About Us
As a global leader in Advanced Hydrophobic Glass Coating & Maintenance Products, we are dedicated to preserving, enhancing, and simplifying the maintenance of glass and surface materials across residential, commercial, automotive, solar, and marine industries. Our mission is to make surfaces cleaner, clearer, and easier to maintain—for the long haul.
In 1972, Unelko Corporation pioneered the Original Rain-X® Glass Treatment and has since introduced innovative methods for surface protection. Now, their product line includes environmentally friendly solutions for Commercial Glass, Cleaning, and Retail markets, effectively cleaning and protecting against soaps, soil, minerals, scratches, pitting, etching and other contaminants for long-term preservation. Unelko is recognized for its technological innovation to drive customer satisfaction with its time- and labor-saving solutions. Invisible Shield Coatings are recognized for their simpler, streamline coating application, superior glass performance, and superior easy clean results compared to competing products.
The Unelko Story Begins More than 50 Years Ago with the Original Rain-X® Glass Treatment
Howard G. Ohlhausen
(1932 to 2017)
Howard immigrated to the U.S. in 1939 with his mother and brother at age 7. Their family fled Nazi Germany to find safety. By the grace of God, his father Arthur, after surviving years in a German concentration camp, was safely brought to the states, where the family was reunited in Chicago, Ill.
Howard worked very hard at a young age, in times that were difficult as an immigrant with little or no means. He was driven to learn and master the English language early on, which allowed him to excel in school. Howard’s interest became expansive in writing, his love for the dictionary was never ending, and his strong work ethic and commitment followed him into college. He attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he found further interest in psychology and philosophy, and ultimately graduated with honors. While attending the University, he met Beverly and they married in 1953.
After college he joined the Air Force, wanting to serve the country that he felt brought his family to safety as a child. He graduated from officer’s candidate school as a second lieutenant and was assigned as an Aircraft Observer – Navigator and, with advanced training, ultimately as an Air Electronic Countermeasures Officer (the single most needed rating in the entire Air Force). It was there that he identified the need to develop a means to improve visibility in flying aircraft during inclement weather.
Howard and Beverly started their family in Chicago, were he worked with his father and brother in the family “Schmatta” business. Howard traveled the world selling their bulk rags, cotton and denim clothing, and wipers to underdeveloped countries. He was always committed to his father’s life long passions. It wasn’t long, however, until Howard’s inventor side came out. His experiences in the Air Force led him to create a small laboratory, allowing him to experiment with coatings and water repellants that would allow aircraft to achieve better visibility and safety.
After years of testing, he invented and patented several ultra-thin “polymer” coatings that rendered glass and other surfaces to become water and soil repellent. He trademarked “Repcon” which was ultimately sold to the U.S. Air Force. Then came the brand Rain-X “The Invisible Windshield Wiper” and so a new chapter in his journey began. He moved his family to Scottsdale, AZ in 1981, where Howard and his three sons continued to commit their lives to building the new family business and ultimately the incredible product “Rain-X” became a global automotive brand.
1952
In the early 1950s, during the Korean War, Howard G. Ohlhausen served as a U.S. Air Force Observer and Navigator, frequently undertaking missions in challenging poor weather conditions. He faced the hazards of flying with limited visibility during severe weather, including rain, sleet, snow and icy conditions. Having encountered several near-crash incidents, he recognized the urgent need to develop a solution aimed at enhancing visibility and safety while flying or driving in adverse weather conditions.
1955
After retiring from the Air Force, Ohlhausen uncovered a newfound passion as an inventor. Working in a family business, he established a small lab where he began to experiment with altering the surface tension of glass and other hard surfaces. His focus was on coatings, treatments, and water repellents designed to enhance the performance of glass, porcelain, ceramic, and plastic surfaces by chemically sealing surfaces to dramatically repel rain, sleet, snow, and ice, and significantly improving visibility while flying in wet and icy conditions.
Ohlhausen realized that by sealing the pores, and “silica sites” of surfaces was essential to prevent the adhesion of rain, sleet, snow, ice, and other contaminants. The coatings also enhanced the appearance of glass, porcelain and other materials extending their useful life. This breakthrough led him to invent several unique, ultra-thin polymer coatings that repelled water, soil, rain, sleet, snow, ice/frost, bugs, and other debris. The coatings also provided increased resistance to surface damage such as scratches, pitting, etching, and permanent staining.
1971
Ohlhausen secured several patents for innovative polymer coatings through Unelko Corp. The patents were granted in 1972. U.S. Patent #3,578,488, titled “Method for Rendering Substrates Water Repellant,” and U.S. Patent #3,579,540, an ultra-thin polymer coating that enhanced glass surfaces—such as windshields, side windows, mirrors and headlights—making them water, soil, and stain repellent. Building on this foundation, Ohlhausen and his sons began to develop key products like Repcon®, Rain Repellent and Surface Conditioner for aircraft canopies, adopted by the U.S. Air Force, and Rain-X®, which was widely embraced as an automotive glass treatment that created an invisible, super smooth barrier on glass that shed water/rain, snow, ice and contaminants, dramatically enhancing driving visibility in poor weather.
1980
In 1980, the family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, dedicating their efforts to grow the Rain-X brand. They broadened the product range with cutting-edge solutions that enhanced driving safety and visibility. They expanded the product line, featuring the Rain-X Glass Treatment, Rain-X Anti-Fog, Glass Scrub Stain Remover, Wiper Refills, and Premium Windshield Wash with rain repellent properties. With a solid product line established, the family concentrated on increasing brand recognition.
1984
In 1984, Unelko made a strategic marketing decision to sponsor motorsports, partnering with prominent race car drivers like Scott Sharp and Mario Andretti, as well as the Newman/Haas racing team. These sponsorships played a key role in elevating the Rain-X brand visibility, driving increased distribution and sales across Auto Parts Stores, Mass Merchants, and various other retail outlets.
1993 - 1998
Unelko sold millions of units of its Rain-X rain repellent and other products. After two decades of successful brand development, the Ohlhausen’s sold the Rain-X business to Quaker State Co. in 1998. Since then, Rain-X has undergone several ownership changes. More than 50 years after its creation, Rain-X remains a prominent brand in the automotive aftermarket, providing surface protectants widely used, including in commercial car washes.
2006
Following a lengthy non-compete period, the Ohlhausen’s went back to work with a renewed mission and passion to enhance glass and surface coating technology. They wanted to develop smarter cleaning and coating solutions, for a broad range of household & commercial surfaces. Focusing on the needs of the end user, aimed at improving visibility and safety, simplifying cleaning, reduce time, labor and effort cleaning without the need for harsh chemicals and abrasives.
2008
After much research and development, Unelko developed the next-generation, Nano-Scale glass and surface coatings that are micron-thin, free of PTFE (PFAS/PFOS/ Fluorocarbons), designed for greater durability, easier application and safety. The coatings provide enhanced protection against water, soil, stains & minerals for reduced soiling, enhanced appearance and to prevent surface damage such as etching, pitting, scratches and permanent staining.
They trademarked their improved “Ceramic” based coatings, Invisible Shield® Glass & Surface Coatings which became widely used on residential and commercial glass worldwide. The glass coating seals & protects glass, porcelain, ceramics and other surfaces, and reduces time, labor and cost of cleaning. Making cleaning and maintenance easier and minimizing the need for frequent cleaning with harsh chemicals and abrasives.
2009
Unelko develops innovative, dual action 2-in-1 multi-surface cleaners/coatings that cleans, seals and protects a variety of hard surfaces across the household, commercial and professional cleaning sectors. The low-VOC, eco-friendly products minimized soiling, reduced cleaning time and improved the appearance of hard surfaces including windows & doors, showers, mirrors, sinks, tubs, tiles, counters, partitions, solar panels and windshields.
The products broaden the Unelko product line of glass and surface products under their Clean-X and Invisible Shield® trademarks, offering the first specialized “dual action” cleaners/coatings, and hard water, mineral and stain removers. Unelko focused on raising awareness of their new and improved Invisible Shield Cleaners and Coatings across the B2B and B2C sectors.
2010
Unelko began to position its Invisible Shield Glass Coatings as a leading glass coating and cleaning solution in the commercial glass industry. The company began supplying major glass and shower door manufacturers, producers and distributors such as Roman Shower Door, Coastal Shower, CR Laurence, Waxie, Brady, Ravak, Unger, along with numerous U.S. and international glass companies. Their distribution network extended across South America, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, and other regions, providing distribution for their advanced glass coatings.
2012
Unelko develops and patents two advanced, multifunctional surface care products, trademarked Sani-Shield® and Sani-Scrub® that contain a unique EPA registered antimicrobial agent and silane quaternary ammonium salt trademarked Interface 72 MUP. The antimicrobial agent is designed to be incorporated into various materials, including cleaners/coatings for glass, porcelain, ceramic, plastic, fiberglass, metal, wood, and fabrics. The products containing the unique silane quat, effectively cleans surfaces and provide a barrier coating that is protected with the Interface antimicrobial agent to prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew in between cleanings. Targeted for commercial cleaning applications, in janitorial, hotel/hospitality, healthcare, hotel, and related markets, they address major challenges within the commercial cleaning markets. The Sani-Shield products keep surfaces cleaner, and the protected coating reduces the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew in between cleaning to keep surfaces preserved, odor free and sanitary.
2014
Unelko acquires the “Eliminate” brand of bathroom, scale, mineral and grout cleaners from Herc Inc., a Phoenix manufacturer that supplies Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and other DIY retailers.
2015
Responding to the expanding solar industry and demand for its protective coatings, Unelko introduces Solar Shield, a coating designed to safeguard and protect glass photovoltaic and solar modules on solar farms, homes, offices and buildings. The solar coating prevents environmental soiling, stains & other degradation on photovoltaic glass panels that can negatively impact the energy efficiency and performance of the solar panels.
2016
Unelko broadens the distribution of its Invisible Shield Glass Coatings and cleaners within the commercial glass and cleaning markets. It introduces two automated glass coating machines called the Invisible Shield Microburst Glass Coating machine, which applies the glass coating automatically “in line” at high-volume glass producers. Major glass producers and fabricators increasingly adopt the Invisible Shield “Easy Clean” coatings for enhanced preservation and protection. Unelko’ s Glass Scrub® Water Spot & Stain Remover—a highly effective stain remover gains widespread popularity to deep clean surfaces before applying the coating, and is being used by leading glass restoration and window cleaning companies worldwide.
2017
By 2017, Howard Ohlhausen and Unelko held more than 50 U.S. and International patents for various products including the unique “Organo silane Quaternary” ammonium salt cleaner/coating, a VOC-free silane quat, and various cream formulations of its water, soil, and stain repellent coatings.
Late 2017
Howard Ohlhausen sadly passed away. He was 85 years old. He will be greatly missed for his work ethic, vision and passion pioneering the glass coating industry. He was instrumental in inventing one of the first polymer glass coatings, the very successful Rain-X product line, and other surface care products that continue to provide solutions for everyday cleaning challenges in the commercial glass, janitorial, healthcare, hospitality, kitchen and bath, automotive, marine and solar markets. With increasing VOC regulation, he established safe, storage stable products without the use of harsh, hazardous chemicals and solvents before many other manufacturers.
2018
Unelko develops and introduces, Repel®, one of the first “Dual-Action” Ceramic Cleaners that simultaneously cleans glass and other hard surfaces and applies a protective “barrier coating” that repels water, soil, stains, helping surfaces stay cleaner longer. Repel® quickly gains national recognition and popularity among consumers, window and cleaning professionals, becoming a leading product for glass, shower doors, and other hard surfaces.
2019
Unelko creates its Architectural Grade Coating, Invisible Shield PRO 15. A durable coating for commercial and architectural glass on homes and buildings. The advanced, complex coating is embraced by commercial glass producers and fabricators for its performance and 15-year limited warranty on shower glass, windows, facades, partitions, and other surfaces. It is trusted by industry professionals and is being used worldwide on many notable commercial & architectural buildings.
2020
Amid the Covid pandemic, Unelko saw a rise in sales of its Sani-Shield® and Sani-Scrub® Cleaners driven by heightened demand for surface protection and improved hygiene. The products deliver a durable, water-, soil-, and stain and microbe resistant coating that inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew stains.
2021
Unelko continues to optimize its cleaners, coatings, stain removers and specialty glass care products by creating an Application and Referral program for Window Washers. The company launches the Invisible Shield Glass Coating Application for window washers and glass restoration businesses across the U.S., enabling them to offer an advanced Invisible Shield Glass Coating service to residential and commercial building clients. This program allows window cleaning companies to provide enhanced glass protection that helps maintain glass cleanliness, clarity, prevent soiling and stains, and boosts their revenue through the premium coating service.
2025
Unelko’s commercial and residential B2B and B2C operations will have expanded significantly, with major retailers like Amazon, Home Depot, TJX Stores, HD Supply, and other e-commerce platforms worldwide offering Invisible Shield, Repel, Sani-Shield, and Eliminate brands. Today, millions of users including shower door manufacturers, glass installers, distributors, cleaning and building contractors, as well as consumers, recognize Invisible Shield as a leading glass coating in the cleaning and coating industry.
Invisible Shield Has Been a Proven Leader in Durable Glass Protection for Decades
Notable glass companies world-wide including AGC, Saint Gobain/Sekurit, PPG, Andersen Windows & Doors, Contractors Wardrobe, Arizona Shower Door, Coastal Industries, C.R. Laurence, Oldcastle & Trulite Glass, (some of the largest glass fabricators in U.S.) and many other companies have confirmed the coatings application, performance, and value. Invisible Shield has protected countless glass on hotels such as Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Choice Hotels, MGM & Four Seasons, the U.S. Airforce, Boeing/Airbus, prominent and historic buildings like the Smithsonian Institute, Louvre Museum, Willis Tower, Vanderbilt Estate, along with recognized theme parks including Disney, Sea World, the Monterey Bay, Georgia & Chicago Aquariums to maintain the appearance of their glass and to resist soiling, staining, scratching, etching, fingerprints and other degradation.
Invisible Shield® Protection
Invisible Shield durably seals the microscopic pores of the surface to actively repel water, soil & stains for easy removal.
Water, Grime & Mineral Stains
Water, soil and stains stick to an untreated surface requiring harsh chemicals and abrasives for removal.
