What is in commercial glass cleaners

Here is chemical breakdown based on MSDS of popular glass cleaners

ClearVue Professional:
isopropyl alcohol (1-3%) - alcohol
2-butoxyethanol (0.5-1%) - dissolution promoter
propylene glycol methyl ether (3-5%)
acetone (1-3%) - nonpolar solvent
water

Windex blue:
2-butoxyethanol (0-2%) - dissolution promoter
isopropyl alcohol (0-3%) - alcohol
ammonia - emulsifier
water

Windex commercial:
2-butoxyethanol (0.5-1.5%) - dissolution promoter
ethylene glycol hexyl ether (0.5-1.5%) - solvent
isopropyl alcohol (1-5%) - alcohol
ammonia - emulsifier
water

Windex with vinegar:
2-butoxyethanol (5-10%) - dissolution promoter
acetic acid (0-0.25%) - descaler,
ammonia - emulsifier
water

Stoner Invisible Glass:
isopropyl alcohol - alcohol
2-butoxyethanol - dissolution promoter
acetone - nonpolar solvent
water

Armor All Auto Glass Cleaner:
isopropyl alcohol (1-5%) - alcohol
propylene glycol butyl ether (1-5%)

Eagle One 20/20:
isopropyl alcohol - alcohol
glycol ether

Amway/Quixtar LOC Plus:
2-butoxyethanol - dissolution promoter
propoxypropanol
propylene glycol methyl ether
propylene glycol butyl ether

Amway/Quixtar See-Spray:
isopropyl alcohol - alcohol
2-butoxyethanol - dissolution promoter
ammonia - emulsifier
isobutane - propellant
anti-fog agent

Westley's Glass Cleaner:
2-butoxyethanol (5%) - dissolution promoter
isopropyl alcohol (5-20%) - alcohol
sodium alkyl olefin sulfonate (1-5%) - surfactant
other surfactant (1-5%)

3M Glass Cleaner concentrate:
2-butoxyethanol (20-40%) - dissolution promoter
acetone (20-40%) - nonpolar solvent
isopropyl alcohol (20-40%) - alcohol

Eimann Fabrik Clear Vision:
2-butoxyethanol (0.5-1%) - dissolution promoter
methyl alcohol (10-15%) - alcohol
isopropyl alcohol (20-35%) - alcohol

Glass Plus (from US patent 5254284):
silicone glycol (0.01-1%) - anti-fogging agent
xanthan gum (0.01-1%) - anti-fogging agent

Castrol Accuvision (rain repellent):
propylene glycol butyl ether (0-5%)
isopropyl alcohol (0-5%) - alcohol
ethylene glycol (0-2%)
proprietary additives (0-5%)

That explains "how" more expensive glass cleaners like ClearVue can outperform Windex. The mix of alcohol + acetone + PGME has a better chance than ammonia at cleaning random goop. A diverse set of cleaning agents is more effective against a broader spectrum of contaminants than a single cleaning agent. 

Chemical differences between  Rain-X and Aquapel (Castrol Accuvision)

RainX consists of ethanol (1-10%), isopropanol (75-95%), polysiloxanes, and organosilanes. An organosilane molecule has two ends -- the "silane" end electrically bonds to surfaces like glass. Such a bond is not easy break -- organosilane treatments can only be removed mechanically, by polishing with an abrasive and taking off some of the glass with it! (ClearVue will not completely strip RainX from glass, though it will thin down a thick application of RainX.) The "organofunctional" end both links with other siloxane molecules, and serves an application-specific purpose: in this case creating a hydrophoic surface that repels water. The polysiloxanes promote crosslinking (applying a better film).

Together, they make glass repel water. Normally, glass adheres to water; think of the meniscus you can see on the surface of a glass of water. But if glass repels water, water tends to bead up and roll off the glass.

RainX-type agents do seem to work as advertised, though it gradually degrades and must be reapplied. 

RainX is really good for side windows, especially on vans, minivans, and SUV's. RainX works well on side windows because the airflow goes right along it. RainX lasts longer on side windows because the coating does not get rubbed by wiper blades.

For this reason, some people will like RainX and some people won't. To be safe, first try RainX on your car's side windows. After a few months, if you decide like the RainX and don't mind maintaining it, go ahead and put the RainX on your windshield.

A professionally applied variation of RainX on the market is Aquapel. It's based on a similar silane (chlorosiline) that reacts more thoroughly with glass, making it more durable. Aquapel releases caustic fumes when it reacts, so use in well ventilated areas. 

What is Aquapel & why is it superior to other products

Aquapel® is a revolutionary product you apply on your windshield that improves your driving visibility in bad weather.

Developed by PPG industries who are leaders in automobile glass technologies originally for the aviation industry.

What makes it unique
Unique product is far superior in performance over competitor products. Silicone based windshield coatings like Rain-X wear off with repetitive wiper usage. Over time silicone build up with repetitive applications can occur and cause smearing. Aquapel is not a coating and actually bond to the glass surface.

Aquapel contains fluorinated compounds that actually form a chemical bond to the glass surface. This give a durable lasting protection which lasts at least 6 times longer than other products. Because it is not a coating it will not be affected by car washing or commercial glass cleaning products.

Glass by nature is porous and Aquapel fills the microscopic irregularities in the glass making the surface smoother. This causes the water's surface tension to increase and results in water forming beads that roll off more easily.

The results are remarkable visibility in rain conditions. In winter, ice will be easier to remove since it can't stick to the glass.

• Improves vision in rain by causing water to bead up and roll off .


• Reduces glare from rain, especially at night
  


• Makes Ice easier to remove in winter


• Last up to 6 months. 6 times longer than competitor products

Definitely a great way to enhance your safety on the road.

Product Info


Demo video - 4 months after application