Windshield Treatments Like Rain-X

[jyl]

Seems topical . . .

I’d like something to coat or treat my windshield so that raindrops simply glide away, without need for wipers.

Rain-X is the obvious answer, and I have three bottles of it here, all barely used, which evidence that I apparently don’t find it good enough to actually use? My recollection is that it works, but not well enough to eliminate the use of wipers, which proceed to remove the Rain-X . . .

Maybe I’m using it wrong.

What about ceramic glass coatings? A freshly ceramic’d paint panel will shed water like a greased duck, maybe a windshield will be even better?

[Brian 162]

I've seen a product called Ceracote advertised on tv. It looks like a similar product.

[WPOZZZ]

I would say ceramic coating.

[masraum]

Rain-X works pretty well if the windshield is cleaned well and it's properly applied. How well the stuff slides off of the windshield depends upon the car and its aerodynamics. Many years ago, I had a car that I tried it on, and it didn't seem to work. I did it a second time and it worked really well. Water beaded up on the windshield and then when I hit 45mph, just blew right off, but I still used the wipers if the rain was heavy enough. Below 45, the water beaded, but didn't really blow off. My boxster has the water blow off at a different speed, but I can't remember what speed that is.

Applying regular Rain-X is a PITA. I have switched and been using for years, Rain-X that you put in your windshield washer fluid. THat way every time you squirt your windshield, it gets re-applied. You can even give it a squirt in the rain and see a difference if it doesn't seem up to the task. I still use my wipers, but it makes a huge difference in visibility through the windshield whether you're using your wipers or not.

A while back, I had the pump for my washer die in a year with a drought. It was dead for 6-9 months, and by that time, my windshield had lost all Rain-X functionality, but I didn't realize it because I never drove in the rain. I drove home from work one day and it started raining. I couldn't see carp. I had just got the windshield pump fixed, but the tank only had washer fluid, no Rain-X. WHen I got home I added some of the fluid additive. The next time I drove in the rain, the difference was huge.

If you find something that REALLY means that you don't have to use your wipers, let me know, but I'm not holding my breath.

[look 171]

I really like the Turtle Wax ceramic coating so I applied it to my windshield also thinking it will have the greased duck effect. Well, it did but it only works when everything is fresh and new. Once dirt and dust gets on it, and the coating starts to wear after a month, its all the same just like Rain-X. Works well when fresh, after some time sitting outside, they are all the same. Regular wax works too. Don't expect anything to last out in the element. Put on new wipers, its a lot less work and it works better in all conditions.

[fanaudical]

I used to religiously Rain-X my windshields and then got tired of doing it. It does work well if you maintain the coating. I've often wondered if a thin coating of parylene or FEP on glass would be a long-lasting repellent coating but it probably doesn't last long with dirt / dust / abrasion...

This got me wondering as to what do they use on aircraft? Found this:

https://www.ppgaerospace.com/getdoc/ff939dfe-b0b3-4401-90ed-9d054d604af8/Surface-Seal%C2%AE-Coating-Quick-Application-Kit.aspx

keywords: hydrophobic glass coating

Some others:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/rainbgon.php?clickkey=134872

https://www.nanotechcoatings.com/automotive-coatings/hydrophobic-glass-coating/

https://www.griotsgarage.com/glass-sealant-8-ounces/

I haven't tried any of these. Visibility in my truck in the rain is awful; I might give some of these a go...

[jyl]

I just watched a detailing video about glass treatments. They say the best is the ceramic stuff.

They also say you want to prepare the glass properly. Glass cleaner, clay bar or glass polish/buffer, then rubbing alcohol to remove all the cleaning and polishing residue.

I just went and poured some of the Rain-X windshield washer concentrate into the washer fluid reservoir.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by jyl

I just watched a detailing video about glass treatments. They say the best is the ceramic stuff.

They also say you want to prepare the glass properly. Glass cleaner, clay bar or glass polish, then rubbing alcohol to remove all the cleaning and polishing residue.

I just went and poured some of the Rain-X windshield washer concentrate into the washer fluid reservoir.

I have used rain-x windshield washer in all my cars religiously and to be honest, I don't think there's any real difference compare to other windshield washer fluids. I did find Rain-X remove dead bugs a tiny, little bit better but that's after the smashed up bug that's been there for a couple days.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by jyl

I just watched a detailing video about glass treatments. They say the best is the ceramic stuff.

They also say you want to prepare the glass properly. Glass cleaner, clay bar or glass polish, then rubbing alcohol to remove all the cleaning and polishing residue.

I just went and poured some of the Rain-X windshield washer concentrate into the washer fluid reservoir.

Good luck. I'm not sure that works the same as the one that's specifically an additive.

Originally Posted by look 171

I have used rain-x windshield washer in all my cars religiously and to be honest, I don't think there's any real difference compare to other windshield washer fluids. I did find Rain-X remove dead bugs a tiny, little bit better but that's after the smashed up bug that's been there for a couple days.

I've never tried their washer fluid. I normally just use plain water and the fluid additive.

[Superman]

I'm with Steve, above. In fact I notice he contributes high-order wisdom here regularly.

I don't doubt an expensive ceramic coating works better and lasts longer, but I'm also pretty sure it is not a permanent fix. Glass gets sandblasted.

The effectiveness and longevity of Rain-X does depend very much on the installation method. The important parts include the cleaning of the glass and the polishing of the new Rain-X surface. The latter is much more important than the former, in my experience.

Do not apply in sunshine. Do not use a cotton cloth to polish. I use a microfiber cloth. I apply the Rain-X rather liberally using circular motions both clockwise and counterclockwise. I wait. And wait. Then I use the microfiber cloth. This is the hard part. Rub rub rub. The more you rub and polish the effective surface of the product, the better it will work and the longer it will last.

Properly applied, the need for wipers will be eliminated for speeds well below the 45 mph mentioned. Indeed, rain will skittle off the glass at 45 mph many months after application.

If you have every put Rain-X on your windshield, then here is something I want you to notice using the method in #1 below without having to use the #2 method:

#1: Remember what it was like before Rain-X. At that time, water simply did not bead up on the glass. The thing that made it hard to see during a rain event is the refractive effect of having a watery surface pretty much constantly on the outside surface of the glass. This caused blurriness pretty much everywhere, particularly if the rain event is more than just a sprinkle. In a good downpour, wipers only do a little bit of good. In a downpoor, your visibilty was dangerously poor even with the wiper on full speed. If you have ever put Rain-X on your glass, some of it is still there and it helps visibility more than you think.

#2: If you must, the go to the trouble of removing everything from the glass surface including the Rain-X. Then drive your car normally. The next time you are in a downpour, you will see what I described above.

I use Rain-X, and I re-apply it about every 6+ months. Can't remember the last time I did it, and it is still working fairly well. Annual rainfall in my area is 50".

Originally Posted by jyl

....They also say you want to prepare the glass properly......

It is difficult to get glass truly clean. Most solvents are a waste of time. Wax & Grease Remover available at auto paint stores is helpful. Also, there remains a very difficult to remove layer of grime, particularly where the wipers do not travel. At least slight acidity is your friend here. Vinegar is something that gets mentioned a lot, but I do not find it particularly effective. I am afraid to use Bar Keeper's Friend, even the non-abrasive kind, because ANY abrasive is a bad thing. Glass is softer than I wish it were. Old School guys use Cream of Tartar to remove this film. That, and elbow grease. I do not actually get all that persnickety about clean-ness. I spend ten minutes getting it "good enough" then apply the new Rain-X. I do get serious about the polishing, however.

[Steve Carlton]

I just removed the windshield. Any good recommendations for my googles?

[unclebilly]

RainX is PTFE (Teflon) based. It creates a hydrophobic (repels water) layer on the glass. It works, we use it on our race car and I used to use it on my visor when I rode a motorbike in the winter.

There are other (better) products out there now. Apply correctly on clean glass and it should work fine.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Superman

I'm with Steve, above. In fact I notice he contributes high-order wisdom here regularly.

Aww, shucks.

#1: Remember what it was like before Rain-X. At that time, water simply did not bead up on the glass. The thing that made it hard to see during a rain event is the refractive effect of having a watery surface pretty much constantly on the outside surface of the glass. This caused blurriness pretty much everywhere, particularly if the rain event is more than just a sprinkle. In a good downpour, wipers only do a little bit of good. In a downpoor, your visibilty was dangerously poor even with the wiper on full speed. If you have ever put Rain-X on your glass, some of it is still there and it helps visibility more than you think.

Exactly, when I drove in rain earlier this year not having had Rain-X applied in probably a year, it was scary. It's similar to looking through those glass blocks that were all the rage in the 70s





I couldn't find a completely accurate depiction of with/without Rain-X, but this is really close.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

There are other (better) products out there now. Apply correctly on clean glass and it should work fine.

I think that's JYL's question. What are the better products?

And my question is "how are they better"? (ie, last longer, repel better, etc...)

[jyl]

It occurs to me that among the rain-on-glass problems for me is on the front side glass (tight city turn in pitch-dark rain, can't see black-clad stoned hipster through the side window) and the rear glass (reversing, in my Stone-age cars without backup cameras). Wiper wear isn't a factor there.

[911 Rod]

I tired Rain-X years ago and hated it. When it was raining and you were at speed it worked amazingly. With a drizzle it did nothing and if I turned on the intermittent wipers they smeared.
It was also very hard to remove and I ended up with it being even worse. Bought the washer fluid with it accidently and remembered why I hated it.
Having said that, driving on the track without using your wipers is pretty cool.

[Superman]

Thank you Steve. Perfect illustration.

I put Rain-X on all the glass I plan to look through. It all helps, in my experience.

Rod, I saw the same smearing effect years ago and rejected Rain-X like you. Then I returned years later, and can't explain why smearing is not a problem now. Perhaps it is the polishing. The polishing really is the key to Rain-X.

[944 S2]

I worked with automotive glass for many years. There are longer lasting solutions out there. We even applied it as a standard feature for some door glass for a model in Japan. Expected it to last 1 year then the customer work get it reapplied at the dealer. That said they are coatings and will also have a limited life.
PPG has a product that last longer. As mentioned ya gotta start with a clean windshield. Offline I was told let it sit for 24 hours with getting wet and it will prolong the performance. I just look up this: https://www.amazon.com/Aquapel-Glass-Treatment-Single-Applicators/dp/B004NFU300/ref=asc_df_B004NFU300/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312168126179&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7114682588573615517&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9014871&hvtargid=pla-570727628621&psc=1&mcid=62ad3b31ef193c62bc6256f4b570b2b4&gclid=CjwKCAiA44OtBhAOEiwAj4gpOe7seNemaRv6z8RPYoLf 4SOy71Ngjp-eIa1mhYt7msZfQVGK6o2hIhoCklIQAvD_BwE

[LWJ]

I drove from Redding to Portland in December in a car with Rain-X. Barely used my wipers in a nasty winter storm.

Yes. Application is a pain. But it worked great.

[look 171]

I am going to derail this thread a bit but the problem isn't the inside. It is the interior that fogs up. It takes some time for the windshield to warm up with heat to make it all go away. Blowing AC through the vent not only freeze my ass more but its only temp. fix. The most successful fix is to keep the interior clean