MK7 "Random / "Stupid" Questions Thread"

[parapraxis24]

I had safelite replace the glass twice, then issue refund so I could have oem glass put in at a mom&pop shop. Never had a problem after that. Hydrophobicity (or lack thereof) wasn't my main issue, but it definitely was noticeable.

Yeah it’s really bad with the Fuyao glass. It just smears without any beading whatsoever, making it very difficult to see while driving. The water just coats the entire windshield, it’s like trying to look through stained glass it’s so bad.

I’m hoping the alternative supplier is better, otherwise I might have to cave and get it ceramic coated.

 

[Maiden69]

Yeah I’d just hate to have to keep up with it. In the two years I had my 2018, I never had to do anything to the window, just keeping it clean was enough to get water to bead.

I've had a few VW's and others cars and I never had one that the windshield had those hydrophobic characteristics. My 2019 sucked and I had to clean it every few months for it to sweep the water completely. That glass was as fragile as a piece of paper, every time it got hit it cracked or chipped. I have an after market now. Same characteristics as the previous one.

I dislike RainX, don't like the way it behaves when it starts to wear out. I have been using Optimum Glass Cleaner and Protect concentrate and "clean" the glass every few weeks with it. It is not as strong as a ceramic, but when used regularly it stays on the glass evenly for longer.

https://opticoat.com/products/optim...Djma1pdZfN6UoeIBK14WpwzBZzL_Xe-M5KA0wkz9ectfA

 

[bobloblawGTI]

I just replaced the windshield on my 2019 with OEM and from the factory the treatment was atrocious -- fogged up at night, streaks every time the wipers went over. Cleaned it with glass stripper and coated with Aquapel, looks and beads great. Worth a shot if you care about that kind of thing (or live somewhere rainy and/or humid, as DC so often is.)

 

[EpicTech]

I also have a recent windshield replacement - from Safelite. Clean glass is an OCD thing for me, and so is fogging up issues/humidity etc. I use Invisible Glass w/newspaper to wipe clean. Something about the carbon ink works well to remove contaminants. I learned that trick from my car selling days and noticed a porter one day using newspaper and a spray cleaner to a trade in, to remove the nicotine build up on the inside. Needless to say I adopted that method as it works well. I do have some new spray from Griots garage and it works about the same as Invisible Glass. About every 3 months I break out the Rupes and the ultra-fine polish and go over the windshield outer glass. Very light pressure is all I use, basically the weight of the machine. When rain comes it literally rolls right of the glass, but the key is getting the glass super clean first. If you polish a surface that still has contaminants, then you are not doing any good.

 

[parapraxis24]

I just replaced the windshield on my 2019 with OEM and from the factory the treatment was atrocious -- fogged up at night, streaks every time the wipers went over. Cleaned it with glass stripper and coated with Aquapel, looks and beads great. Worth a shot if you care about that kind of thing (or live somewhere rainy and/or humid, as DC so often is.)

Crazy, guess it's just luck of the draw then. My 2018 GTI never had issues with fogging, though admittedly the glass was soft, which I gather is everyone else's experience. Water would bead up similar to a week old rain-x application, I never had to do anything to it but keep it clean. My 2016 S4, and 2017 Alltrack were all the same way. The replacement Alltrack windshield is like whatever the opposite of rain-x would be. It's absolutely atrocious at repelling water.

I got a quote from a local shop for $175 for ceramic coating of just the windshield. I'll probably go that route if the next replacement windshield isn't any better.

 

[scrllock]

Griots Glass Sealant. $10 and it lasts as long or longer as that $175 coating. Problem is anything you put on will slowly get worn down by the wipers, no way around it.

 

[parapraxis24]

Griots Glass Sealant. $10 and it lasts as long or longer as that $175 coating. Problem is anything you put on will slowly get worn down by the wipers, no way around it.

Tried that in the past, still have some actually, but I couldn’t get more than two weeks out of it. After that it was pretty much completely worn away and back to whatever was left from the factory. Sounds like I’ll just have to deal with it and that sucks.

 

[Lob-Star]

Aquapel is VERY easy to apply and only needs to be applied once a year in the PNW and twice a year in the midwest if you need to scrape ice. I combine that with PIAA Si Tech wiper blades. I don't need to use the wipers once I get to about 30-35 depending on the day and the wipers never smudge when i do need to use them.

 

[bobloblawGTI]

Aquapel is VERY easy to apply and only needs to be applied once a year in the PNW and twice a year in the midwest if you need to scrape ice. I combine that with PIAA Si Tech wiper blades. I don't need to use the wipers once I get to about 30-35 depending on the day and the wipers never smudge when i do need to use them.

My experience with Aquapel as well. Can be sort of hard to find these days (I ended up getting it off eBay) but lasts easily a year, moreso if you don’t use the wipers a ton. I always replace my blades with OEM; not for any reason other than they’re the same price as any other replacement.

 

[krs]

Full wiper delete here in the desert.

Rain, ha. Not even sure what that looks like anymore.

 

[parapraxis24]

Aquapel is VERY easy to apply and only needs to be applied once a year in the PNW and twice a year in the midwest if you need to scrape ice. I combine that with PIAA Si Tech wiper blades. I don't need to use the wipers once I get to about 30-35 depending on the day and the wipers never smudge when i do need to use them.

I might give that a shot then. I'm not entirely opposed to having to treat the window, I just remember that when living in FL, things like rain-x, etc. lasted maybe a week with great water repellency. After two weeks it was like it wasn't even on anymore. I just don't want to have to treat it two times a month.

Does it need to cure? My apartment doesn't have covered parking so really my only option is to do it on a day when it isn't expected to rain at all...which this time of the year is like almost never.

 

[parapraxis24]

Well I went down the window treatment YouTube rabbit hole. Found a guy that tested 20-something window treatments over a 6 month period.

A few of the expensive ceramics lasted that long but most surprising was the armor all extreme shield ceramic glass cleaner/treatment.

Seems 4-6 months longevity is pretty common based on reviews. For $7 I gave it a shot and since it’s just a spray on wipe off, buff out, I think I can handle that once a month or less.

I’ve only driven in a light drizzle but already water beads up perfectly.

But, of fucking course the rear view mirror glue would fail today. So at least I already have an appointment schedule so they can fix that instead.

 

[Lob-Star]

I might give that a shot then. I'm not entirely opposed to having to treat the window, I just remember that when living in FL, things like rain-x, etc. lasted maybe a week with great water repellency. After two weeks it was like it wasn't even on anymore. I just don't want to have to treat it two times a month.

Does it need to cure? My apartment doesn't have covered parking so really my only option is to do it on a day when it isn't expected to rain at all...which this time of the year is like almost never.

I'm also in an apartment. I apply it at a drive in car wash to make cleaning the windshield easier. I also clay bar the windshield and have a plastic razor blade to help scrape stuff off. Then I apply it

Found a guy that tested 20-something window treatments over a 6 month period.

Its a great video! Aquapel tied for first.

 

[ChristopherNeil]

I'm also in an apartment. I apply it at a drive in car wash to make cleaning the windshield easier. I also clay bar the windshield and have a plastic razor blade to help scrape stuff off. Then I apply it

Its a great video! Aquapel tied for first.

Project Farm is a great resource for all the things I didn't know I needed to know.

 

[Wizzi]

I was always curious what these red lines meant in the speedo at 30 and 50 kmph, does anyone know?
Excuses my failing phone camera