Crystal Clear Glass: The Professional Guide to Windscreen Treatments

Never, ever do this in direct Aussie sun. The glass should be cool to the touch. If it's too hot, your products will flash off before they can actually work.

Give the whole car a wash first, but pay extra attention to the glass. Use a dedicated glass cleaner and a scrub pad to get the loose 'crunchy' bits off.

Use your clay bar or mitt with plenty of lubricant (soapy water is fine). You'll feel the glass go from gritty to smooth as silk. If you've been parked under gum trees, this step is non-negotiable.

Chuck some painter's tape over the rubber seals and plastic cowl at the bottom of the windscreen. Glass polish contains cerium oxide or other abrasives that will turn your black trim white if you're not careful.

Make sure there's no water hiding under the seals. A blast of compressed air or a leaf blower is great here. Water is the enemy of the bonding process.

Look for deep scratches or stone chips. If you've got a 'bullseye' chip, get it fixed before you start applying pressure with a polish.

Put a few pea-sized drops of glass polish onto your felt pad. You don't need heaps.

Divide the windscreen into four quarters. Work one section at a time using firm, overlapping circular motions.

Glass is incredibly hard. Unlike paint, you actually need a fair bit of 'elbow grease' to remove water spots and etched mineral deposits.

Wipe away the polish residue with a damp cloth and check the glass. If you still see 'ghosting' where the wipers usually sit, go again.

Wash the glass one last time to ensure all abrasive particles are gone. Dry it perfectly.

Spray your IPA mix onto a clean microfibre and wipe the glass. This removes every last trace of polishing oil. The glass should feel 'squeaky' now.

Apply your chosen coating to the applicator. For things like Gtechniq G1, use small circular motions to ensure total coverage.

Most coatings need 5-10 minutes to 'bond' or haze over. Check the bottle, different brands have different cure times.

For windscreens, I always recommend a second coat immediately after the first has hazed. This ensures you haven't missed a spot.

Use a clean, dry microfibre to buff away the haze. Some professional coatings (like G1) can be a bit 'grabby' to remove. Use a bit of the 'residue remover' if the kit came with one.

Don't forget your side mirrors and side windows! Rain repellent on side mirrors is a game changer for visibility in heavy storms.

Clean your wiper blades with the IPA wipe. You'll be shocked at the black gunk that comes off them.

Use a torch (or your phone light) to check for high spots or streaks. Catch them now before the coating fully cures.