Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Paddy on March 16, 2005, 04:27:13 PM

Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Paddy on March 16, 2005, 04:27:13 PM: Anybody use this stuff? I put on my car windows and it leaves a greasy smeary mess. blech.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: RRTX on March 16, 2005, 04:40:35 PM: I use the rain-x windshield washer fluid, in my opinion it works just as well as the normal stuff and is a million times easier to apply.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Parker Dean on March 16, 2005, 04:54:11 PM: Yeah, it looks a bit messy for a day or two and then settles down. Since it's essentially a wax this is to be expected.

I like it. It really helps on the bug guts removal, and when you're on the highway as much as I am that's a definite plus.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: mtnbkr on March 16, 2005, 05:07:26 PM: I've always gotten good results by polishing it in with newspaper or a clean rag. I stopped using it years ago because it was such a PITA. If you get it on right, it's great.

Chris
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: stevelyn on March 16, 2005, 05:37:05 PM: Awesome stuff. You don't need to use your windshield wipers at highway speeds. I apply a dose of it about once a month and always use the additive in the washer resevoir.
If it looks messy, buff the windows with a clean rag or rinse them off with a hose. Either way the haze will disappear. BTW most pilots use it on the windshields of their airplanes.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: jefnvk on March 16, 2005, 06:24:17 PM: I'll second the washer fluid. that's what I use, and I do say that at highway speeds you really have no need for windshield wipers.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: cfabe on March 16, 2005, 06:43:58 PM: I also use the rainx washer fluid, it's good stuff. Keeps a nice rainx film on the windsheild and I never have to re-apply. Makes the wipers work better and I don't need them on the freeway.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Wildalaska on March 16, 2005, 07:28:57 PM: beats one of those homeless guys with th poop rag washin off yer windows

WildyuckAlaska
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Unisaw on March 16, 2005, 07:29:36 PM: It comes in pretty handy here in the Pacific NW. It is a pain to apply, but it last several months. YMMV.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: GigaBuist on March 16, 2005, 10:32:36 PM: I've used it before. My windshield wipers took a complete dump so I put some on the next day. As long as I was above 40mph I could see perfectly clear. Maybe my windshield has a good slope for the stuff.

BTW, you're supposed to apply the stuff when it's over 40 degrees. I found that if it was cold that the hazy thing was more prevalent. It does take a while to buff it out and make it clear again. I think I'll try the windshield washer additive stuff.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Schuey2002 on March 16, 2005, 10:46:14 PM: I apply it before I go out wheelin' in the winter..

I love watching the mud just fly off the windshield!! Hehehe.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: BillBlank on March 16, 2005, 11:19:58 PM: Can someone read their bottle and tell me if it's ok to apply to plastics? I've just ridden through the winter again and trying to keep my visor from being opaque was a pain, as it always is.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Guest on March 16, 2005, 11:37:54 PM: Don' t have a bottle handy.

I started using it again simply because Mom was fussing about not seeing very well in the rain. Her age and eyes ...still I was expected to "come up with something". *shrug*. So I apply to her car with her piddlin' in town driving and now I am a "good son" ( whoopee for me) . I also put on new complet wipers - I ain't gonna tell her though.

Applied above 40* and I use newspaper to wipe. If a haze [ don't want mom to fuss now do we?] I spritz the glass with a spray bottle and wipe with a lint free cloth.

Oh...I was in the Family Dollar Store and saw they carried it. $2 , yes everyday price of $2 for the 3.5 oz size. Less than the Auto Parts store next door for sure. Same Rain-X , package, bottle and all - Just had the FD price label is all.

I have used the Castrol Product as well. Seems I used their cloths that do a similar thing - free sample sent in my junk mail.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: TarpleyG on March 17, 2005, 04:03:33 AM: Quote from: BillBlank
Can someone read their bottle and tell me if it's ok to apply to plastics? I've just ridden through the winter again and trying to keep my visor from being opaque was a pain, as it always is.
I used it all the time when I had motorcycles a few years ago. I experienced no issues at all. And you can use Fog-X on the inside as well.

Greg
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Wedge on March 17, 2005, 04:55:01 AM: I use the de-icer Rain-x windshield washer fluid. Works great.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: mtnbkr on March 17, 2005, 05:12:19 AM: I dunno if it exists or not, but they also make an anti-fog product. I used it back when I drove a 72 VW Beetle every day. It was great for keeping the windows defogged during damp days. I stopped using it once I fixed the defroster hoses.

Chris
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: ...has left the building. on March 17, 2005, 05:52:29 AM: I just use the washer fluid as well. As others have said, at highway speeds wipers are not even needed.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Paddy on March 17, 2005, 05:59:27 AM: Just learned something from a lady here at work. She has been using RAIN-X since the 70's and claims they never have to use their windshield wipers. BUT, she said they buy it in small quantities because it goes bad and doesn't work well after awhile. The bottle I used was several years old. Maybe that's the problem.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: thumbody on March 17, 2005, 06:59:30 AM: I started out using Prestone Rain Repellant but can no longer find it. Switched to rain x. I think the Prestone applied easier and didn't streak as much.
I find it also makes scraping ice off the windows much easier. When I was on 3rd shift I would have all my windows cleared while others were still scraping their windshield.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Guest on March 17, 2005, 07:31:18 AM: Rain X is good stuff! It does leave a little bit of a haze but hit it with a little water sprayer after you apply the first layer then wipe it down. I love the stuff!
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Lws on March 18, 2005, 03:11:34 PM: Love it alot.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Sylvilagus Aquaticus on March 18, 2005, 03:33:52 PM: Rain-X is very cool stuff. It's basically an acidized alcohol.

A Caveat- apply it EXACTLY as the instructions on the bottle say and it will work. Give it time to dry before you wipe it off. I've used the stuff for 30 years and it sure made a difference, especially on a couple of vehicles...most notably the old 1949 Ford with vacuum-operated wipers (ugh) and the VW camper with a patio-door sized windshield. It's a huge boon to visibility in rainy weather, and, at speeds of > 30 mph it nearly negates the need for cranking up your wipers- the rain just doesn't stick to the windshield. It's as if it modifies the surface tension of the water- it doesn't want to stay on the windshield.

It makes bird poop and bugsplats easy to deal with, too.

Regards,
Rabbit.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: XLMiguel on March 18, 2005, 03:37:11 PM: Been using it for 20+ years, maybe into my third bottle. It doesn't go bad with age. The trick is to get your windshield good and clean to start. apply per instructions, buff it in well and do a second coat the same way. Yes, it does take a bit of elbow grease. Spritzing with a little watter before you buff helps. I seem to do it 2-3X/year on the windshield, ix/yr on the sides & rear glass. Ice, frost, snow just pops off in winter with rubber squeegee, next to no scraping req'd.

I've also used it on the clear plastic headlight covers, works OK but Meguirar's plastic cleaner & polish does a better job, as does Klasse All-in-one.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Fly320s on March 19, 2005, 03:25:46 AM: I've used it and regular car wax on my windows. Can't tell a difference between the two. But car wax is quicker and easier to apply.
Title: RAIN-X
Post by: Silver Bullet on March 19, 2005, 03:48:25 AM: Good stuff. I used it a lot when I lived in rainy country.

In fact ... it's so water-repellant ... that I could apply it to my tires and drive across the lake !