way of finding the exact amount of spray required, the small applicators will come handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are water repellent treatments somehow hazardous?
Ans: Well, it’s hard to tell since every manufacturer comes with its unique recipe. You can check under the ingredients list on the back of the bottle to check if it contains harmful chemicals. Beware of the fact that some products may contain chemicals that possess threats towards your eyes and skin.
Q: Can I dilute the liquid before use?
Ans: You may adopt such a technique to cover a wide area of glass. However, doing so may reduce the repellent nature of the product you’re using. Therefore, we recommend that you use the treatment without further diluting it.
Q: How long will a hydrophobic coating last?
Ans: Although there’s no exact lifespan to guarantee, a single coating is likely to last anywhere from 2 to 8 months. Nevertheless, if you don’t drive too frequently, it may last longer. Always try to park away from direct exposure to sunlight so that the coating stays for longer.
Wrapping Up
On a gloomy rainy day, there’s nothing much we can do to make the sun glisten out of nowhere. However, a hydrophobic treatment can look square in the eye of those harsh driving conditions involved with such weather. We assume that the above reviews helped you find the best hydrophobic windshield treatment.
Moving on to our favorites, the 800002250 from Rain-X can be a perfect choice for your windshield due to its excellent water beading technology. Nevertheless, if you’re more into using the repellent on other lenses and surfaces, we would recommend that you go for the Optix 55 Anti-Fog Spray.
On the other hand, if the price is your main concern, you can undoubtedly put your hands on the TriNova rain repellent. It will perform in such a way that you’ll get the most out of your money.
Also read – Best Windshield Sun Shade 2020
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