Rain-X
08-05-2010, 02:32 PM
#1
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Rain-X
Anyone ever use it? I bought and tried twice with streaking every both times. My research shows most people swear by it. Your thoughts?
08-05-2010, 02:42 PM
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I've used it for years.
Trick is to let it dry and haze. Wipe it back down with a damp sponge or wet towel, then wipe it all off with a dry towel. Finally, polish with a microfiber towel. it's a little more work, but you'll be streak free and happier when it rains.
Trick is to let it dry and haze. Wipe it back down with a damp sponge or wet towel, then wipe it all off with a dry towel. Finally, polish with a microfiber towel. it's a little more work, but you'll be streak free and happier when it rains.
08-05-2010, 02:42 PM
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Always matters with the application method and pre-surface cleaning. If the surface isn't clean it can have unstable results.
Some wiper blades also don't really like it. Something in the rubber.
Honestly, one of the best methods I have found is applying it via aerosol in the rain. Seems odd, but when raining, grab window cleaner and clean rags/towels, give your windshield a good rubbing, then using the aerosol and coating the windshield good, and rubbing it all down again.
Some wiper blades also don't really like it. Something in the rubber.
Honestly, one of the best methods I have found is applying it via aerosol in the rain. Seems odd, but when raining, grab window cleaner and clean rags/towels, give your windshield a good rubbing, then using the aerosol and coating the windshield good, and rubbing it all down again.
08-06-2010, 01:07 AM
#5
I've been using it since it first came out in the early 80's. I'm one of those that swears by it.
One time, in my RX7, it was raining so hard people were pulling off the road because they couldn't see with the wipers on high. I continued driving with the windshield wipers turned off. Vision wasn't a problem. RainX works best on windows that have a slope to them and speeds over 30mph. It allows the wind to blow off the water. It doesn't work nearly as well with a more vertical window.
You may have to initially treat the window twice for the best results. When I'm through with the window, I also use the wet RainX cloth and wipe down the wiperblade too.
One time, in my RX7, it was raining so hard people were pulling off the road because they couldn't see with the wipers on high. I continued driving with the windshield wipers turned off. Vision wasn't a problem. RainX works best on windows that have a slope to them and speeds over 30mph. It allows the wind to blow off the water. It doesn't work nearly as well with a more vertical window.
You may have to initially treat the window twice for the best results. When I'm through with the window, I also use the wet RainX cloth and wipe down the wiperblade too.
08-06-2010, 04:31 AM
#6
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The other secret is to make sure there is no mineral build-up on the glass. Use vinegar or other mineral remover ( Lime Away, CLR ) and get the class really clean before applying RainX.
08-06-2010, 09:02 AM
#8
I used it on my work truck back in the day because the wiper motors would fail mid-storm and I wouldn't be able to see anything! It was merely for safety. I noticed that it would leave a "bumpy" nasty film on the glass. Not really an issue since it was a work truck and I was more interested in not crashing. What do you guys use to clean it off in between applications.
08-06-2010, 10:01 AM
#9
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No rain X stuff is as good as carnauba wax. screw that rain x crap ... just clean your windshield with regular windshield fluid .. and then wax three to four layers
your wipers will love u !
your wipers will love u !
08-09-2010, 10:29 AM
#16
2009 RX-8 Touring
I used to use Rain-X, but I don't anymore. I found something better: PIAA silicone wiper blades. They leave a thin coating of silicone on the windshield every time they wipe. All you have to do is install the blades and wipe down the windshield with a wet-wipe that has silicone on it, to help get the process started. I've had silicone wipers on my two cars for over a year and a half now, and I haven't had to change the blades yet. I just wipe them clean with an alcohol pad every few weeks. Water still beads up on the windshield like I just applied Rain-X yesterday.
08-09-2010, 10:44 AM
#17
Our windshields are a special glass composition that are innately water beading/shedding. It's one of the few windshield types that actually doesn't seem to work well with Rain-X in my use.
In fact it's one of the few types that doesn't seem to work well with Griot's glass cleaner either and I therefore use ol' tried and true Windex.
It is important to remove any hard water mineral deposits. Periodically I've used glass polish with a random orbital buffer to good effect.
In fact it's one of the few types that doesn't seem to work well with Griot's glass cleaner either and I therefore use ol' tried and true Windex.
It is important to remove any hard water mineral deposits. Periodically I've used glass polish with a random orbital buffer to good effect.
08-09-2010, 11:04 AM
#18
2009 RX-8 Touring
All new windshields will bead water effectively. It's after a few years of scratching and pitting that the value of silicone becomes obvious.
Anyway, I still recommend silicone wiper blades if for no other reason than they don't dry out and get damaged the way rubber wiper blades do. In 20 years, all wipers will be silicone.
Anyway, I still recommend silicone wiper blades if for no other reason than they don't dry out and get damaged the way rubber wiper blades do. In 20 years, all wipers will be silicone.
08-09-2010, 11:05 AM
#19
Huey52's comments may apply however, as I haven't noticed the same big improvement with RainX on the 8 as I have with my other cars.
08-09-2010, 11:16 AM
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I apply, let dry and once it hazes remove with a damp cloth. Then buff it with dry cloth. Works great everytime.
I had problem like you mentioned early on when I skipped the removing with a damp cloth part. Good luck.
08-11-2010, 10:36 PM
#22
"I wanna go fast!"
I use RainX wipers... and for my windshield... i have two coats of wax on it.
Actually... its funny. The first time it rained with my new wipers i didnt even need to use them. There was so much wax on my windshield that on the highway the rain just slid off.
Either way, RainX wipers + good wax job = absolutely no water. The spray is a waste.
Actually... its funny. The first time it rained with my new wipers i didnt even need to use them. There was so much wax on my windshield that on the highway the rain just slid off.
Either way, RainX wipers + good wax job = absolutely no water. The spray is a waste.
08-11-2010, 11:56 PM
#23
08-12-2010, 04:23 AM
#24
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I have used Rain-X on most of my cars for years. The results are pretty dramatic, and as many others have stated, I rarely ever need to use the wipers. I love the stuff, so obviously it hasn't been "a waste" for me...
08-12-2010, 08:34 AM
#25
2009 RX-8 Touring
Unless they can beat a year and a half with plenty of lifetime left, neither is better than silicone wiper blades. 
Supernaut, I used the Super Silicone model. I bought a pair of complete assemblies and a couple sets of spare blades, so I wouldn't have to worry about whether the spare blades would fit in the OEM wiper assemblies.
Just so you know, the windshield will probably look like crap the first time it gets wet, because it won't have an even coating of silicone on it yet. The silicone wet-wipe mitigates that a lot, but it's not perfect. It'll take a couple minutes of running the wipers before it'll look good, but after that it'll look good until you stop using the silicone wipers.
Supernaut, I used the Super Silicone model. I bought a pair of complete assemblies and a couple sets of spare blades, so I wouldn't have to worry about whether the spare blades would fit in the OEM wiper assemblies.
Just so you know, the windshield will probably look like crap the first time it gets wet, because it won't have an even coating of silicone on it yet. The silicone wet-wipe mitigates that a lot, but it's not perfect. It'll take a couple minutes of running the wipers before it'll look good, but after that it'll look good until you stop using the silicone wipers.
