Glaco by Soft99

Clear Vision in Rain — Glaco by Soft99

Glaco by Soft99 is a Japanese series of window sealants that hydrophobically coats vehicle glass. Raindrops autonomously bead off at speeds as low as 45 km/h — without wipers, safely and durably.

Glaco by Soft99 is more than just a product line — it's the glass sealing system that has set the standard for hydrophobic window coatings for over 30 years. Developed in Japan, where car care is a matter of precision, the Glaco series utilizes technologies inspired by high-performance materials for industrial applications: fluoropolymers, silicone resins, nano-structures. The result is a system that provides the right product for every vehicle type, every user, and every situation — from beginners to professional detailers, from daily commuters to motorcycle helmets.

• The "invisible wiper" — water repellent effect from 45 km/h. All Glaco sealants create a hydrophobic protective layer that causes rain to flow off the windshield independently at driving speed. In urban traffic, on country roads, and highways, this means: less wiper use, fewer wiper streaks, more visibility.
• Japanese technology for maximum durability. While inexpensive rain repellents wear off after a few weeks, Soft99 relies on materials such as Fusso fluoropolymers (Ultra Glaco, up to 12 months) and SARF technology (Glaco DX, up to 4 months) — developed for lasting effect even with wiper operation, aggressive cleaning agents, and changing weather conditions.
• System approach: preparation, sealing, care. Glaco is designed as a complete glass protection system. The Glass Compound Roll On cleans and prepares, the sealant of your choice protects long-term, the De Cleaner maintains in between and protects the coating — all coordinated, all compatible.

Practical tip from Detailing1: The most common mistake with window sealants is skipping the preparation. Old sealant residues, oil films, and fluoride deposits from windshield washer fluids prevent new coatings from adhering properly — often halving the durability. Before any initial application, use the Glaco Glass Compound Roll On to unlock the full potential of your Glaco sealant.

Fusso, SARF, and Nano — the Technology Behind the Glaco Series

What distinguishes the Glaco series from simple rain repellents from the hardware store lies in the chemistry. The flagship of the series, Ultra Glaco, uses Fusso fluoropolymer technology — the same class of materials that Soft99 also uses for its renowned paint sealants. Fluoropolymers bond at a molecular level with the glass surface and form a chemically extremely stable layer with exceptionally low surface tension. Water cannot form continuous films on this surface but collects into individual drops that immediately flow off with the slightest impulse — driving wind, vibration, gravity. This mechanism is why Ultra Glaco lasts up to 12 months and even withstands regular car washes and wiper operation. The Glaco DX takes a different approach: SARF technology (Strong Adhesion + Rapid Finish) focuses on fast, firm bonding to the glass — the curing time is only 5 to 10 minutes, and the beading effect is intense from the start. However, the durability is a realistic four months. The Glaco Roll On Large, in turn, relies on an easy-to-apply silicone resin formula that is effortlessly applied with a roll-on applicator — ideal for anyone who wants to refresh it every few months. And the Glaco Mirror Coat Zero uses nanoparticles that self-arrange into the correct structure when drying, creating a superhydrophobic surface on mirror glass — without manual rubbing. Thus, the Glaco series caters to different user profiles with various technological approaches, while all products pursue the same core goal: to make vehicle glass long-term water-repellent.

The Glaco Products at a Glance — Which Product Suits You?

The Glaco series includes more than ten different products that differ in technology, durability, area of application, and application effort. The Ultra Glaco is the long-term flagship: up to 12 months of durability thanks to Fusso fluoropolymer technology, beading effect from 45 km/h, ideal for frequent drivers and anyone who wants to perform a thorough treatment once a year. The preparation is more elaborate, but the result is more durable. The Glaco DX is the more modern, user-friendly alternative: SARF technology for fast curing, flexible felt applicator for hard-to-reach corners, four months of durability. Those who want to combine the flexibility of SARF with ease of use will find the Glaco DX the most intuitive sealant in the series. The Glaco Roll On Large is the classic: roll-on applicator, five minutes of work, two to three months of durability. Perfect for regular touch-ups with no learning curve. The Glaco Q is the 2-in-1 product of the series: it cleans and seals in one step — ideal for beginners or as a quick interim solution when cleaning and sealing are needed simultaneously. The Glaco W-Jet even works on wet glass — spray on, activate wipers, effect is immediately active — and is suitable as a quick sealant for on the go. For special surfaces, there is the Glaco Mirror Coat Zero for exterior mirrors and cameras (spray-and-dry without wiping) and the Glaco Blave for plastic headlights, helmet visors, and other polycarbonate surfaces that cannot be treated with fluoropolymer-based sealants. The system is complemented by the Glass Compound Roll On as a preparation cleaner, the Glaco De Cleaner as a maintenance cleaner, and the Glaco Deicer as a winter product that melts ice and simultaneously builds up a hydrophobic residual layer.

Applying Window Sealant Correctly — The Glaco System in Practice

The Glaco system fully unfolds its effect when the three steps of preparation, sealing, and care are consistently followed. Preparation is the most crucial step: The Glaco Glass Compound Roll On with its dual-compound formula of two different particle sizes removes all layers that prevent a new sealant from adhering cleanly — road oil films, fluoride deposits from windshield washer systems, silicone residues from old sealants, and wiper rubber abrasion. This step takes five minutes and can realistically double the durability of the subsequent sealant. After preparation, the sealing follows: For Ultra Glaco and Glaco DX, you apply the product with the integrated felt applicator in a crosshatch motion on the dry window and let it dry for 5 to 10 minutes until a slightly whitish haze is visible. You wipe off this residue with a clean microfiber cloth. With the Glaco Roll On Large, the principle is even simpler: press the roll-on ball, roll it over the window, let it dry, wipe it off. For full curing, the window should remain protected from moisture for at least 12 hours — applying it in the garage in the evening is the recommended practice. The Glaco De Cleaner takes care of maintenance in between: the only glass cleaner in the series that does not attack existing Glaco sealants and instead cleans the surface streak-free and slightly refreshes the beading effect. A common mistake: using conventional glass cleaners with surfactants or ammonia on sealed windows — these degrade the coating with each cleaning and halve the durability.

Glaco in Comparison — How Does the Soft99 Series Compare to Other Window Sealants?

In the market for window sealants, the Glaco series primarily competes with professional ceramic glass coatings such as D-CON Ceramic Glass Clean & Protect and GYEON Q² View, as well as simpler rain repellents from accessory retailers. Compared to simple silicone sprays, the entire Glaco series is clearly superior: longer durability, stronger beading effect, significantly better resistance to windshield wipers and cleaning agents. These are product categories that are barely noticeable after two to four weeks. Compared to professional ceramic glass coatings, the picture is more nuanced. Products like GYEON Q² View, when applied correctly, provide a slightly more intense beading effect even at very low speeds and a durability of up to one year — comparable to Ultra Glaco. The difference lies in the application: ceramic glass coatings usually require more elaborate preparation, controlled temperature conditions, and more experience. Ultra Glaco is significantly more tolerant in application and, with proper preparation, delivers a result that is practically equivalent to professional alternatives — with significantly less effort and a more favorable entry point. Within the Glaco series itself, the decision is a matter of priorities: maximum durability without compromises speaks for Ultra Glaco, easiest application for the Roll On Large, fastest refresh for Glaco W-Jet.

The Right Glaco Product for Every Situation — Buying Guide

For most drivers, the most important question is: treat thoroughly once a year or quickly refresh every few months? If you want peace of mind, opt for Ultra Glaco — Fusso technology provides up to 12 months of protection, and with the Glass Compound Roll On for preparation, this durability is realistically achievable. If you want to touch up briefly every three to four months without much effort, the Glaco Roll On Large offers the easiest entry — five minutes, roll-on applicator, done. For beginners who have no experience with glass sealants, the Glaco Q is ideal: it cleans and seals in one step, requires no preparation, and delivers six to eight weeks of beading effect. Motorcyclists and anyone who wants to treat helmet visors or polycarbonate headlights cannot overlook the Glaco Blave — the only product in the series for plastic surfaces. For the complete glass protection package, we recommend the combination: Ultra Glaco for the windshield, Mirror Coat Zero for exterior mirrors, Glaco Blave for headlights and side lights, De Cleaner for interim cleaning, and Glaco Deicer for frosty winter mornings. This system keeps all glass surfaces in optimal condition throughout the year.