Applying Rain-X

[artem123]

Last Saturday after 3.5 hrs of driving in pouring rain on Turnpike i decided to apply a Rain-X for the first time ever. Well, followed the instructions, cleaned windshield, applied as stated. What can i tell you, almost immediately ( well first time i turned on wipers) i realized that my wipers are shudder like crazy! To the point they became unusable. Tried to wash windshiel about 10 times with soapy water (car shampoo), cleaned it with windex , used alcohol, nothing, wipers shudder. Went to BMW dealler ( Thompson BMW), told the tech about issue. #0 min later car came back with brand new wipers, and problem gone! Wow, the same Rain-X as i bought is being sold inside BMW dealer showroom.
Any thoughts?

[Rustynail]

I use Aquapel with great results. First I clay the windshield to get all contaminates off so it's very smooth then apply .... Works great and lasts 4-6 months depending on how much rain I'm in.
Here is where I get it but there are tons of places that sell it.
http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html

[artem123]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

I use Aquapel with great results. First I clay the windshield to get all contaminates off so it's very smooth then apply .... Works great and lasts 4-6 months depending on how much rain I'm in.
Here is where I get it but there are tons of places that sell it.
http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html

Thank you, i have heard about this. Like i said before, i never applied anything on my windshield, and for the past 8 years had used number 0 still wool to clean front glass on my previous ride. It never scratched it and kept my front glass as smooth as new.

[Kzang]

I learned long ago not to use rainx or any other chemical products on your windshield...
RainX used to haze the windshield back in the day and now it affects how the wipers perform.

[SlammedR8]

I use RainX all the time on all my cars and my entire family's cars. Never had an issue with it. No hazing, no wiper issues.

[MysticBlue]

I use Rain-X all the time, have for years. I don't have any problems with shudder or any other problems. Works great.

[Rustynail]

If you like rain x you'll love Aquapel!
A clay bar won't mar, steel wool I'd never touch my glass with.

[MattBianco]

Originally Posted by artem123

Last Saturday after 3.5 hrs of driving in pouring rain on Turnpike i decided to apply a Rain-X for the first time ever. Well, followed the instructions, cleaned windshield, applied as stated. What can i tell you, almost immediately ( well first time i turned on wipers) i realized that my wipers are shudder like crazy! To the point they became unusable. Tried to wash windshiel about 10 times with soapy water (car shampoo), cleaned it with windex , used alcohol, nothing, wipers shudder. Went to BMW dealler ( Thompson BMW), told the tech about issue. #0 min later car came back with brand new wipers, and problem gone! Wow, the same Rain-X as i bought is being sold inside BMW dealer showroom.
Any thoughts?

Had the Rain X fully evaporated when you turned on the wipers?

I ask because I believe it is mostly a solvent such as ethanol or methyl alcohol, and castor or some other oil. If the solvent does not evaporate, and happens to be a solvent for the type of rubber used on the wipers, it could damage the blade. About 20 years ago someone told me they damage wipers and I never understood why. Your situation was like a clue.

I use Maguarie detailer on the windows with decent results.

[JNoSol]

I've been using Rain-X 2-in-1 spray can for years on all my BMWs. Never had to replace a single wiper, even at 50k miles. I have heard that if you don't wipe off the excess on the orginal Rain-X, it will deteriorate the rubber of the wipers. That's why the 2-in-1 is much easier to use.

[artem123]

Originally Posted by MattBianco

Had the Rain X fully evaporated when you turned on the wipers?

I ask because I believe it is mostly a solvent such as ethanol or methyl alcohol, and castor or some othe oil. If the solvent does not evaporate, and happens to be a solvent for the type of rubber used on the wipers, it could damage the blade. About 20 years ago someone told me they damage wipers and I never understood why. Your situation was like clue.

I use Maguarie detailer on the windows with decent results.

It has FULLY and COMPLETELY evaporated before i used wipers. As the matter of fact i applied it, waited for good few min, buffed it off, and drove the car more then 24 hrs later.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

I use Aquapel with great results. First I clay the windshield to get all contaminates off so it's very smooth then apply .... Works great and lasts 4-6 months depending on how much rain I'm in.
Here is where I get it but there are tons of places that sell it.
http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html

Rustynail Is there any particular type or brand of clay to use on the wind shield?

[Rustynail]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Rustynail Is there any particular type or brand of clay to use on the wind shield?

No, mothers makes a claying kit that's easy to find over the counter at retailers. It includes the clay bars, the claying lube and a microfiber. http://www.autogeek.net/motcalgolcla.html I'm not saying to buy it here, just showing you what it is. You can get it at most auto care retailers.

Have you ever used clay before? If not you tear off a small piece maybe 1/4 of a bar and flatten it. Use the lube and medium pressure you will feel and hear the difference as you remove the bonded contaminates. Once you do this you'll want to clay the horizontal surfaces of you paint too ... You won't believe the difference.
A good test is to place your hand in a plastic sandwich baggy and lightly run your hand over the windshield dry before you start, you will feel and hear all the garbage that is stuck there, then do it again after you finish claying .... Now do the baggy test on your hood ....
Hope this helps!

[puckybadger]

I have used a safety razor for 30 years to clean windshields/windows w/o ever an issue. Try it.

[Rustynail]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

I have used a safety razor for 30 years to clean windshields/windows w/o ever an issue. Try it.

OK you do that, then take a plastic baggy stick you hand in it and wipe across it, then clay that same window and do it again ... Please post your results .... Do you use a safety razor on your paint too?

[puckybadger]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

OK you do that, then take a plastic baggy stick you hand in it and wipe across it, then clay that same window and do it again ... Please post your results .... Do you use a safety razor on your paint too?

No. Just on glass.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

No, mothers makes a claying kit that's easy to find over the counter at retailers. It includes the clay bars, the claying lube and a microfiber. http://www.autogeek.net/motcalgolcla.html I'm not saying to buy it here, just showing you what it is. You can get it at most auto care retailers.

Have you ever used clay before? If not you tear off a small piece maybe 1/4 of a bar and flatten it. Use the lube and medium pressure you will feel and hear the difference as you remove the bonded contaminates. Once you do this you'll want to clay the horizontal surfaces of you paint too ... You won't believe the difference.
A good test is to place your hand in a plastic sandwich baggy and lightly run your hand over the windshield dry before you start, you will feel and hear all the garbage that is stuck there, then do it again after you finish claying .... Now do the baggy test on your hood ....
Hope this helps!

Top Tips Rustynail many thanks.
I'm a clay virgin so will try it out and be gentle

Thanks again.

[artem123]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

If you like rain x you'll love Aquapel!
A clay bar won't mar, steel wool I'd never touch my glass with.

Again, size zero still wool will never damage you glass, and will produce great result in removing build up from your glass. I was skeptical at first, however ones decided to try. Fell in love right away.

[Rustynail]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Top Tips Rustynail many thanks.
I'm a clay virgin so will try it out and be gentle

Thanks again.

It's pretty easy, use it for a bit then fold it together and re flatten to give you a fresh surface. Now if you are trying to polish old glass that has a ton of build up that's a totally different deal (still wouldn't touch it with steel wool) but I'm talking about prep to apply a glass protectant like Aquapel.
Also use the clay on your paint befor you wax, you'll be amazed.
If you ever drop the clay on the ground throw it away, it could pick up a little rock or something and scratch your paint or glass!
Here is a nice written thread on a detailing forum from a pro on how to use clay. A good read! It talks about using on
paint but use it the same way on glass.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ling-clay.html

[artem123]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

It's pretty easy, use it for a bit then fold it together and re flatten to give you a fresh surface. Now if you are trying to polish old glass that has a ton of build up that's a totally different deal (still wouldn't touch it with steel wool) but I'm talking about prep to apply a glass protectant like Aquapel.
Also use the clay on your paint befor you wax, you'll be amazed.
If you ever drop the clay on the ground throw it away, it could pick up a little rock or something and scratch your paint or glass!
Here is a nice written thread on a detailing forum from a pro on how to use clay. A good read! It talks about using on
paint but use it the same way on glass.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ling-clay.html

Still wool will not polish old class. It does nothing but removing build up very gently. Clay bar does it own wonders. I like it and use it about twice per season.

[stewy604]

I've used both Rain-X and Aquapel, great products...a must in my opinion. I also use a windshield washer solution that has Rain-X built into it, so every time your spray the windshield or rear glass, it re-applies...great product!

[Rustynail]

Originally Posted by artem123

Still wool will not polish old class. It does nothing but removing build up very gently. Clay bar does it own wonders. I like it and use it about twice per season.

Ok you do what you like.
Here is a screen shot from the Autogeek forum from one of the nations top auto detailers Mike Phillips who says don't use steel wool, it scratches glass even though you may not see it with your naked eye. He has been the head training guy for Meguires in the past and now Palm Beach Motoring. He has detailed some very famous cars and is one of the best there is. IMO There are better ways to clean glass that is safer and designed to do so.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by Rustynail

Ok you do what you like.
Here is a screen shot from the Autogeek forum from one of the nations top auto detailers Mike Phillips who says don't use steel wool, it scratches glass even though you may not see it with your naked eye. He has been the head training guy for Meguires in the past and now Palm Beach Motoring. He has detailed some very famous cars and is one of the best there is. IMO There are better ways to clean glass that is safer and designed to do so.

Rustynail Just ordered the kit from Amazon - £24.99 in UK. Probably what you pay in USD in US. Will let you know how I get on.