Should I Get My Windshield Ceramic Coated?

Your typical windshield

A vehicle’s front end can take a beating - bugs, sand, dirt, debris, rocks…all this makes for a rough surface on your windshield. Traffic film, dirt, & grime enjoy a rough surface full of nooks and crannies. Add bugs and maybe some rain or snow, and you can quickly get into a dangerous level of visual impairment, especially at night.

As we age…

…we have greater difficulty seeing at night. A 50-year-old driver may need twice as much light to see as well as a 30-year-old. At age 60 and older, driving can become even more difficult, according to the American Optometric Association. Some older drivers also may have compromised vision due to cataracts and degenerative eye diseases.

Whether you’re 18 or 60+, a clean windshield means a safer drive for everyone. Who doesn’t like looking through clean glass anyway?

Enter ceramic coatings

A ceramic coating creates a slick & hydrophobic barrier on the surface. Modern ceramic coatings incorporate nanotechnology into their formulas. Tiny nanoceramic particles fill in minor surface imperfections, smoothing out the surface and leaving a layer of protection almost as strong as quartz (scoring above the 9H scale). With these tiny imperfections filled in, grime, oils, traffic films, and other contaminants have more difficulty sticking to a surface. This shields the surface and vastly improves cleaning.

Read more about Ceramic Coating Technology.

Your Coated Windshield

Enhanced visibility

A ceramic coating works by filling in the microscopic imperfections of your glass, smoothing out the surface, and creating a layer of protection that’s exceptionally hydrophobic. You can expect water droplets to slide off your windshield, making using your wipers almost obsolete. This is a must for wet climates!

Let’s not forget about bug season…bugs will have a much harder time bugging you when they can’t hang around as easily on your windshield. The bugs that do manage to stick can then easily be wiped away. The same goes for any other material that lands on your glass.

Enhanced clarity

By providing a slick and protective barrier to your glass, contaminant build-up is lessened - that means less haze and added anti-glare properties. Enjoy way less smearing and fewer visual interruptions.
Additionally, windshield coatings will include some polishing prep step, further decontaminating your glass. This will improve clarity before the coating is even applied.

Easier maintenance & cleaning

Coated glass makes wiping off contaminants like bird droppings, tree sap, bug splatters, and dirt easier. It's especially great for regular long commutes.

Reduce frost & ice build-up.

Great for the winter months and when parking outside. While it will not wholly repel frost, you’ll notice less build-up and faster defrost times on the coated glass.

Longevity

Glass coatings can last six months to a year on a windshield depending on maintenance and wiper use. The wipers themselves will not damage your coating; however, wipers drag around dirt and other abrasives that eventually wear down a windshield coating. Neglected windshields and wipers can quickly prematurely deteriorate a glass coating, so it’s important to clean the glass regularly.

Should I ceramic coat my windshield?

As with anything - it’s ultimately up to you. If the benefits sound great, then it’s easily a no-brainer. Contact your local expert in glass coatings to get started and enjoy a cleaner, safer driving experience.