Initial Impressions: Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass

[mjlinane]

Initial Impressions: Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass

Introduction:

A new product line added to the ACC fold gave me all of the excuse I needed (which, admittedly, isn`t much) to buy and try.

Thanks again to Corey for providing the format.

Product


Product Claims:

From Autopia Car Care site - Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass

"Keep your windows coated in extreme protection!

Creates a hydrophobic surface which repels rain
Forms a chemical bond for long-lasting results
Lasts up to 30,000 miles of driving

Gtechniq G1 ClearVision Smart Glass is not your typical rain repellent! Gtechniq formulated this amazing coating to form a chemical bond with your vehicle`s glass giving you extremely long-lasting results. Gtechniq G1 ClearVision Smart Glass has been tested to be effective up to 30,000 miles of driving! See the road no matter the weather with G1 ClearVision Smart Glass.

Gtechniq ClearVision Smart Glass is like a paint coating for your windows. This highly hydrophobic formula promotes extreme levels of water beading, causing rain and water to run off your windshield. This keeps your windshield clean and your vision clear at anything more than neighborhood speeds. Gtechniq G1 ClearVision Smart Glass has the same self cleaning effect as Gtechniq`s range of surface coatings reducing the need to clean your windshield.

Gtechniq G1 ClearVision Smart Glass not only makes wet weather driving safer, but the tough coating makes it more difficult for items to stick. Bugs, bird bombs, sap, water spots, and even ice are easier to remove. Smart Glass can even withstand repeated windshield wiper usage. This easy-to-apply formula does not smear and provides perfect clarity, no matter what mother nature throws your way.

On new glass simply clean and apply the coating using the applicator pads. Gtechniq recommends 3 coats on the front windshield and 1 coat on side and rear windows. On older or weathered glass, Gtechniq recommends using Gtechniq G4 Glass Nano Polish prior application for complete bonding and crystal clarity."

Details:

1.- Packaging: Plastic bottles (G1 & G2)
2.- Directions: Clearly labeled
3.- Viscosity: Like alcohol
4.- Color: Translucent
5.- Scent: Light alcohol
6.- Price at time of review: 15ml = $ 15.99
7.- Manufacturer: Gtechniq
9.- Made in: British company anyway.

Other Products Used:

Supplied applicator
Cotton terry

Preparation:

Believe preparation is extremely important when using one of these long lasting products. Cleaned glass with Megs D120 Glass Cleaner, "clayed" with Diamondite Spray Clay, hand polished with Duragloss #755 Nu Glass + yellow pad, washed (with car) CG Honeydew Snow Foam and CG Glossworkz, rinsed and followed with Carpro Eraser. (And that was on excellent condition glass - being the belt & suspenders guy I am.) If I hadn`t had the above, would have bought and used Gtechniq G4.

Application:

Shake well. Apply a couple of dabs of G1 on supplied applicator and spread spread on glass - 3 coats on windshield. 15 min later, similarly apply G2 and immediately buff with cotton terry.

Observations:

Light alcohol smell. Easy to apply and remove. Flashes rather quickly so can be hard to see where you have applied. A little goes a long way (used about half of each on the Sonata). Very clear and slick finish.

Does it meet its claims? In general.

Pros:

1.- Easy application and removal
2.- Very clear & slick finish.

???:

1.- Durability - We`ll see.

Cons:

1.- None.

Final Observations and Summary:

Like Gtechniq T1, durability will be the deciding factor on just how much I like Gtechniq G1.

I will update with beading pictures next week and periodically after.

Comments and questions are encouraged. Thanks for viewing!

[Pats300zx]

Great review Mike. I have some on my wish list. Can`t wait to give it a try.

[tropicsteve]

good review mike. the only thing i didn`t like about the gtechniq g-1/g-2 clear vision smart glass was the plastic bottle. a squirt/dropper type of tip on the bottle would have been more helpful during application. i found myself fighting not to spill it with one hand while applying with the other hand. other than that, seems like good stuff so far. time will tell.

[Old Pirate]

Great review there Mike, this one is what I looking at very carefully for mine also. Can`t wait for a up date on it...

[BobbyG]

Another outstanding review Mike!

I`ve been using Aquapel for a few years now and have been very pleased. Gtechniq G1 Clear Vision Smart Glass seems to be giving Aquapel some stiff competition and possible surpass its performance...

I`m looking forward o trying it!!

[TroyScherer]

Thanks for you initial thoughts Mike.

[Bunky]

Thanks. This is one of those wait and see type products. I look forward to updates,

[mjlinane]

Thanks everybody!

[Todd@RUPES]

I think you are going to blown away by the durability.

Here is the thing....

I have used a lot of different rain repellents, and let`s face it, they all work great at sheeting water (it`s what they do). In fact, to this day, I have never had anything sheet water at a lower speed then Glass Science.

BUT...

When ever I have used a rain repellent, I have almost been fearful of using my windshield wipers. Even light (but constant) abrasion of wipers can severally shorten the effects of most rain repellents. While the rain sheeting ability (of all of them) is pretty amazing at city road speeds, you almost always drive through your neighborhood blind.

With G1 I have been using my blades like crazy AND there has been ZERO degradation in quality.

BUT....

That`s not the biggest improvement I have noticed. I drive 240 miles round trip, mostly at highway speeds, each week. Florida`s bugs become plastered on my windshield as my Speed3 turns into a 4 wheeled exterminator. I have NOT washed my car since applying G1 and I still have ZERO bugs on the windshield. Sure they splat and stick initially. But a rain storm cleans them up. It really is amazing!!!!

[Todd@RUPES]

Oh... and excellent review as always!

[Reality33]

Heres a help on durability. G1 was applied on my S2000 as I was driving it tons and its wipers are so so. Here is G1 after a little over a year of torrential Florida downpours.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgPEp24tAvk&feature=plcp"]Gtechniq G1 After A Year - YouTube[/ame]

The first part are speeds around 30 MPH, once the car in front turns right, we start to get to around 45-50 MPH.

Oh and fantastic review as always =D

[mjlinane]

Thanks Todd and Thomas.

[mjlinane]

Todd has this in his reviews so I decided to try it. Sorry for the 2013 UT football recruiting talk on the radio. That is what we do here in the Austin area.

Note - Important Safety Tip - this is a bad idea. Rain + traffic + driving + video = recipe for disaster. If I decide to do a similar video after applying Gtechniq G5, a passenger will be shooting it.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk4hc8J9f6k]20120913_172158.mp4 - YouTube[/ame]