In a word, yes. SOFT99 claims that the Glaco is an 'invisible wiper' and will remove the requirement of wipers at commuting speed (SOFT99 makes it clear you should use your wipers anyway) and in our experience, rainwater does bead off the glass effectively. We tried the Roll-On on both treated (with the compound) and untreated cars, and the difference in performance was rather clear.

There are two glass protecting products on test here: a glass compound for preparing the glass to be cleaned and a roll-on rain repellent. Ergonomics are at the forefront of the SOFT99 mantra, with both products featuring a built-in applicator and a simple way to dispense the product (squeeze the body).The Glaco Compound is applied to clean glass and is really easy to use (squeeze the body and use the attached foam applicator) and while it may look like a beige wax, it will turn whiter as it’s worked into the glass. Its job is to break down any existing rain repellents as well as any stubborn oils that aren’t shifted during regular shampooing. Once applied you simply hose the Compound off and your glass is ready for a coating.

Glaco is a family of water repellent coatings and products for cleaning glass surfaces. Thanks to unique, Japanese technology, Glaco has been making driving in the rain comfortable and safe for car owners all over the world for 30 years. Thanks to its properties, Glaco DX is useful not only on rainy days. In winter, it will reduce the formation of frost and ice, and throughout the rest of the year, it will protect the glass against dirt, making daily maintenance easier.The usual rule of thumb has been that the better the protection, the more complex and expensive the application. SOFT99 aim to change this with an affordable, simple to apply rain repellent that offers long-term hydrophobic protection. What is it? Glaco DX utilises the newly developed SARF (Strong Adhesion + Rapid Finish) technology, which shortens bonding time between the coating and glass to just 5 minutes. Polishing the coating has become amazingly easy, and the strength of the bond guarantees durability for up to 4 months. In addition, the coating forms an ultra-smooth film that repels water with unparalleled power and speed. Nothing in this world can make the prospect of a traditional windscreen wiper exciting. At CAR, we’ve previously employed Lord Byron to make wiper blades interesting and even the worlds best wiper design - the superbly overengineered single wiper blade on the Mercedes 190E - isn’t interesting. Glaco DX is the latest generation of the Glaco glass coating range, providing unprecedented water repellency, ease of application and ergonomics of use. Try Glaco DX and discover the highest level of safety and comfort while driving in the rain.

To put it simply, use both together and you'll get effective long-lasting protection. Better still, there is no juddering from the wipers when they're in use, which can be an issue with some cheaper rain repellents. There’s little benefit to a rain repellent if it’s convoluted to apply or has an insanely long curing time (how long it takes before you can get it wet). With this in mind, this two-stage approach does take longer but the results last much longer.

Invaluable before every Glaco glass coating application!