Water beading on glass?
10-20-2004, 09:05 AM
#1
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Water beading on glass?
Just clayed the car recently, including the windows. I've noticed that my glass isn't beading water quite as well as it use to. Is there a recommended cleaner to restore the beading? I'm guessing there's a fine layer of wax or something on glass to help it bead, instead of sheet (it's natural tendency).
Any preferred cleaners?
Any preferred cleaners?
10-20-2004, 01:46 PM
#3
I've found that clay followed by Eagle One glass cleaner gets it very clean + beading.
It may depend on the kind of clay you use, too. I have a feeling that the 3M clay I use on the windshield is leaving behind a microthin layer of itself that assists in the beading too. But I always follow it with the glass cleaner anyway, so I haven't really tested that theory.
I don't care for RainX because it works like an addiction: if you stop using it, or don't renew it often enough, the wipers streak much worse than if you'd never used it at all. Clay when I wash the car, plus Eagle One when needed, works just fine for me.
I don't care for RainX because it works like an addiction: if you stop using it, or don't renew it often enough, the wipers streak much worse than if you'd never used it at all. Clay when I wash the car, plus Eagle One when needed, works just fine for me.
10-20-2004, 02:32 PM
#4
Former Vendor
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 15,545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used 3M Clay.
Never really used a glass cleaner on the glass surprisingly. I always just used a damp chamois.
You think a household glass cleaner like Windex would produce similar results to the Eagle? Is there something special in there aside from ammonia?
You think a household glass cleaner like Windex would produce similar results to the Eagle? Is there something special in there aside from ammonia?
10-20-2004, 03:06 PM
#5
Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,402
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have found that rain-x comment to be very true,
the squeaky crap is what made me stop using it years ago on the windshield. Still used it on side glass for a while and then stopped. Been happy with stoners.
Havent been able to figure out for the past 2 weeks why my glass seems covered with spots (that only appear in lite rain and since the temp started changing) tried rubbing alcholol and it didnt look any better the next time it rained. I didnt do the inside of the glass, but I was doubting that was the issue.
Any suggestions?
Havent been able to figure out for the past 2 weeks why my glass seems covered with spots (that only appear in lite rain and since the temp started changing) tried rubbing alcholol and it didnt look any better the next time it rained. I didnt do the inside of the glass, but I was doubting that was the issue.
Any suggestions?
Trending Topics
10-20-2004, 07:46 PM
#8
i'm a bit confused
your post starts by suggesting less beading (after clay) but later you write...
"I'm guessing there's a fine layer of wax or something on glass to help it bead"
anyway
auto windscreens that are completely clean will sheet water as you note, if you use any of the alcohol based cleaners or clay a seasoned windscreen, there are still wax/oil/silicon based contaminants on the glass which do cause beading. 3m clay leaves a polymer residue that beads as well. then there is the clay lubricant. now if you use water or dilute soap as the lube, there will be less beading but still some. a regular clay lube will leave more "beading" residue...but some also cloud glass.
my suggestion is use a "glass stripper" (there are several similar brands/products) once a year to fully clean to the tacky/sheeting clean stage, then pick your beading agent. i like castrol accuvision. it's a little easier to use than rainx, requires less buffing and is thinner on the glass but it only last 3-4 months of the front and 6-8 on the sides. doesn't seem to degrade wiper blades but does wear off in a wiper pattern after 3-4 months.
don't want to by accuvision?
you can just take a towel that's been used to buff off wax residue and wipe the glass with it....a small amt of wax will be left on the glass and restore beading works with carnauba or syns. also there is a comercial "glass wax" but who needs another product? rainx also works fine but most folks apply it too heavily and then don't buff off enough....a thin coat works much better than a thick one and needs lots of buffing when dry.
while many products will bead on glass, the thinner the better. coats or layers of any product will diffuse light and "blur" whenever it's wet.
cheers
"I'm guessing there's a fine layer of wax or something on glass to help it bead"
anyway
auto windscreens that are completely clean will sheet water as you note, if you use any of the alcohol based cleaners or clay a seasoned windscreen, there are still wax/oil/silicon based contaminants on the glass which do cause beading. 3m clay leaves a polymer residue that beads as well. then there is the clay lubricant. now if you use water or dilute soap as the lube, there will be less beading but still some. a regular clay lube will leave more "beading" residue...but some also cloud glass.
my suggestion is use a "glass stripper" (there are several similar brands/products) once a year to fully clean to the tacky/sheeting clean stage, then pick your beading agent. i like castrol accuvision. it's a little easier to use than rainx, requires less buffing and is thinner on the glass but it only last 3-4 months of the front and 6-8 on the sides. doesn't seem to degrade wiper blades but does wear off in a wiper pattern after 3-4 months.
don't want to by accuvision?
you can just take a towel that's been used to buff off wax residue and wipe the glass with it....a small amt of wax will be left on the glass and restore beading works with carnauba or syns. also there is a comercial "glass wax" but who needs another product? rainx also works fine but most folks apply it too heavily and then don't buff off enough....a thin coat works much better than a thick one and needs lots of buffing when dry.
while many products will bead on glass, the thinner the better. coats or layers of any product will diffuse light and "blur" whenever it's wet.
cheers
10-20-2004, 07:55 PM
#9
windex is fine.......
and is ammonia and soap based. should not be used on window tint film as is will cause the film to change to a violet color...not cool.
the 20/20 is alcohol based so it is safe for tint. most auto supply chains have a "shop brand" that is alcohol based and performs as well as 20/20.
or you can make your own.....
4 oz of 90% rubbing alcohol with 8oz of distilled water and 1 drop of plain dish soap like dawn...yes one drop.
cheers
the 20/20 is alcohol based so it is safe for tint. most auto supply chains have a "shop brand" that is alcohol based and performs as well as 20/20.
or you can make your own.....
4 oz of 90% rubbing alcohol with 8oz of distilled water and 1 drop of plain dish soap like dawn...yes one drop.
cheers
10-21-2004, 06:34 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
try Bon Ami cleaning powder
<center><img src="http://www.agelong.com/Product_Images/L-bonamicpIII.gif"></center><p>this was recommended by my Audi dealer and it works. You can find Bon Ami at your local grocery store.
Also AVOID using Rain-X this will make your wiper to skip and chatter.<ul><li><a href="http://www.garageboy.com/bmw/bonami.html">Bon Ami recommended for BMW windshield</a></li></ul>
Also AVOID using Rain-X this will make your wiper to skip and chatter.<ul><li><a href="http://www.garageboy.com/bmw/bonami.html">Bon Ami recommended for BMW windshield</a></li></ul>