New versus old Rain-X

[poikaa]

I bought recently a new bottle of Rain-X, did my usual clean, 0000 steel wool, water rinse and dry and application of two coats of Rain-X. Worked ok but not like I remember from a few years ago... Maybe?
Yes! I found my old bottle of Rain-X from 1992! I re-did the treatment with the older stuff and what a difference! Mind you the 'new' application was done in April of this year and was just about gone. Using the 'old' stuff worked wonders, just like I remember....

Here are the bottle differences side by side....

New size - 3.5 Fl. Oz. ****** Old - 7.0 Fl. Oz.
UPC code - 079118010706 ****** - 079118126643
Both made in USA
Trade mark of Illinois ToolWorks, INC ****** by UNELKO CORPORATION,
a division of ITW Global Brands ****** Scottsdale, Arizonia 65260
Houston, Texas 77024 ******
Price @ Walmart online $3.97 ****** Price $??? (Hardware Online Store has a
similar bottle for $6.49 on sale for $2.89)

Both have similar instructions, both have a strong smell but way different. The old smells more like waxes and their solvents.
I think the 1992 stuff works far better and should last longer!

poikaa

 

[IndyFan]

I'm glad to see someone confirmed it. I used to swear by that stuff, and now I think it is next to worthless. I wonder why they changed something that worked so well?

 

[poikaa]

UNELKO is still in business making all sorts of glass cleaners and repelants for automotive and commercial applications. Their current auto glass repelant is called 'Rain Clear'.

poikaa

 

[bbhero]

I bet you're 100% right about the old stuff working better. I used the Rain X windshield fluid. It actually does a very good job. I drove through a thunderstorm yesterday and didn't even need the wipers at all. I have using their windsheild formulation for years and it has really performed well

 

[Koz1]

I have a new and old bottle I will try new and old on different sides and let you know after a few days.

Some people use Zaino (Z2 or Z5) and never use their wipers ever.

 

[Tony_Mack]

+1 on the windshield fluid. It's worked very well for all the vehicles in my family.

 

[Rand]

I prefer aquapel its overpriced but lasts at least 3-5x longer than rain-x ever did for me.

 

[AZjeff]

The inventor of RainX sold it years ago, waited the non-compete period then came out with Rain Clear. We used Rain Clear in a manufacturing/molding application and I talked to the owner about it's properties. Try it in the squeeze bottle, not the spray or gel.

 

[Brybo86]

I'll have to check the manufacturer of my bottles they are probably 2+ yrs old.

But really Nufinish after a clay bar on the windshield is going on 6 months of protection at about 90% of the effectiveness of rain ex... I like it

 

[grampi]

I've been using Rain-X for years and I've notice no difference in it's performance...if I apply it once every one to two weeks, it seems to work just fine...

 

[Garak]

Interesting information. I know that I simply haven't paid enough attention, and my driving habits have changed over the years, so I can't say I've gotten a good enough idea of things. I'd agree with Grampi, though, that more frequent applications help. I don't do it ever week or two, but I should be doing it at least once a month, I suspect.

 

[BHopkins]

Interesting that you should bring this up. I just recently bought a new bottle of Rain-X to replace my old bottle, that had lasted a few years. Using the new bottle, I put a fresh application on the windshield of my Outback before leaving on vacation to Kentucky. On the way home last week, we got caught in a pretty good rain storm in Indiana and Illinois, and again in Missouri. I found it odd that my windshield was not clearing off like I was used to, and I had to resort to turning on the wipers, something that in the past, I almost never have to do at highway speeds.

With the old bottle, I only applied Rain-X a few times a year. Considering that I used the new bottle to treat my windshield only a week before the rainstorm, it didn't measure up. I think I'll be switching to Aquapel

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: Brybo86


But really Nufinish after a clay bar on the windshield is going on 6 months of protection at about 90% of the effectiveness of rain ex... I like it


+1 This.

Clay it well and then wax. But I use Collinite 845 since it doesn't leave white marks on black trim like most other waxes. Amazingly effective.

RainX gets gummy after a few weeks (at least the old stuff did). Maybe new type is better but nothing beats wax.

 

[HerrStig]

+1 on a clean clay bar. The multiple curves in modern windshields are harder on wipers than the old flat glass on a V Dub before 71.
The soup which roads are pretreated with up this way is proving to be a lot harder to wipe off than plain salt.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: BHopkins
Interesting that you should bring this up. I just recently bought a new bottle of Rain-X to replace my old bottle, that had lasted a few years. Using the new bottle, I put a fresh application on the windshield of my Outback before leaving on vacation to Kentucky. On the way home last week, we got caught in a pretty good rain storm in Indiana and Illinois, and again in Missouri. I found it odd that my windshield was not clearing off like I was used to, and I had to resort to turning on the wipers, something that in the past, I almost never have to do at highway speeds.

With the old bottle, I only applied Rain-X a few times a year. Considering that I used the new bottle to treat my windshield only a week before the rainstorm, it didn't measure up. I think I'll be switching to Aquapel


Don't waste your money...I tried Aquapel once and it didn't appear to do ANYTHING...even the new formula Rain-X is much better...you just need to apply it more frequently...

 

[mkosem]

Originally Posted By: Tony_Mack
+1 on the windshield fluid. It's worked very well for all the vehicles in my family.


Just make sure it is safe for your vehicle before using it. It has a habit of killing washer fluid level sensors in some cars.

--Matt

 

[Garak]

I did notice one minor difference, now that I think of it. I always used to use a J-cloth to apply the Rain-X, and could use the J-cloth many, many times. In any case, for a few years, I was just using a rag, and now started with the J-cloth again. After one use, the J-cloth became brittle to the point it would turn to powder if I tried to use it again. So, perhaps something has changed in the chemistry of Rain-X or the chemistry of J-cloths.