repairing water repellants windshields.

[CMG]

My business is composed of both windshield repair and headlight restoration. In the past i was experimenting with a hydrophoblic ( water repellant) such as Aquapel and rain-ex on the windshield. I have tapered off usage on the water repellant applications due to not being clear if a windshield that has had a repellant applied to it previously can have a crack / chip repaired successfully. I could probably sell it on every headlight job, but reframed because i don't want to sell something that i cannot repair. I would appreciate any experienced advice.

[ghost rider]

My business is composed of both windshield repair and headlight restoration. In the past i was experimenting with a hydrophoblic ( water repellant) such as Aquapel and rain-ex on the windshield. I have tapered off usage on the water repellant applications due to not being clear if a windshield that has had a repellant applied to it previously can have a crack / chip repaired successfully. I could probably sell it on every headlight job, but reframed because i don't want to sell something that i cannot repair. I would appreciate any experienced advice.

Ah yes - rainx - where to start. first off I'll say that these are very good products, they do what they say they will, and that's not always easy to find today. But I hate them. If you are making money selling this product - go for it. Don't ever put it on a windshield that already has damage without repairing it first. Yes you will find it harder to do repairs on a treated windshield, but they usually can still be done with extra surface cleaning and dryouts and if they still pop apart after a day or two re-repair it. I don't know why, but the second repair on a treated damage seems to hold up perfectly. I do use an acid resin, maybe the acid helps. You should tell your customers of the possibilty of a repair not working on a treated w/s and tell them to repair as soon as possible if they get damage so the treatment doesn't have a chance to work into the break. we all know how well customers remember what we tell them (haha) so maybe have the warning printed on the back of your business card or invoice or both. Good luck

[Kgobin]

Before doing a windshield repair you can save yourself a lot of time and a possible headache by applying a chip saver over the break, then spray the glass with water. If the water beads up and runs off quickly that indicates a hydrophobic coating is present. You can remove the coating by using the moisture evaporator or by using 0000 steel wool. Below is a video on using the moisture evaporator. ***Note the intense heat from the moisture evaporator will break down hydrophobic coatings and waxes.

[Eco Steam]

In addition to what Kgobin is saying, there are actual products on the market that will deplete these products. I suggest you do whatever you feel comfortable with doing.

But don't be discouraged on whether you can or cannot repair a windshield with rainx or whatever type of repellent thats there.

I'm starting to make it a habit of checking to see if something is presently applied, because is sucks to get down to the curing process and to find that as soon as you scrape the pit resin off, all of comes off! SO, you have to repeat the pit fill once you carefully clean the area.

[J.T.Window]

If your pit pulls out due to rain-x on the glass, put some resin on a paper towel and use it to clean around the pit. It takes some rubbing, but it's easy to tell if it's clean enough to redo your pit fill.

[candyman]

Iam finding more and more of the WS I repair are using a rain-x type product. I've had a few repairs to re-do because I failed to check it first. Now I clean around all the breaks good and use a little resin and wipe it off. Normally when I have to do the second pit resin it stays, and cures with no problem. Some nicks are harder to seal, when a WS has been treated with rain-x, if you dont clean it good. I stopped using a green scouring pad w a non-alcohol WS spray because I read someplace on here that it could scratch the WS.

[GLASSTIME]

I wanted to post a picture of my toolbox and what I feel we all should have on hand.
As already stated many, many times before here on the forum. No Hydrophobic substance will interfere with the quality of your REPAIR!
Delta has even displayed this in an informational video. Simply check it out on their website under Informational Videos!

Here's the original post where this was posted!
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Happy Day!,