How to apply anti-rain on windows

How to apply anti-rain on windows

Outside, whether it’s snow, rain, mud, or wind, it hardly matters because you’re warm and comfortable in your car. Can you picture it? Now it’s time to get out of that traffic jam and step on the gas. But something is holding you back, isn’t it?

The windows and mirrors are all covered with drops of different sizes, and while the wipers may help you see ahead, you’ll definitely have difficulties with the view to the right and left. Eventually, it’ll all dry up, but it will leave behind dirty marks as a reminder. It’s not a big deal, but it’s uncomfortable. Can it be solved? Absolutely! Because if there’s a problem, there must be an elegant solution, and it even has a name – “anti-rain”. According to the advertisements, it’s practically a panacea. Let’s find out how this chemistry works, whether it’s worth using, and how to apply it correctly.

What is anti-rain?

This is a liquid solution that, once it dries, creates a thin and transparent film on the treated surface. With proper application, it smooths out the microstructure of the glass and prevents drops from adhering to it. As a result, most liquid pollutants simply roll off without leaving a trace due to the incoming airflow.

Yes, of course, anti-rain is not an absolute necessity, but even something as small as having clean and transparent glass, no matter the weather conditions, is not just about aesthetics but primarily about safety. Limited visibility can lead to accidents, and driving with clean glass in traffic is much more pleasant. While the windshield may be somewhat clean, the situation with the side windows may be a little worse. But the biggest problem arises with the rearview mirrors, which can become foggy and covered in stains, drops, and anything else but what’s behind the car.

Instructions on how to apply anti-rain yourself

How to apply anti-rain on windows

If you’re not familiar with the world of auto chemical brands, you can always rely on online reviews and choose a product with a higher rating. If the results meet your expectations, great! If not, you can always try another product since the price of a can of “auto-rain” is more than reasonable.

Step 1

The first step is to prepare the surface by ensuring it is free of dirt, streaks, and other contaminants. Therefore, the first thing to do is to head to a car wash. Skipping this step could result in the opposite effect, where polishing anti-rain could add abrasive sand microparticles that create scratches visible in sunlight. After washing, it’s recommended to further wipe all areas that will be treated immediately before application.

Step 2

The surface must be degreased to promote better adhesion of the anti-rain solution and to remove any thin oil film. Some products come with a degreaser included, but often you’ll need to purchase it separately. You don’t need to spend money on special bottles or wipes; an ordinary liquid antiseptic will suffice.

At times, synthetic clay may also be used during this stage to clean and polish the glass. However, an additional step will be required, taking more time than the rest of the procedure, including washing.

Step 3

Once the surface is dry, you can begin applying the anti-rain solution using a clean, lint-free cloth and gloves. It’s important to distribute the solution evenly and allow it to dry. In our case, the wait time was five minutes, while the average time interval is no more than 10 minutes, as indicated in the instructions. It’s crucial to carefully study and strictly follow the instructions.

It’s essential to avoid working with the anti-rain solution too soon; it needs time to partially polymerize; otherwise, it can be partially or entirely wiped away, resulting in no effect. Additionally, it’s crucial not to overapply the solution; otherwise, any remaining stains will be challenging to remove.

Step 4

After the active substance has dried, it’s time to do the final polishing. A moderately stiff microfiber cloth is recommended, but any clean and soft cloth that doesn’t leave lint will do. Some anti-rain products come with a special polishing cloth.

The anti-rain should be polished until the glass becomes completely transparent. Any remaining stains can be easily seen from inside the car. Once the glass is completely transparent, the process is complete and you can enjoy the results.

Some anti-rain products require additional time to fully harden and settle before they can come into contact with moisture and wipers. However, these time restrictions are usually short, lasting no more than 30-40 minutes.

Summarize

How to apply anti-rain on windows

The results of the procedure met all expectations. The windshield has been treated and the drops slide off it almost effortlessly. While the glass still gets dirty, it takes much longer than before. An added bonus is that there’s no need to frantically scrape water from the side windows after rainfall anymore. Simply accelerating the vehicle causes the drops to flow away as if they weren’t even there.

The protective coating will last for about 2.5-3 months before it starts to wear off, with the windshield being the first to show signs of degradation. The side windows will typically last for around a month and a half. The actual duration can be shorter depending on how often the wipers are used and how regularly the car is washed. However, since the process is quick and relatively inexpensive, it can be repeated as needed.

One thing to keep in mind is the ambient temperature when applying the “anti-rain” product. However, this does not require any special conditions and it is acceptable to apply it in a warm parking lot or garage. It is important to take precautions, carefully read the instructions, and strictly follow the described technology in order to achieve the best results.

The secret to removing bad odors from your car Previous post The secret to removing bad odors from your car
clean tarnished headlights Next post How to clean tarnished headlights from the inside without taking them apart