window sealant advice

[ScottStoef]

I am trying to figure out the best window sealant to use on my vehicles. I would prefer something that will last a year or longer. I was originally about getting the Griots Garage Glass Polishing System since my windshields have never been done but I cannot find a lot otf information about his product. I would prefer something that is fairly easy to apply. If there is a different product you would recommend I would love to hear that as well.

 

[Thomkirby]

I am running three brands on my cars, my most recent product is the Griots Glass Sealant. All are similar in function but have various expected life. Aquapel at $8 does one windshield and maybe side glass per my try. My other is not carried by AG but did fine and did about 3-vehicles but per their life is about 200-miles of running the wipers. Cost is good but $9 for 4-oz bottle and starts with AD. I recently had the chance to try Griots and for $9 bottle I have 8-oz of product. It works the same you get more and easy to apply. I also have their glass polish and used it my oldest auto. The issue is realistically most are not going to last a year due to those wipers rubbing it away. But I can attest and have video of proof that you do not use them as much on most rains. After about 40 MPH the drops will race off the windshield, it is so much fun. I have yet to spend the money for the glass coatings due to cost. It really is too easy to go the other products, I clean the glass frequently. Your choice!

 

[itsgn]

Gtechniq G5 works like a charm for me. It will not last a year (well, at least not without noticeable degradation in performance), but will last several months, and can be very easily (re-)applied - unlike more durable products. Which would be something like Gtechniq G1 or CarPro FlyBy, which, however, are a lot harder to apply, and might actually perform worse in the short or medium term.

CarPro HydrO2 Foam also works very well. It won't last even probably a month, but considering that you don't have to apply it separately makes it a no brainer and a real time saver compared to dedicated glass coatings, if you're using the product to wash your car anyway.

Whatever you chose, make sure to polish the glass first, at least with something at the level of Gtechniq G4 and a manual polishing pad. However, if the glass has already wiper trails or a lot of scratches apparent even to the naked eye, then you better subject it to a more aggressive polish with machine, or otherwise those defects will noticeable reduce the performance of any sealant or coating you might apply to it.

 

[Jon TDS]

I have Griots too on our personal car. Got unlucky with a massive hit to our windshield but lucky I have some glass sealant that I didn't have to use the wipers when it rained.

Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

 

[Thomkirby]

That hit is bigger than a quarter so fails safety check, but expect the stains on driver’s seat can be removed.

 

[Jon TDS]

Yeah good thing we have coverage. Getting it replaced this Wednesday. Such a hassle.

Sent from my Mi A1 using Tapatalk

 

[PA DETAILER]

I am currently running the old DP glass coat. I just reapplied it a 2 weeks ago. I am sure the new version from McKess is similar. Cant complain about it. Takes everything that is thrown at the windshield.

 

[Rsurfer]

Gtechniq G5 works like a charm for me. It will not last a year (well, at least not without noticeable degradation in performance), but will last several months, and can be very easily (re-)applied - unlike more durable products. Which would be something like Gtechniq G1 or CarPro FlyBy, which, however, are a lot harder to apply, and might actually perform worse in the short or medium term.




I beg to differ as Gtechniq G5 is a bear to remove and FlyBy flashes to quickly that buffing is often not necessary.

 

[itsgn]

I beg to differ as Gtechniq G5 is a bear to remove and FlyBy flashes to quickly that buffing is often not necessary.

I think you're either confusing G5 with something else (like G1), or if you really had a hard time buffing it, then you didn't follow instructions and applied it too thick or something. Or it was an early version of the product (not in the last few years), or the compound somehow got damaged (like it froze in transit) or something.

Because with G5, when applied properly, there's essentially nothing to buff off. You only have to apply a thin, oil film like layer of it over the glass (using an AP1 applicator), which is only enough to slightly change the window tone (temporarily) to a darker one, then let G5 cure, and finally only remove the high spots - which again, not only look like oily smears, but also come off as easy as if they were. You only need like 5-6 larger drops of the product on the applicator to cover an average size windshield.

I've been applying G5 to windows and windshields for quite a time now and in various weather conditions, and I've never had a problem with it, never even had to really buff it, like a wax or even like the residue of a cutting or polishing compound left on the surface. The "buffing" phase of G5 is really just wiping the excess stuff off with no pressure needed whatsoever.

Maybe if you put too much of the product on the surface, so that it became that grayish-brown (which is the color of the original compound/solution in the bottle), then it will be harder to remove the excess or something. Or if you do it in direct sunlight, that might make it also problematic. But when following the directions, preparing the surface properly and not overapplying the product, I can assure you, that there's nothing easier than "buffing off" the excess product residue of G5.

The "hard" part of using G5 is not that, but applying the product on the glass with the small applicator using overlapping circular motions, because this goes relatively slowly and requires a lot of elbow grease. But even that not so much in terms of strength and power, but in terms of endurance and persistence.

 

[Rsurfer]

I think you're either confusing G5 with something else (like G1), or if you really had a hard time buffing it, then you didn't follow instructions and applied it too thick or something. Or it was an early version of the product (not in the last few years), or the compound somehow got damaged (like it froze in transit) or something.

Because with G5, when applied properly, there's essentially nothing to buff off. You only have to apply a thin, oil film like layer of it over the glass (using an AP1 applicator), which is only enough to slightly change the window tone (temporarily) to a darker one, then let G5 cure, and finally only remove the high spots - which again, not only look like oily smears, but also come off as easy as if they were. You only need like 5-6 larger drops of the product on the applicator to cover an average size windshield.

I've been applying G5 to windows and windshields for quite a time now and in various weather conditions, and I've never had a problem with it, never even had to really buff it, like a wax or even like the residue of a cutting or polishing compound left on the surface. The "buffing" phase of G5 is really just wiping the excess stuff off with no pressure needed whatsoever.

Maybe if you put too much of the product on the surface, so that it became that grayish-brown (which is the color of the original compound/solution in the bottle), then it will be harder to remove the excess or something. Or if you do it in direct sunlight, that might make it also problematic. But when following the directions, preparing the surface properly and not overapplying the product, I can assure you, that there's nothing easier than "buffing off" the excess product residue of G5.

The "hard" part of using G5 is not that, but applying the product on the glass with the small applicator using overlapping circular motions, because this goes relatively slowly and requires a lot of elbow grease. But even that not so much in terms of strength and power, but in terms of endurance and persistence.

It's been about 4-5 years since I last used G5, maybe the formula has changed since then. I still don't like having endurance and persistence to apply a glass coating.

 

[itsgn]

It's been about 4-5 years since I last used G5, maybe the formula has changed since then. I still don't like having endurance and persistence to apply a glass coating.

Well, that's just how you get lasting coatings. As already mentioned above there are easier ways to get good water repellency on glass, but those in turn will not last, but a few weeks, max.

 

[Rsurfer]

Well, that's just how you get lasting coatings. As already mentioned above there are easier ways to get good water repellency on glass, but those in turn will not last, but a few weeks, max.

Again, we don't agree. Flyby is a breeze to apply and gives me 6 months + with 2 coats on the windshield.

 

[itsgn]

Applying Flyby is only as much a "breeze" as is applying G5. There's literally no difference between the application process of these two products, and Flyby requires the very same - relatively - laborious process for the initial application that I've described above for G5. And the final "buffing" required is really just a <30 seconds light wipe down over the surface.

Flyby application process - YouTube
G5 application process - YouTube

 

[Rsurfer]

Applying Flyby is only as much a "breeze" as is applying G5. There's literally no difference between the application process of these two products, and Flyby requires the very same - relatively - laborious process for the initial application that I've described above for G5. And the final "buffing" required is really just a <30 seconds light wipe down over the surface.

Flyby application process - YouTube
G5 application process - YouTube

Are you kidding me, are we watching the same videos that you posted. The Flyby required no buffing..dries clear. It doesn't even show how to take off G5 in the vid. As I posted earlier, it was a bear to remove G5 and it streaked. Had to use Alcohol to remove all the G5. Maybe the formula has changed, but it still looks like the same diarrhea brown crap.

 

[itsgn]

Are you kidding me, are we watching the same videos that you posted. The Flyby required no buffing..dries clear.

For one, CarPro doesn't agree with you about Flyby drying to clear, because they explicitly state to "allow to flash and haze for approximately 1-3 minutes", which then in turn will obviously require "buffing"... as you would say it. And second: G5 doesn't require buffing either. I'm explaining this to you now the 3rd time in a row. How many times more do we have to go? What it requires is a simple wipe down, a <30 seconds process, which a non-factor compared the 2 x ~8 minutes laborious process required to polish the glass surface and apply the products on an average sized windshield. G5 and Flyby just have the very same application process.

It doesn't even show how to take off G5 in the vid.

Again, you don't have to "take it off". You only have to wipe it down, in essentially no time.

As I posted earlier, it was a bear to remove G5

Which you are wrong about, because the product just does not behave like that. Even if it would have ever behaved like that, what relevancy would that have, considering it does not behave like that now and did not for years?

and it streaked.

Which only means you either did not clean the surface properly or did not cover it with the product fully. And would have happened to you with any other product, including Flyby, if you'd have done the same mistake(s) with them.

Had to use Alcohol to remove all the G5.

Even if left on for hours, G5 residue can be wiped off easily. (I know it, because I personally did that several times.) And by that time you won't be able to get G5 off the window anyway (well, at least not with alcohol anyway), because it has cured to the surface.

Maybe the formula has changed

Well, I looked it up, and G5 has been the same since it was introduced. It never behaved like you describe it.

but it still looks like the same diarrhea brown crap.

Now you're getting ridiculous. What will be your argument next time against G5? That you think they used too big letters on the product label? Do you make decisions based on these things?

I for my part make product decisions based on how a product performs and costs. And G5 performs the same way as does Flyby30, if not better, but costs 1/2 the price.

That said, of course you're free to use any product you like, or avoid any you don't like. Just please don't spread misinformation about products you obviously have no experience with! Thanks.

 

[The Guz]

I am trying to figure out the best window sealant to use on my vehicles. I would prefer something that will last a year or longer. I was originally about getting the Griots Garage Glass Polishing System since my windshields have never been done but I cannot find a lot otf information about his product. I would prefer something that is fairly easy to apply. If there is a different product you would recommend I would love to hear that as well.

I can't speak for Griot's glass sealant or glass polish as I have never used them before.

I will give you a couple options that will work for you.

If you want to use a glass sealant Meguiar's has this kit. User friendly. I never got to see how long it lasted as the car I put it on was sold a few weeks after application. It did look good during the wash process. The sealant does have a strong scent of IPA so be sure to work in a well ventilated area and even a mask. You may be able to find this locally.

Meguiar?s Perfect Clarity Glass Care Kit

The other is the McKee's glass coating. User friendly and performs well.

Ultimate McKee's 37 Glass Care Kit

 

[Rsurfer]

That said, of course you're free to use any product you like, or avoid any you don't like. Just please don't spread misinformation about products you obviously have no experience with! Thanks.

If I didn't have any experience with the products, I wouldn't have commented on them. Talking about spreading misinformation:

"Which would be something like Gtechniq G1 or CarPro FlyBy, which, however, are a lot harder to apply, and might actually perform worse in the short or medium term."

 

[KBsToy]

I have had good luck with McKees glass coating as stated in earlier posts prepare your windshield polishing IPA before application....

 

[gsmarquis]

I have tried several. Last one was Aquapel. It worked little less than rain-x but last longer. On the second car I applied it to, I polished the glass with a glass pad and fine glass polish, ISO wiped, and then applied Aquapel. The rain moved twice as fast than on the window that I did not polish and I clayed that glass. The glass was only two years old with 20k miles on it.

 

[Hermes1]

I use Griot's garage glass sealant and it has worked well for me. Easy to apply, but I cannot give an accurate longevity experience because I have not really documented my applications, but I suspect about 2-3 months.