Windshield protection – is it worth the money?

The auto-aftermarket industry has a vast array of products to keep your car tip-top, from washes, polishes, protectants and ceramic coatings to floor mats, headlight protectors and much, much more.

That list includes glass-protection products for cars that claim to offer protection for your windshield and other tempting benefits. But are they worth the punt? Here are the pros and cons.

The pros

• Protection

Consumers in the market for windshield protection have two main choices. The first is to use a ceramic coating or treatment, similar to that used for paint and exterior surfaces. The second is to apply a protective film. An anti-chip coating cures into a protective shell that can be extremely strong, durable and long-lasting, reducing the potential for scratches and stone chips – up to a point because bigger stones at higher speeds are still likely to cause damage. Films, being a physical barrier, offer more protection – again, up to a point – and can even stop a windshield shattering.

• Improved wet-weather vision

Windshield-protection products tend to be hydrophobic – meaning they repel water and moisture – so water runs off the screen rather than gathering, to the benefit of driver vision.

• Easier cleaning

Turning a windshield hydrophobic also makes it more resistant to bird poo, bugs and other contaminants, so it will be easier to clean.

• UV protection

Coatings and films commonly offer up to 99 per cent UV protection, making them a way to give your car's interior and occupants some extra sun protection.

The cons

• They're a cost and consumable

Windshield protection can cost anything from less than $100 for a budget DIY product from an automotive or online store, to several hundred dollars for a professional application or even a thousand dollars or more for a complex job. And whatever you spend, you'll have to spend again. Some higher-end professional treatments are claimed to last up to two or three years but a cheap DIY product applied poorly might only last a few months.

• DIY application is tricky

Coatings and films require meticulous application in a controlled environment. If you don't have the right workspace, skills and temperament, you'll be reducing the product's effectiveness and longevity or worse, throwing your money away.

• They can affect vision

Even professionally applied films can cause minor distortion and graining, but it won't be that noticeable. A cheap, poorly applied film or coating, contrastingly, can cause significant vision issues, potentially impacting your safety.

• They can't be neglected

Most products ask for a few things to ensure their longevity, from keeping wiper blades clean and only using wipers with fluid, to avoiding certain chemicals and high-pressure washing.

Are they worth it?

If you can't remember the last time you damaged a windshield, or your car’s windshield is relatively cheap to replace and/or you have a comprehensive insurance policy with the common one-free-windscreen-a-year deal, the cost and trouble of windshield protection might outweigh the benefits.

But if you drive a lot, have a history of chipped windshields and your car features rain sensors, cameras and other modern tech – thereby driving up the replacement cost – some quality protection could potentially pay for itself.

Somewhere in the middle? Then you'll need to do your research and costings – and a little pondering – to see whether it's really going to work for you.

_{Disclaimer
Viva Energy Australia Pty Ltd (“Viva Energy”) has compiled the above article for your general information and to use as a general reference. Whilst all reasonable care has been taken by Viva Energy in compiling this article, Viva Energy does not warrant or represent that the information in the article is free from errors or omissions or is suitable for your intended use.}