RainX

[TripleTransAm]

I've had a bottle sitting on a shelf in my garage for the longest time (I think someone left it behind for me, and I never bothered to try it). While the car was in the garage with a drying coat of Z2 on it, I figured I'd give it a shot.

First of all, it is possible to apply too much. :D I did read the instructions where it said to allow the initial coat to dry to a haze and then follow it up with a second coat to ensure full coverage. I must have been in my own little world, because the moment I saw it haze I was already putting on a second coat. I probably would have done well to leave it another 15 minutes to dry before the second coat, but that's life. The result was that it took a day to dry to the point where I could take a towel and buff off the excess, then leave that to dry for another day and buff it out yet again. Since the car was in the garage over several days getting its Z6/Z2/Z6 fix, this was not a big deal for me.

Appearance: With proper buffing, there's no evidence of it being on the glass to begin with (other than a slight waxy feeling if you run your fingers over the glass, much like a freshly waxed car).

Performance: Holy crap this stuff is cool!! We got nailed with pretty bad thunderstorms and LOTS of rain yesterday. Had to drive about 100 miles in total through that rain, and I never needed to use my wipers even ONCE! The water would just ball-up into big beads and SHOOT up and off the car. Anything over 25 mph makes water CLIMB the windshield and shoot off the top of the car. And with the car parked in the rain, it's obvious the water does not want to remain on the glass for very long.

It was very weird to plow through the type of rainstorm that has most cars flicking their wipers at MAX speed, without even using the wipers once and pretty much having no water on any of the side glass. With proper maintenance, I'll bet that this will even improve my car washing time since I won't need to dry off the windows.

[TAF]

^^^You're right...it's GREAT stuff. Since I replaced the stupid OEM blades with the much, superior Bosch blades, however...I notice I have to apply it often (every couple/three weeks if I've been in the rain) because the Bosch blades do such a good and thorough wipe. But, for the cost of the bottle...that's not a problem.

However, I've never put one coat on over another...and I've learned that the leaf blower works wonders for making sure the powder-residue comes off after removal.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by TAF
However, I've never put one coat on over another...and I've learned that the leaf blower works wonders for making sure the powder-residue comes off after removal.


Powder-residue? :confused:

In my case, what was left behind was more of a greasy film. I'm assuming you're describing something similar to what you'd get when buffing out a fresh coat of traditional car waxes, but I had nothing of this residue with my RainX application.

Granted, it was ultra-humid around here last week and my garage felt like a sauna sometimes. Within an hour after the double-application, I could see what looked like the color diffraction that occurs when you've got oil in a puddle of water... it was easier for me to spot this because of the heavy tint on the windows. After the initial buff, there was still heavy smearing but no weird colors. Another day later, a fresh terry towel managed to buff away the heavy smearing. I'm sure if you REALLY looked hard at *just* the right angle, you would probably see some smears on the large inclined glass surfaces... the kind of greasy smear that looks like what's left behind if you wipe up butter off a stainless steel or chrome surface in the kitchen: ie. you can never really remove it all, there's always a hint of smearing left behind. But you need to be within a foot of the surface to notice it, I can guarantee it.

There are several different 'rainX' type products out there, in my case I used the RainX brand stuff.

I haven't tried using my wipers on it just yet (not that I'll need to, by the looks of it).

[TAF]

Steve,

I use actual Rain-X (yellow bottle). I always do it in my garage following the directions letting it haze then remove with a damp cloth. I get some powder-residue, but I have a climate controlled garage. I then back her out and use the blower on her.

Maybe I'm doing it wrong..but it works for me.

[O's Fan Rich]

Used it on my motorcycle sheild all the time. Keeps all the glass clear when it rains. I use it all around.

[SheboyganGuy]

I have found that the best way to get everything off (and avoid that greasy streaky look) is to go over the windshield with a slightly damp paper towel after you remove the hazy film. Then go over it again with a dry towel...

[BillyGman]

stuff a long time ago, and the way i remember it is that it worked great in the rain, but at night time whenever it wasn't raining, it made visibility terrible whenever oncoming headlights hit the windshield, and it was close to impossible to get off my windshield.

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm

Performance: Holy crap this stuff is cool!! We got nailed with pretty bad thunderstorms and LOTS of rain yesterday. Had to drive about 100 miles in total through that rain, and I never needed to use my wipers even ONCE!

I've been using it since the product came out, about 10 years now. It has other benefits as well.

It's great in the winter. Easier to remove thick ice and snow that builds up on the front and back windows, especially on the rear defroster lines. It also compliments 'teflon' washer fluid - the good stuff from CT[1] - and a washer heater. (For those who can't relate - it is possible to get a small heater that attaches in-line to your washer lines that pre-heats the fluid before spraying it to your windshield. makes for less scraping on cold mornings!)

It's also great if you get a large amount of muddy water thrown at you from a vehicle that hits a deep pothole. The kind of mud that leaves you blind for a few seconds till you can hit the wipers and fluid. The mud just doesn't stick!

I've tried other 'similar' products, but Rain-X it the best by far.

[1] Canadian Tire. Similar to a Pep-Boys in the States.

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by BillyGman
stuff a long time ago, and the way i remember it is that it worked great in the rain, but at night time whenever it wasn't raining, it made visibility terrible whenever oncoming headlights hit the windshield, and it was close to impossible to get off my windshield.


I'm glad to report I didn't experience any such nastiness as far as oncoming headlights. Now that you've mentioned it, I'll pay closer attention next time I'm on the highway at night.

I gotta add that the multi-buffing-sessions I went through really got the smearing to an absolute minimum, and I wasn't being gentle with the cloth (100% cotton terry cloth, clean and totally dry). I suspect I might have experienced what you reported had I stopped after 1 buffing session.

Dr. Caleb - good to hear about the winter thing. Did you find the washer heater at CT as well? How hard was it to install?

TAF - I used the small yellow bottle. What came out of the bottle was a clear liquid that smelled a lot like alcohol. I did shake the bottle before use but maybe over time some of the product separated? Does my description of the contents match what you had in your bottle? I also discovered I have a fairly new spray bottle of the stuff on my shelf, purchased a few weeks ago when I thought about using it. Now I'm afraid to use it, 'cause I really like the way the stuff in my small bottle works! :D

Climate controlled garage... in my wildest dreams. :(

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
Climate controlled garage... in my wildest dreams. :(

I have a climate-controlled garage, too...whatever climate God controls, that's what's in my garage! :lol:

I used (notice the past tense) Rain-X windshield de-icer, looks like orange Kool-Aid...seemed to work OK at first, but after a while it became less effective and at the end left a film on the windshield* that made even my new NAPA silicone blades chatter like the original factory ones...I've switched to Rain-X Bug Remover fluid, now; looks like pink lemonade (I used it a while ago, but then couldn't find it anymore, which is why I switched to the orange stuff...I thought it would work the same, but NO-O-O-O); supposed to clean off road film, bug splats, grime, etc...this better work, I can't stand using the wipers now...

*windshield = windscreen to you, 3TA :P

[TAF]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm
TAF - I used the small yellow bottle. What came out of the bottle was a clear liquid that smelled a lot like alcohol. I did shake the bottle before use but maybe over time some of the product separated? Does my description of the contents match what you had in your bottle? I also discovered I have a fairly new spray bottle of the stuff on my shelf, purchased a few weeks ago when I thought about using it. Now I'm afraid to use it, 'cause I really like the way the stuff in my small bottle works! :D

Yep...that's what I have...yellow bottle called "rain-X Windshield Wax". Clear liquid with heavy alcohol smell.


Originally posted by TripleTransAm
Climate controlled garage... in my wildest dreams. :(

Not bad, eh? It makes it more comfortable when my wife kicks me out and I sleep in the Marauder :lol:

[VaderSS]

I gave up on RainX becuase it does not last long enough for me. I switched to a product called AquaPel, which is available at PepBoys. It lasts me about a year. I would last about 6 months before I got a garage.

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by TripleTransAm

Did you find the washer heater at CT as well? How hard was it to install?

I did shake the bottle before use but maybe over time some of the product separated?

Yes, I got the washer heater at CT, right between the wiper blades and the teflon fluid...they have a section of pumps, lines, hoses, motors etc. Real easy to install, just put it inline between the resevoir and the motor, attach the wire to a fuse and switch then power. Simple, just turn it on when it gets cold. It's on my Crown Vic, so I don't know how easy it would be on the MM, but can't be that much different.

Rain-X does evaporate, and older containers were prone to this. It also doesn't like to be frozen. You might want to get a little more (by the wipers in CT too...) :-)

[uwsacf]

I have used Rain-X daily for over 30 years....

I haven't used wipers in all that time...

In Florida, we are now in monsoon season, consisting of at least one daily torrential downpour...

On a new windshield (as on the new CV Sport) I put one coat on and let it haze up for 10 minutes...

Then a second coat... (yes it looks all smeary now)

Then I use a wet towel to remove most of the haze and immediately use a soft dry towel to buff..

Can't tell it is even on...

The harder it rains or the faster I go - the better..

I can pass trucks and all their spray at 65 mph and not even tell that it is raining!!!

But like I say, it's a religion with me - every morning and if necessary, every nite - you would be surprised how easy the bugs come off = even the dreaded luv bugs...

At the rate of fuel consumption I travel at - seeing clearly is very important to me..

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by Dr Caleb
Yes, I got the washer heater at CT......

I know not of this "CT", and less about a heater.
Interesting.

When the weather stays below 30 around here I always add half a bottle of rubbing alchohol to the wiper fluid bucket. Works great, and you gotta love that smell every time ya' hit the wiper wash button....!

:rasta:

I can't find the 'clear' variety [rain-x] any longer...just their new product that is thick, milky, and a PITA to wipe off.

Still like it though, always have....but what happened to the original formula?

[Mtl_CV]

CT :

http://pages.infinit.net/zuore/2000/can_tire2.jpg

C.

[AZ Supercharged]

Many years ago I met the guy who invented Rain X and I live here in Phoenix and yes with are monsoons it works GREAT PS his house has a small golf course in the backyard.:)

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by Mtl_CV
CT :

C.

Wise guy! :P:rolleyes: