Review w/Video - Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass

[Nick McKees37]

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Rain rain go away, come again another day. Does anyone else remember singing that as a child? I do, but mainly because I still sing it to this day. Rain, among other things, is an Auto Geek's worst enemy, unless of course you have a RaceDeck equipped man-cave, er, garage to park your vehicle in. Gtechniq, a UK company that manufactures a world-class line of exterior coatings, has a product that at least makes driving in the rain safer, and a little more enjoyable.

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Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass provides a crystal clear, hydrophobic coating on treated glass surfaces that repels water, moisture and any other unwanted contaminants, excluding birds. Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass is resistant to wiper blades and will easily outlast other ordinary glass sealants. Treated glass stays cleaner longer and at speeds above 30 mph, you won't even have to turn your windshield wipers on.

Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass should be applied to glass surfaces that are squeaky clean and free of contaminants. Clean the glass first and if necessary, use a glass cleaning clay bar to remove any stubborn contaminants. The glass for this test was in great shape so it only needed a quick cleaning with Diamondite Glass & Surface Cleaner.

Gtechniq recommends using G4 Glass Nano Polish before applying G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass. G4 Glass Nano Polish utilizes nano abrasives and citric acid to cleanse glass of inspect remains, tree sap, light water spots and other contaminants. It's fairly easy to apply and provides more than enough bite when used with a Indigo Microfiber Applicator.

Use firm pressure when working in a glass polish by hand.

After removing the residue from G4 Glass Nano Polish, it was time to apply G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass. G1 is available in two sizes, 15 ml and 100 ml. Both sizes include several non-linting applicators.

While applying light pressure to the applicator, move the applicator in an up and down and then side to side motion to ensure no small area is missed. Gtechniq recommends applying three coats total, and that's exactly what I did. You should wait at least 2 or 3 minutes between coats.

Even after accidentally spilling some of the coating, I only used less than half the 15 ml bottle for the entire windshield.

Gtechniq includes a residue remover with every bottle of G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass. You apply this a couple minutes after applying the third coat of G1. Using firm pressure, wipe in a side to side and up and down motion, making sure no area is missed.

Lightly buff the glass with a microfiber towel to ensure all remaining residue is removed.

Application of Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass is very straight forward and when applied properly, Gtechniq claims it will outlast ordinary glass sealants.

A couple hours after applying Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass it began pouring rain so I grabbed my iphone, the owner of the test vehicle and I went for a drive. Enjoy!


[video=youtube_share;qVJhKFM0qFY"]Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass Demonstration - YouTube[/video]


Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass

 

[jrs1418]

My question is, how long does it last? especially since there WILL be windshield wiper use.

I use rain-x monthly on my car.. about the 2nd-3rd week i see it weakening. I would love to not treat my glass for months at a time and still get that fresh beaded water rolling off

 

[Meghan]

The test driver had a lot of fun with this review, and I have to say this stuff really works. I am happy my car was the test subject, since it rains every afternoon lately!

 

[TimmyG]

That video review is pretty nice. Looks like a great line of products.

 

[mets2010]

A video made by Gtechniq said it should last 20-30k miles.

My question is, how long does it last? especially since there WILL be windshield wiper use.

I use rain-x monthly on my car.. about the 2nd-3rd week i see it weakening. I would love to not treat my glass for months at a time and still get that fresh beaded water rolling off

 

[Buckskincolt]

I have some on it's way! Looking forward to comparing to aquapel. Nick, it sure would help if in the description it would tell you the estimated amount of windsheilds a bottle size would do. But then I guess someone would say the description says two windshields and I only got one and a half. Anyway! Just sayin.

 

[Pats300zx]

Great review Nick...Love the video :dblthumb2:

 

[Lowejackson]

My question is, how long does it last? especially since there WILL be windshield wiper use.

I use rain-x monthly on my car.. about the 2nd-3rd week i see it weakening. I would love to not treat my glass for months at a time and still get that fresh beaded water rolling off

I seem to get about 10-11 months before the need to reapply G1

Edit. Some people apply G5 over G1

Edit 2. Sorry, forgive my rudeness for not saying this was a great and well written review

 

[DEXTERITY]

I can't wait to see how it stands up to aquapel as well.. I assume I need to find a way to remove the aquapel coating before trying this? I didn't order the glass polish

 

[Meghan]

It's great stuff, I got to test it out again on my way home, you can always count on an afternoon rain storm here.... all I can say is good stuff!! Thank you Nick for applying it, I do not think I will be using the wipers much now.

 

[S2K]

Nick, couple of questions, I just bought a TC RS 6.0, kind of like the one Mike is doing the makeover on tomorrow.
I want to coat all the glass on it with the G1 and I'm wondering how much I would need? Remember it has a full glass roof.
Do you think DP Glass Restorer would work like the G4? I have a whole bottle of it and would rather use it than buy something else.
You didn't really explain how to use the G2, could you give a little more detail Please!
Thanks!!

 

[Nick McKees37]

Nick, couple of questions, I just bought a TC RS 6.0, kind of like the one Mike is doing the makeover on tomorrow.
I want to coat all the glass on it with the G1 and I'm wondering how much I would need? Remember it has a full glass roof.
Do you think DP Glass Restorer would work like the G4? I have a whole bottle of it and would rather use it than buy something else.
You didn't really explain how to use the G2, could you give a little more detail Please!
Thanks!!

I updated the thread with more detailed instructions of G2 (residue remover). Basically you work it in just like G1.

I used less than 15 ml for the entire windshield of the test vehicle, which was a Chrysler 300 (large piece of glass). When applied properly, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to coat all exterior glass on a small/midsize vehicle with one 15 ml bottle.

Detailer's High Performance Glass Restorer will work just fine to prep the glass for G1. :dblthumb2:

 

[S2K]

Thanks Nick!

 

[Lowejackson]

I can't wait to see how it stands up to aquapel as well..

I did a quick write up a while ago Aquapel -v- Gtechniq G1, a quick review - Detailing World

 

[DEXTERITY]

thanks for the link. good write up.. based on some of the comments. I'm wondering if I should stick with Aquapel.

I too was running around wild while trying to apply it and dry it off in time, but it does seem like Aquapel may be easier to use.

I will know shortly when my order arrives.

 

[Nick McKees37]

thanks for the link. good write up.. based on some of the comments. I'm wondering if I should stick with Aquapel.

I too was running around wild while trying to apply it and dry it off in time, but it does seem like Aquapel may be easier to use.

I will know shortly when my order arrives.

When you apply G1 thin it's not difficult to remove. It's not effortless by any means, but with the included residue remover it doesn't take much elbow grease. The long-lasting protection is well worth having to spend an extra minute or two buffing it off.

 

[Agfan]

Stuff is awesome. I had it on my BMW for over a year now and it's still working like the day I applied it. Well worth the money IMO.

 

[DEXTERITY]

thanks for the input.. I'm guessing I need to find a way to remove the aquapel layer I currently have down? Maybe I will just wait a few months.

Any benefit to applying these types of sealants to side windows? I'm thinking in regards to snow/ice.

 

[SilverHawk]

The test driver had a lot of fun with this review, and I have to say this stuff really works. I am happy my car was the test subject, since it rains every afternoon lately!

Par for the course this time of year.

 

[Lowejackson]

thanks for the input.. I'm guessing I need to find a way to remove the aquapel layer I currently have down? Maybe I will just wait a few months.

Any benefit to applying these types of sealants to side windows? I'm thinking in regards to snow/ice.

I have it on all the glass but the biggest gain is on the windscreen and rear window. We have had some biblical rain recently (in the UK) and the Gtech stuff has proved its worth over and over again.

Application and buffing are straightforward.