Why is it worth considering the best rain repellent for your car windscreen? Given Britain’s famously moist weather, driving around in the wet is something we’re all used to. But driving in damp and rainy conditions with blurred, smeared, and dirty windscreens can be very dangerous. So, being able to see out clearly of a clean windscreen is a top priority.
Obviously, some effective windscreen wipers and a good screenwash go a long way toward avoiding this problem. But you should also consider an effective rain repellent for your car to keep its windows even clearer. Generally, we suggest keeping your windscreen clear of any dirt or muck, but if you want to go one step further you can follow our guide on how to clean your car.
A rain repellent (or glass sealant) is a solution you apply to a car’s glass and/or bodywork. It creates a clear, non-stick and hydrophobic layer that makes it harder for substances to adhere to a vehicle’s exterior. They don’t last indefinitely, the longevity varies enormously depending on the product. Sometimes they last weeks, sometimes months, sometimes even years.
The best rain repellents at a glance
There are some who claim that rain repellents can be hydrophobic but smear glass, somewhat obscuring visibility in dry, sunny or low-light conditions. Some products are guilty of this, but some avoid it, which is why choosing the correct product is essential. And for the task of wiping away any morning dew on your windscreen, check out our guide on glass squeegees.
How we tested the rain repellents
We made the effort to ensure each rain repellent that we tested was tried on similar days in similar conditions in order to ensure a fair result. During testing we considered performance as our top priority.
We looked at how well a rain repellent performed in harsh, rainy conditions as well as how easy it was to apply, plus any other features that stood out like how versatile the product was. Value for money is also considered and all of the above is factored into the overall score to determine how good the product is.
When it comes to how to apply rain repellent, most of the products we tested came with a set of instructions. Some required us to leave on the windscreen for a little longer than others, while others will require several coats before buffing off. In all cases we followed the instructions of each product carefully and ensured that we applied each one to the best of our ability. Our best tip for applying rain repellent is: use gloves to avoid waxy fingers.
The best rain repellents for your car
The best rain repellent
A simple squeeze of the orange bottle will deliver the repellent onto the foam pad, which you then pull across the windscreen, leaving a small visible streak as you do. After this, it's simply a case of leaving it for up to 10 minutes before wiping it with a microfibre towel. The results last for two months and don't leave any nasty smearing or cause juddering wipers.
This big disc of rain repellent impressed us when we first tested it back in February. The design limits wasted product and ensure even coverage across the windscreen, ensuring the best value for money. The felt applicator pad means there’s no risk of overspray either, it’ll only apply to what you want to cover.
The big downside here really depends on how long your arm is – there’s no way to reach the middle of a windscreen without reaching across and actually touching the glass, a problem for anyone with a big car and shorter arms. Still, with Glaco applied to the car’s windscreen, there’s a short curing time of up to ten minutes before it’s wiped away. There’s a tiny amount of streaking that quickly disappears, leaving an excellent rain repellent that can last for a few months before needing reapplication.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Easy application of spreading and wiping
- No smearing marks left or any effect to the wipers
- Decent durability with up to two-months of protection
Cons
- Requires curing of up to ten-minutes before wiping
| Volume: | 120ml |
| Durability: | Two months |
| Suitable surfaces: | Glass, Perspex, Plastic |
| Extras: | Built-in applicator |
Editor's pick
After this, Gtechniq recommends not letting the glass get wet for 12 hours, but the end results will be 20,000 miles of hydrophobic protection, by far the best out of any rain repellents we've seen.
An absolute pain to apply, Gtechniq G1 requires a good half days’ worth of sunshine to properly cure on the car’s windscreen. With the British weather the way it is, the application was delayed on no less than two occasions owing to approaching rain. It’s best to have a garage or at least a gazebo if you’re planning to apply this.
When it was eventually sunny enough to apply, the process was straightforward but took the most time here. You’re provided with four applicator pads and really need to apply three layers to get the absolute best protection possible. You then need to apply the G2 Residue Remover (also included) to prevent streaking before leaving the whole thing to set for at least three hours.
While the windscreen this car was applied to hasn’t had the ability to cover the claimed 20,000 miles yet, the thoroughness of the application does point to excellent durability. It’s a real investment piece, the application was the most arduous but nothing could touch the protection offered by G1. Streaking was an absolutely minimal concern, especially with the wiper blades treated with G1, visibility was excellent and water beaded away without any fuss. If it was just a little bit easier to apply, G1 would be the undisputed winner here.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Unbeatable protection compared to the other rain repellents
- Good value for money at just under £13, given its longevity of protection
- Long mileage claim of 20,000 miles suggests it's a durable coating
Cons
- May require some pre-planning, as you can't get the windscreen wet for 12-hours after application
| Volume: | 15ml |
| Durability: | 20,000 miles |
| Suitable surfaces: | Glass |
| Extras: | Includes applicators |
Most convenient rain repellent
Rrp: $51.99
Rrp: $51.99
Upon first glance, the Q2 QuickView piqued my curiosity thanks to its packaging, but this is, in fact, one of its qualities. I didn't need to use a microfibre cloth to apply the product (only to clean the windscreen beforehand). The application is rather easy, with the product being evenly distributed across the glass surface. Unlike some other rain repellents, I didn't find this one difficult to apply as the felt surface provided less resistance than a microfibre cloth would.
After leaving the product to dry for five minutes I wiped the excess with a damp cloth leaving behind a clean finish. I found minimal streaks, but they were easy to wipe away with a dry towel. QuickView is an appropriate name for this product as the entire process took no longer than 10-15 minutes, and I was able to see the hydrophobic effects immediately.
One coating of Quick View provides at least six months of protection, which is very impressive. Gyeon claim that 30ml is required per vehicle, which means you should be able to get four applications out of one bottle. My impression is that I used slightly more than a quarter of the product so I'd estimate another two applications.
Overall, I really like the convenience of the packaging and method of application, and with a claimed six months of protection, it certainly competes as one of the best rain repellents available.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Clever bottle design, which allows for easy application
- Up to six-months of protection, which is very impressive and useful for winter season
- Great quality and immensely effective at water repellence
Cons
- Priced more than competitors
| Volume | 120ml |
| Durability | Up to six months |
| Suitable surfaces | Car glass |
| Extras | No |
The best rain repellent for longevity
It might be slightly more complicated than other repellents to apply, but I particularly like the applicator sponge and cloth accessories that you get with it. First, I cleaned the windscreen with some glass cleaner and then applied the supplied glass polish. This is a lovely part of the process as it means that your soon-to-be hydrophobic windscreen will also be crystal clear of any contaminants.
After that, I applied the repel in a circular motion. Once again, it was easy to apply thanks to the accessories, and I was able to apply a decent amount of pressure to ensure the product is evenly applied. It is recommended to apply two layers so that's exactly what I did. Overall, I used around half of each bottle (polish and repel) which means £38 gives you two applications.
Having applied the Q2 View on my car's windscreen and side windows a couple of months ago, I am really happy with the results. The water-beading qualities are so good that water flows off the windscreen with ease at a variety of speeds, and heavy rain isn't a problem anymore. I think the result is just as good as the Turtle Wax ClearVue, except with longer-lasting effects.
With the process complete, you should get up to 12-months of protection on your front windscreen and up to 36-months on the side windows. This is a sterling example of how long you can have rain repellent glass from two tiny bottles of product.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Durable with lasting protection of up to 12 and 36 months on the windscreen and side windows respectively
- Two-in-one polish and rain repellent solution
- Quality finish once applied and in use
Cons
- At £38, it really is a premium option compared to others
| Volume | 20ml |
| Durability | 12-months windscreen, 36-months side windows |
| Suitable surfaces | All glass |
| Extras | Glass polish |
Best versatile rain repellent
I found the 300ml bottle to provide great value, as I poured the product liberally onto a microfibre cloth to apply to the windscreen. I found that this method of application meant that I was having to use more product than I would for other rain repellents, but I didn't need to use more than a fifth of the bottle (~60ml). The instructions also mention to apply two coats so the application process took me a little longer than other rain repellents.
While it doesn't explicitly state how long you must wait before applying the second coat, I didn't need more than five minutes before I noticed the product had dried and was ready to be applied again. After this, a quick sprinkle of water and a fresh cloth meant that I could easily remove the excess product. It was easier to remove the excess than it was for the Gyeon Q2 QuickView, with no streaks left behind.
The results? I found the Turtle Wax ClearVue to demonstrate the best water-beading qualities of all the rain repellents I tested. While others claim to last for over six months, the ClearVue is recommended to be reapplied every month, as you will start to see signs of the product wearing off within two months.
The repellent coating itself also makes things easier when scraping ice off each morning, which is a useful trick in the colder months of the year. What's more, it only costs £6 per 300ml bottle, so it represents extraordinary value for money.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Decent protection and makes ice scraping a lot easier in Winter
- Excellent value for only at only £6 per 300ml
- Works on a number of surfaces, including motorcycle helmets
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as other rain repellents
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Durability: | N/A |
| Suitable surfaces: | Glass |
| Extras: | Works as a glass cleaner |
Best rain repellent on a budget
It requires no buffing or curing time, instead wiping straight off after spraying it on. It's not the most refined of products, and the protection offered can be measured in weeks, not months, but it's good value for money and will also double as a decent glass cleaner too.
A popular choice for an obvious reason, Rain-X combines cleaning and repellent at a temptingly low price. Another part of its appeal has to be the simple application process, there’s no need to buff or let the product cure, it simply needs wiping off once sprayed onto the glass. The 500ml bottle features an ergonomic trigger and delivered a neat and even misting of the product, which is wiped away without leaving any residue behind.  Â
The problem with Rain-X was that the smearing caused by using the wipers was really quite noticeable. It was never unsafe or totally obscuring, but there was a noticeable trail left after each place of the blade. This did eventually stop after about two weeks, although this coincided with the hydrophobicity failing too, an indication that smearing would be a concern so long as it was applied to the car. A middling performance overall, but very affordable.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Easy application, thanks to spray and wipe method
- Decent durability and widely used in motorsport, proving its capability
- Combines cleaning and repellence in one product
Cons
- Doesn't last as long as others
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Durability: | N/A |
| Suitable surfaces: | Glass |
| Extras: | Works as a glass cleaner |
Best rain repellent and cleaner
It's an effective cleaner too, making light work of splattered insects and other debris that can become ingrained onto windscreens. If you don't want the hassle of using a separate repellent and can handle the reduced durability, Vision + is our pick.
Originally developed for use on motorcycle helmets, an area where there’s no wiper action to help shift water, Vision + needed to be a capable option for removing water. Now available in a larger size for cars, Vision + proved to be an outstanding option, offering excellent water beading and glass cleaning action, all from a spray that required no curing time and took a couple of seconds to apply.
There was minimal streaking from the repellent when freshly applied, even when the wiper blades were going full speed. In fact, it brought the test car’s windscreen up looking almost better than new. It’s an excellent glass cleaner and also offers some seriously impressive hydrophobic protection.
Review by Ryan Gilmore
Pros
- Versatile product and very easy to apply
- The handle is comfortable to hold
- Effective cleaner, which doubles its purpose as well as a repellent
Cons
- Can leave streaks, if you're not careful
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Durability: | N/A |
| Suitable surfaces: | Glass, Perspex, Acrylic |
| Extras: | Cleans the glass |
The best mid-range rain repellent
Gtechniq recommends using a AP1 Lint Free Applicator Pad to apply the product. This isn't sold with the G5 repellent so I used a microfibre cloth instead. I found that I didn't need to use a lot of product to get decent coverage. The product was left to cure for just over ten minutes before I buffed it off using a clean microfibre cloth.
I found it quite difficult to remove the product as it cures quite hard. After a great amount of effort I was able to clear the windscreen of product leaving behind a streak-free finish. I wouldn't mark the G5 down too much for this as I was applying the product outdoor in 20-degrees climate so I imagine that affected the performance.
Like the Gyeon Q2 View, I had to wait a short while before water could touch the windscreen. This is great if bad weather isn't on the way, but if you sense it might rain shortly after you apply the product then I recommend you plan ahead or find somewhere indoors to apply the product, like a garage.
The results were great: the windscreen did exhibit a hydrophobic quality, but I feel like the Gyeon QuickView and the Turtle Wax ClearVue performed better in the first instance. The Gtechniq G5 claims to last longer than the ClearVue, similar to the QuickView, but at only £11 the G5 is great value.
With a single application, you can get anywhere from three to six months of longevity. It's said to help bead and roll off rain at speeds as low as 30mph and works on a number of glass surfaces, including windows, shower screens, headlight lenses, and most importantly, car windscreens.
Review by Naveed Hussain
Pros
- Long-lasting protection of three to six months per application
- Works on a number of glass surfaces other than windscreens
- Amazingly effective and rain rolls off while as low as 30mph
Cons
- With 100ml of product, there's little room for error
| Volume | 100ml |
| Durability | three to six months |
| Suitable surfaces | Car glass, Perspex, and plexiglass |
| Extras | No |
Best glass cleaner and protectant
No matter what the weather conditions, it helps ensure the windscreen is slick and smooth enough for water to bead off easily. You can even use it around the home if you really wanted to. It's a simple spray-and-wipe product, which makes application very easy.
Pros
- Easy to apply, thanks to spray and wipe method
- Acts as a cleaner as well as a protectant, which is handy
- Makes cleaning your windscreen easier
Cons
- No information on how long it lasts
| Volume | 473ml |
| Durability | N/A |
| Suitable surfaces | All glass |
| Extras | No |
The simplest rain repellent to apply
In terms of durability, Soft99 claims it can last up to 12-months and during winter time, it even helps remove frost and ice on your windscreen more easily.
Pros
- Very effective during winter time
- Lasts up to 12-months per application (claimed)
- Two-in-one product and applicator design
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value for money as the others
| Volume | 70ml |
| Durability | 12-months |
| Suitable surfaces | All glass |
| Extras | None |
The best value rain repellent kit
It helps improve visibility on the road during heavy rain and other conditions. In terms of protection durability, it only lasts for up to two months at a time according to Supagard, but this is reflected in the price point.
Pros
- Great value for money at just under £15 for the set
- Includes a couple of microfibre cloths
- Very easy application process
Cons
- Durability isn't as great as others at two-months between applications (claimed)
| Volume | 500ml |
| Durability | Two-months |
| Suitable surfaces | All glass |
| Extras | Two microfibre cloths |
FAQs and things to remember with rain repellents
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Why is rain repellent used?
Rain repellent is pretty much what it says on the bottle. It's a coating that stops falling rainwater from smearing on your windscreen and instead repels off. It helps you see a lot more clearly - especially at motorway cruising speed where clear vision is vital. It's especially useful if your windscreen wipers stop working, although you should always prioritise getting them fixed first. Interestingly, rain repellents are often used in race cars during endurance events. You can imagine it's not the easiest task seeing out with a helmet and visor in the way during heavy downpour, so rain repellent makes a case for itself there.
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What should I look for in a rain repellent?
Visibility will be your number one priority if applying a rain repellent to a car. In the same way that visibility is no.1 when applying some de-icer. After all, the sole job of a rain repellent is road safety, keeping water from congregating on your windscreen. A good rain repellent will see rain beading straight off the windscreen, leaving the road ahead clear. A poor rain repellent may, however, leave a smear on the glass, particularly in sunny or low-light conditions. This hampers visibility when it's not raining and is a fairly irritating thing to deal with.
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How do I apply rain repellent to a car?
Application is also worth paying attention to. There are three options; spray-on, roll-on and applicator-applied examples. Each has its pros and cons, with spray-on options the easiest to apply but least durable and applicator examples vice versa. Rain repellents are similar to car waxes in many ways. Sometimes, they feature minimum temperatures and directions to apply them out of direct sunlight. Longer-lasting options may also have a curing time. Once you've finished, you can embrace a moist-free car interior if you opt for an in-car dehumidifier.
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How long do rain repellents last on a windscreen?
Durability varies massively between rain repellents, some last a couple of weeks, and others are designed to last for thousands of miles. We've found that depending on the products, it can have a durability claim from two to 36-months, depending on the product. Akin to a set of snow chains, durability often increases with price. With rain repellents it comes at the expense of a more laborious application process. One that doubles as a glass cleaner can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it'll be a time saver, but these often don't last as long as a dedicated glass cleaner.
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