Rain-X

[JHZR2]

OK, as I didnt really find it in the archives, let's have the Rain-X discussion.

Who uses it? Who doesnt?

I used it on my old 83 MB, worked great but when wipers were needed, theyd chatter. Then again, the car was 20 years old, so the spring may have become weak.

Application is a big deal, you have to do it right. I did it right, worked great, but I was reliant on re-applying to keep the wipers from chattering.

THat said, Im thinking of using it on my side and rear windows now instead. I think it might be good.

How many folks use rain-x? Anyone actually use it on windshields in high-rain, dirty and traffic-prone areas???

Has anyone ever found a superior product?

Any suggestions or issues to be aware of?

Thanks,

JMH

 

[kokopelli]

Rain-x now comes in a towellete-type thing. The wipe is already pre-mositened, and you just wipe it on, then wipe off residue...

pretty simple. and it has worked for me without problems.

they also make an anti-fog type that comes in the same fashion (towellete wipe), for use on the inside glass, and it does help keep from fogging the interior glass...

 

[Dominic]

I use rain-x and will always use it. As an optometric student I recommend it to my patients and hand them a simple how-to guide for applying it without smears. Here's how I do it.

1. Apply liberally in circular motion with folded paper towel when ambient temperatures are over 40F
2. Let Dry 30 minutes to haze on all windows
3. Spray lightly with water and wipe off using a microfiber cloth
4. Use Rain-X windshield wash whenever possible to prevent rain-x loss on the windshield.
5. Reapply every 1-3 months as needed.

Honestly it takes me no time when I spraywax my car, and using this method means it needs no elbow grease. I HIGHLY recommend the microfiber method, cotton just doesn't remove the haze well. I know Aquapel is a competing product, but its more expensive and doesn't work as well initially but it supposedly lasts longer between applications. In the rain I rarely use my wipers, if only occasionally for light mist or water off trucks.

 

[mikered30]

A superior product is called Aquapel. Lasts so much longer than Rain-X. You can buy it online, or at pep boys. The consumer product line from Aquapel is called PPG Water Repellent. It is about $8 and lasts about 6 months. Make sure you windows are as clean as possible before applying. Claying the windows would be beneficial.

 

[sciphi]

I used it on my old Elantra. Had it on all the windows, and the side-view mirrors. It worked wonders in driving rain. Didn't like how it did in light mist, though. The fine droplets made the windshield impossible to see through!

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Strange but true...I've found that putting on new blades right after a Rain-X application yields no chatter, skipping, etc. So, every time I'm ready for a new coat, I pick up a set of blades. I have chattering problems when I apply a fresh coat and attempt to use the existing blades.

 

[oily boyd]

Having used Rain-X for years, I have found that wiping it off with a dry MF cloth (rather than with a mist of water) works best for me. Lasts longer but requires more elbow grease to remove.

IMO, its benefits are most apparent when driving in heavy rain at night. I've never had a problem with wiper chatter (06 Highlander, 05 Camry, 05 Impala, 00 Civic, 04 Civic, various Taurii, 90 Mustang and 88 CRX Si... these are all vehicles I've used it on, only own the Camry & Highlander now).

Based on some comments above, I may pick up the AquaPel if I ever see it.

 

[Colt]

Rain-X is a dinosaur.
Today you can use sealants like Rejex,Zaino AIO,Klasse AIO etc.
Does the same thing and lasts longer.

 

[gizzsdad]

I've used RainX for years. I have experienced the chattering on occasion. One of my primary motivations for using is that it makes bugs MUCH easier to get off, for the three seasons around here that they are a problem.

 

[deeter16317]

I've used it since the early 90s...I would not drive without it.

It is a real pain to drive a car without rain-x...the side windows sheet over so you can't see, can't see out of mirrors, etc...

I'll have to check out some of the others...valvoline also makes a product like rain-x, however I've never tried it.

 

[harry j]

Rejex is far superior to Rainex, try some if you can find it.

 

[benjamming]

I don't use it. What's the point? The glass is usually cleaned every week when I wash the car.

 

[Quest]

I'd only use it on my side and rear windows. I don't use it on my front windshield for I get extremely annoyed w/ that haze like film when the wiper blades sweep over the already applied windshield esp. during nighttime driving.

 

[speedyswede]

I'm still a Rain-x user. I use it on all of the glass surfaces(too bad I have plastic headlamps). I have experienced wiper chatter in the past, but I find that it usually stops once the blades warm up.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Colt
Rain-X is a dinosaur.
Today you can use sealants like Rejex,Zaino AIO,Klasse AIO etc.
Does the same thing and lasts longer.


Yup, Klasse All In One works the same or better, but without the haze of Rain-X. Of course, Klasse is also a dinosaur...

 

[Carmudgeon]

Originally Posted By: Quest
I'd only use it on my side and rear windows. I don't use it on my front windshield for I get extremely annoyed w/ that haze like film when the wiper blades sweep over the already applied windshield esp. during nighttime driving.


I agree. Everything except the windscreen.

Once applied, it needs to be reapplied periodically, or the haze, chatter and skipping appear as it wears off. That's a routine I choose not be locked into.

I'm already steadfast in keeping the windscreen clean, so Rain-X offers little benefit.

 

[IndyFan]

Originally Posted By: speedyswede
I'm still a Rain-x user. I use it on all of the glass surfaces(too bad I have plastic headlamps). I have experienced wiper chatter in the past, but I find that it usually stops once the blades warm up.


It works fine on plastic. Most airplane windshields are lexan, and it never causes problems. I've used it many times on plastic headlamps.

I am, however, with the folks who don't use it on the windshield for the same reasons.

 

[1sttruck]

RainX is kind of like windshield heroin as once you use it you need to freshen it up on a regular basis in order to avoid some bad smearing. I also use the tube stuff Rain Clear and find that it works better to alternate between both products. RainX doesn't seem to work as well as it use to years back, so like almost all products I'm assuming that they started cost cutting and reduced the active ingredient in it. It rains sometimes here in the Pacific NW, and I either don't use the wipers or only use the lowest setting on the highway. With a fresh application I don't need wipers around town, and as it ages I need to the wipers at higher and higher speeds.

From what I've seen an applications lasts longer and responds better on new windshields, and as the windshields age and get pitted and scratched, even with just fine scratches from using the wipers, one needs to use it more often.

I'll always use the stuff as from what I've seen in other's cars in heavy rain the wipers cannot keep up with an untreated windshield, while they can with RainX or something similar. One might not even need to use wipers in heavy rain, like me on I5 yesterday between Portland and Seattle, the weekend before, etc.

 

[Tosh]

I like Rain-X a lot (but I'll look for Rejex next time), and I use it on all exterior glass and mirrors. I can usually have the wipers on a longer intermittent setting around town and completely off above 60MPH. It's not so much about keeping the glass cleaner, it's about the surface being too slippery for water droplets to stick.

 

[2Fast4U]

RainX is great. I even put it on rental car windshields before taking a long trip. I've found a much easier wipe off method after applying the rainx. I use a squeegee that has a sponge on one side. I wipe the rainx'd windshield with the wet sponge and use the rubber squeegee after. Much easier then trying to buff off.