Rain-X - Am I Cursed for Life?

[94BULLITT]

I never liked rain x. In just a little mist you have to use your wipers to see.

For you guys talking about wiper blades get a set a Neo forms. They fit the windshield really well and I have had a set on my truck for 3 years. Regular old wiper blades may only last a few months. I have a cheaper set of Michelin blades on my car that I got at a close out store, they are similar to the neoforms and they seem to be doing well.

 

[smilinjak]

I have had the same problem with RainX. The absolute best method for removing it that I have found is to use silicone and wax remover from the automotive paint supply store. The works well to get the wax off your windshield after going through the car wash. I usually wipe the blades down with it too. It is amazing how much crud comes off the blades.
Smilinjak

 

[Fixemall]

Most times the Rainex stuff reacts with your car wash and the Ph of any water that it comes in contact with, I personally don't use the product on my vehicles but have had great success by using a glass polish and mechanical buffer on my windshields once a year, I also wipe down my wiper blades with a clean rag and rubbing alcohol on a regular basis, most streaking is the result of dirty blades and residue from car wash/wax combo products.

 

[sixdogs]

Uh-oh, I love rain-X. I've used it for years and if it's kept up and you don't turn the wipers on it does a great job. I once drove 1000 miles in a rainstorm, mostly at night and never turned the wipers on. There was a black residue I wiped off when I got there but other than that it was like driving as though it wasn't raining. Maybe it's the way it's applied.

I first clean the window with Windex and then when spotless put two coats of Rain-X on and wipe thoroughly between them. I touch up every couple weeks the same way and love that the bugs are easy to remove with the Rain-X on.

Maybe it's the area of the country we live in since I did notice Rain-X wasn't as great when we lived in the rainy and cold north but I can't remember exactly why. Maybe it's that it is way drier in Ohio and when it does rain, it usually really rains. I don't know. I do know that once you turn the wipers on you have to clean the window and start fresh with new Rain-X or you have the problems described above.

 

[mrmikey]

The stuff that Scooby074 said worked good for me as a cleaner, almost like an abrasive hand cleaner. I tried Rain-X once and despised it, accidentaly I god some Turtle Wax Ice wax on my side windows once time when I washed my truck and it worked great so on a whim I tried it on my windshield and was very impressed. It's all I ever use now both inside and out on my windows....Mike

 

[herringchoker]

Wow, thanks guys! Lots of food for thought here. Although I thought I had thoroughly cleaned the windshield before I applied it, maybe I wasn't thorough enough. I too am a fan of Bosch blades and I do clean them regularly, but with WSW fluid. I will try alcohol on them. On the windshield, I will start with what I have: methyl hydrate (gallons left on the shelf from air brake days), Coke (I remember my father using it to clean windshields 50 years ago), and then (if neither of those work) the specialized silicone removers and glass cleaners. The time is fast coming for the annual changeover to winter blades (and snow tires - I can feel it in my bones), so I will start fresh with new blades.
I agree that the stuff is impressive when it works, but I find that most of the time (for whatever reason) it just doesn't do it for me.

 

[tcartwri]

Never had the residue problem with Rain-X.... It's used on both commuters religiously. It also sheds ice a lot easier.

The product they sell to go in your washer reservoir is another story. It will leave streaks and a cloudy haze on the glass.

 

[sixdogs]

If you really must clean it off, maybe try Joy brand dishwashing detergent. It's widely known with the hot rod crowd to really clean any wax and residue off before starting fresh. I use it all the time and can't recall any residue or wax left behind.

 

[dodge man]

I've also used Rain-X over the years and have never had problems. My wife loves it when I do her windshield with the stuff.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Looks like we have a mixed bag of lovers an haters. I used it many years ago and it worked ok, but when using the wipers it fogged briefly behind the wipers but immediately cleared. I found a bottle in my old box full of cleaning supplies a few day ago. Maybe I will try it again. NOW to find an old newspaper to buff it with, those are scarce around my house.