What is an invisible janitor? How to use liquid glass cleaners?

Almost every driver can replace at least a few types of fluids and products that are worth having on a shelf in the garage or in the trunk of a car. Some, such as engine oil, are necessary for the vehicle to function properly, while others, such as windshield or door handle defroster, make it easier to use and keep it in good condition. There are less well-known and more mysterious ones: like an invisible doormat. This name, of course, can cause horror. What? How it works? We answer!

What is an invisible janitor?

The name suggests that the item in question is a car wiper that works completely unnoticed. And we can say that in a sense it is so, but not literally. This type of windshield wiper has nothing to do with the classic levers that move across the glass and collect raindrops. Firstly, these are liquid (spray) wipers. Secondly, it is designed not to sweep away water and snowflakes, but to repel them and prevent them from settling on the glass.

This is a product that creates a hydrophobic coating on the surface of the windshield (preventing the attraction of water molecules). This one is not visible to the naked eye, so the driver's view does not close in the slightest - it does not darken the glass, does not brighten it, and does not affect it aesthetically. The difference is noticeable only during rain or snowfall. Typically, falling drops and flakes get stuck on the windshield and can significantly reduce visibility for the driver. If invisible windshield wipers are used, they must drain immediately and out of the view of vehicle occupants.

How does the invisible wiper work?

To understand how this formulation works, you need to take a closer look at the design of the windshield. At first glance, its surface seems perfectly smooth, like glass. However, it turns out that it is actually microscopically rough, which can only be seen under a microscope. For simplicity and for the purposes of this article, we define its surface as covered with microcracks. It is because of this imperceptible roughness of the glass that drops of water, snowflakes, dust, insects or other types of dirt stop on it, which can limit visibility. If it was truly perfect and immaculately smooth, they would all run away on their own.

And here is the opportunity to use this type of invisible wiper. It comes as a liquid in a container with an applicator or spray. The drug, when applied to glass, fills all the irregularities, creating a smooth hydrophobic coating. This is an ingenious solution in its simplicity, thanks to which the driver does not need to remember to turn on traditional wipers and control their speed. Using the switch may not be time consuming, but it does affect the focus level, which should be as high as possible during rain, blizzard, or hail.

How is the invisible mat applied?

There are two options for using this solution in your car: visiting a service station for professional hydrophobization or buying a special drug. An invisible rug costs an average of 20 to 60 zł. If you use the service in a workshop, the cost of applying it to all glasses can be up to PLN 400. Is it difficult to apply an invisible mat yourself? No, but it requires careful work and a little patience. The whole process can be represented in several steps:

1. Check the glass for mechanical damage such as chips or cracks. If they occur, it is worth repairing the glass first, otherwise the drug will penetrate into their structure, which may interfere with the elimination of damage in the future.
2. Wash the windows thoroughly (the coating can be used on both front and rear and side windows). Even the slightest contamination can adversely affect the effectiveness of the wiper and disrupt its coverage. For this purpose, it is worth choosing a degreaser that will completely dissolve more persistent dirt.
3. Apply the drug. How to do this may depend on which type of invisible wiper you choose. Some models are equipped with a sprayer. Then they are sprayed directly onto the glass. Others are in screw-top bottles, in which case apply the product to a sponge, preferably a wax sponge (it won't leave fibers on the glass).
4. Then follow the manufacturer's recommendations. In the case of sprays, you will most likely need a soft cloth without protruding fibers or a wax sponge, moisten it and wipe the glass until the drug is evenly distributed over the entire surface. In the case of applying wipers to a sponge, most often you have to rub the product on the surface of a dry windshield and do not forget to do it gently and evenly.
5. Wait for the appropriate time specified by the manufacturer. It may be several minutes. During this time, the hydrophobic coating will set, and the excess part will dry. Wipe it with a dry soft cloth. At the end, an additional wipe with a damp cloth may be required to get rid of streaks.

In each case, the manufacturer's recommendations should be taken into account first. It may happen that each compound needs to be applied differently: with some compounds, such as RRC Invisible Wiper, it is necessary to point a heat source, such as a hair dryer, at the coating during application to evaporate excess solvent. Thus, the method of application depends on the specific product. There are quite a few types of them, and which invisible wiper to choose depends primarily on ease of use. Before buying, be sure to familiarize yourself with the method of application, because it may turn out that it is enough to spray the glass and wipe the product. See for yourself how much more comfortable driving in the rain can be.

You can find more texts on the automotive industry on AvtoTachki Passions in the Tutorials section!

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