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Clear Vision: Windscreen Deep Clean and Rain Repellent (Mar 2026)

Most car owners make this harder than it needs to be. Here's the straightforward approach that actually works—no fluff, no upselling.

Don't wait for your wipers to start streaking during an autumn downpour. Here is the gear and the process you need to get your glass crystal clear and hydrophobic before the weather turns.

MT
Mick Thompson Senior Detailing Editor
| Updated: 17 March 2026
What You'll Learn
Clear Vision: Windscreen Deep Clean and Rain Repellent (Mar 2026)

Aussie Conditions

Australian conditions are tougher than most—intense UV, red dust, coastal salt, and 40°C summers. European car care advice often doesn't cut it here.
Quick Summary

Look, I've seen too many people just chuck some cheap fluid in the reservoir and call it a day, but after 15 years in the trade, I'm telling you that's not enough. Between the red dust from the interior and the salt spray on the coast, our glass takes a beating. This checklist is for anyone who wants water to literally fly off their screen at 60km/h without even touching the wipers. (Trust me, once you do this, you won't go back).

01

What You'll Need

What You'll Need

0/8
Dedicated Glass Cleaner — Something like Bowden's Own Naked Glass. Avoid ammonia based ones if you have tint.
Fine Grade Clay Bar or Mitt — Essential for pulling out that embedded red dust and grit.
Glass Polish — Autoglym Glass Polish is my go-to for removing old water spots.
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) Wipe — Needs to be a 50/50 mix to strip any oils before the coating goes on.
Rain Repellent/Coating — I reckon Gtechniq G5 is great for ease of use, or Glaco if you want that crazy water beading.
Waffle Weave Microfibre Towels — Use these for the final wipe, they don't leave lint like the cheap ones from the supermarket.
Applicator Pads — Microfibre or foam works fine for the polish and the sealant.
New Wiper Blades — No point doing all this work if your old crusty blades are just going to scratch the coating.

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02

Before You Start

What You'll Need

0/4
Check for chips — If you've got a bullseye or a crack, get it fixed first. Polishing over a chip can make it spread (learned that the hard way on a customer's Ranger).
Work in the shade — Never do this on a hot windscreen in the sun. The product will flash off too fast and leave a mess.
Feel the glass — Run your hand over the clean glass. If it feels like sandpaper, you definitely need the clay bar step.
Lift the wipers — Make sure they're tucked out of the way so you can reach the bottom corners.
03

The Process

Tap each step to mark complete
01

Deep Clean

Give the glass a proper wash with soap and water first. Use your glass cleaner and a clay bar to remove any bug guts or sap.

02

Polish the Surface

Apply a small amount of glass polish to an applicator. Work in circular motions with a bit of elbow grease to kill those stubborn water spots.

03

The IPA Wipe

This is the most important part. Wipe the glass down with Isopropyl Alcohol to ensure there's absolutely zero polish residue left. The coating won't bond without this.

04

Apply Repellent

Apply your repellent in a cross-hatch pattern (up and down, then side to side). Don't use too much, a little goes a long way here.

05

Cure and Buff

Let it haze for 5-10 minutes (check the bottle). Buff it off with a fresh, dry microfibre until the glass is perfectly clear.

04

Final Inspection

What You'll Need

0/3
Check for high spots — Look at the glass from an angle in the light. If you see rainbow streaks, buff them out immediately.
Clean the wiper blades — Wipe your wiper rubbers with some glass cleaner. You'd be surprised how much black gunk comes off them.
The 'Mist' Test — Give the glass a light spray with a water bottle. The water should bead up and roll off instantly.

Pro Tip

A customer once brought in a car where they'd used a kitchen scourer to get bugs off. Scratched the glass to high heaven. Don't be that person. Stick to the clay bar for the tough stuff.

Watch Out

Keep the repellent off your plastic trim and rubber seals! Most of these coatings contain solvents that can stain or dry out your plastics. Use some masking tape if you aren't confident with the applicator.
Actually, wait, one more thing. If you're doing this in a humid area like Brissy or North Queensland, give it a bit longer to cure before you drive out into the rain. Anyway, give it a crack this weekend. Your eyes will thank you the next time you're stuck in a storm on the highway.

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