Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

[V8Caprice]

I've noticed that on three new windshields that have recently been installed in a friend's car (don't ask - long story!), the water simply has not beaded at all. The first two were Chinese aftermarket ones, but the most recent one is a genuine Honda windscreen, although even that one is made in Thailand - I was expecting it to be made in Japan.

On the same vehicle, all the side windows, and also the rear window, the water beads nicely. This car is only VERY rarely washed at a car wash, so I doubt that there is any meaningful amount of hygroscopic material left on the glass from the car washes. (I know that they often use glass cleaner fluids that have some rain repellant additives) Same thing on my own car, and on my own car, it beads on the windshield as well, but my own car is washed at car washes quite frequently.

If the water DOES bead on a windshield, does that mean it has been treated somehow?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

Greg.

[V8Caprice]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Oops - I meant hydrophobic of course - not hygrosopic.

[BillE]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Glass, any glass that is super duper clean will NOT bead up.

There are MANY 'coatings' out there for auto glass. How well they all work, ain't got a clue.

I use 'Rain-X', don't know if it's available Down Under. There are probably better coating out there, just been using the stuff for a long time and as they say, "Work for me!"

Bill

[exploreco]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

I find that the water bead on mine from just using Megs glass cleaner and soap from washing the car. When I got my new daily driver the windows seems to just sheet the water and not bead, but now that I have had it a couple of months and have been washing and cleaning it, all of the windows are bead now. I haven't put any wax on mine. Now, it doesn't bead like the paint, but still beads.

[The Guz]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Is it possible that there is some sort of dirt film on the glass?

I have a glass coating on all my glass so it is very hydrophobic and it does bead water. Try some rainx. It works well it just needs to be applied more often as it's behavior diminishes quicker than a glass coating.

[davey g-force]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

You can also polish and wax the windscreen if you want good beading..

[V8Caprice]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Thanks everyone. Yes, it is most certainly possible that there is a residue on the windscreen - the windscreen installers suspect packaging residue.
Does anyone think this article has any credence?

http://humantouchofchemistry.com/why-does-a-car-windshield-repel-water.htm

[Murr1525]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

The idea is true, but I dont know what any manufacturers do. If they put a coating on, it doesnt work very well. And any dirt will cover up that coating and the water will spread over the dirt first.

You can always give a good cleaning with Clay and Ult. Compound or similar, then glass cleaner, and RainX or similar, and should be in good shape.

[V8Caprice]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Here's another mention of what appears to me to be a semi-permanent treatment:
http://www.glassforeurope.com/en/pro...ateristics.php (refer the "Hydrophobic Glass" paragrah)

Greg.

[Blueline]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Glass, any glass that is super duper clean will NOT bead up.

Bill

Exactly. When a new windshield is installed it is clean, not pitted, and has no road residue on it, water will not bead. That is why his side windows, and rear, not new, will bead up. I use a glass stripper, and when I wash it off, nothing beads. I like to wax my windows with UPW, and then it beads like crazy. At highway speed, don't even need the wipers, the water just blows off. . Never had any success with Rain X..streaky, chattering wipers, rainbows on the glass. Awful stuff in my opinion.

[BillE]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

Curious, what are using for a 'glass stripper'?

I've been using, "No Touch Auto Glass Stripper" for quit awhile with good results.

Bill

[Murr1525]

Re: Windshields: should water be expected to bead to some extent?

I just clay, UC if needed, and glass cleaner.