Would anybody recommend using Rain-X?

adocholiday

Hi all,

Last week during the really heavy rain my wipers & screen washer just stopped working. Luckily I was only 5 minutes from home so I put the window down and drove really slowly the rest of the way back. When I got back I tried restarting the car to see if it fixed the problem but it didn't. The screen wash would work intermittently however. Booked in with the mechanic for the next day and of course they were working 100% the next day so he couldn't diagnose the problem. Apparently there's a few different things that can cause this so he said there was no point throwing money at parts.

I need to make a long journey tomorrow and I'm scared that it will happen on the motorway or something. I heard that Rain-X could be a good backup to put on the windscreen so if it does start raining at least I'll still have visibility. Some people are saying that it's so good they don't use wipers at all. I wouldn't risk that but if it's enough to get me to a garage then brilliant.

Just wondering if people have personal experience with it? How did you find it? Any downsides?

Toyotafanboi

It's good stuff alright, definitely would do what you need it to do. Biggest problem is getting a dry hour to apply it. It's very watery, so less is more while you're putting it on, rather do 2 light coats than one thick one as it csn be a bit stiff to buff off if it's too thick.

If you are doing any kind of speed you could easily drive with the wipers off, at say 50km/h the water is rolling up off the screen. Not that that's condonable :rolleyes:

visual

Use it on back window as I've no rear wiper works well in heavy rain not so good in misty rain as tiny droplets stay on glass.

Won't use it on front as it cause the wipers to smear.

There is no getting around it need to get wipers repaired

Chippy01

I've used this stuff http://www.rainracer.com/index.htm in the past.

Great stuff, much better than RainX, and hard to find over here.

Anyone know of a stockist? I'd buy again in a heartbeat!

SBPhoto

I use Orchard Hydrophobe on the windscreen, much better than RainX, Really runs of the windscreen in heavy rain would definitely get you to a garage, Detailing Shed stocks it. would still recommend you get the wipers fixed though

blackbox

visual wrote: »

Use it on back window as I've no rear wiper works well in heavy rain not so good in misty rain as tiny droplets stay on glass.

Won't use it on front as it cause the wipers to smear.

There is no getting around it need to get wipers repaired

This is exactly my experience with it too. On windscreen smearing is noticeable at night.

I experimented by using it on just one side of my rear window to see which side was best.

I definitely preferred the side that didn't have it. It took ages to wear off - and it got more annoying when it was only half effective.

Would not recommend!

Hal1

It's good tack just use it sparingly when needed. I wouldn't spray on a months worth of rainX as it will cause smearing. A light spray working on one side of the screen at a time is all that's needed. The important thing to do is clean the wiper blades or they will streak, smear (leaving a noticeable white residue). Sure there are better products but it's all down to what works best for you.

NIMAN

I used it a few years back, was ok but again it was noticeable at night with smearing. Once it wore off I never reapplied it.

I would advise getting good wipers just, you shouldn't need it then.

Foxhole Norman

I've had great experiences with AG's Window Polished on a well cleaned windscreen, rain flies off it! A good claying goes a long way!

I've used it,and like it. Never really experienced much of the smearing that people talk about.

That said, it only really is beneficial when you're doing a decent speed. A motorway run and it's great. N roads at a steady 100km/h, grand. But tip-toeing around the town in traffic at 40-60 and I don't think it really helps that much (in my opinion).


That said, I didnt apply the way they say to on the bottle. I poured it excessively onto a microfibre pad and rubbed it around. Let it sit for 2-3 mins and then buffed off with the other/dry side of the cloth (kinda like waxing a car).


Edit: I also do the two front side windows (driver and passenger) and wing mirrors. Find it helps in wet weather.

BMJD

I used it and while it was good, I think it confused my auto wipers as they kept coming on and off randomly.

adocholiday

Thanks for the input all. Just to be clear I am most definitely getting the wipers fixed but I have to wait for them to go again first so the problem part can be identified. I'm just looking for something to get me out of immediate danger and get me to a garage if they go again.

Toyotafanboi

Rain-x will certainly do that!

Pops_20

I started using Rain-X on my cars a few years ago and can't really do without it anymore.

It's great stuff when you apply it properly. The water just beads straight off at 70-80 kph +, and I don't use wipers anymore at these speeds - visibility is actually better once the window is saturated. You need to apply it using a circular motion with a piece of cloth, just like wax. It's best to sprinkle the glass with some water when buffing off, it comes off easier this way.

Only downsides I have seen are if you don't buff it off properly it can leave swirls and it can be hard to see under streetlights at night. I've never experienced the smearing with the wipers. And also it starts to wear off after a few weeks so you need to re-apply for the best effect.

vectra

The main problem with windscreen products like RainX is when you do use the wipers it will cause smear and judder. Eventually it will drive you mad and you will regret ever using it.
I have tried a lot of them from RainX to Gtechniq to Angelwax etc.
Every one of them are alike.
I only use them on my side and rear windows now.

I would get the wipers repaired.

megabantz

Excellent stuff, I have been using it for over a year now and works every time! It last a good few weeks too and as a poster said above I too apply two light coats and rub it until the faint white marks go away. Very easy to apply from the spray bottle. I use it on all windows even the front and no smudging occurs at all.... You can drive down the m50 with no wipers on its great fun to watch the water bead and roll away

corks finest

adocholiday wrote: »

Hi all,

Last week during the really heavy rain my wipers & screen washer just stopped working. Luckily I was only 5 minutes from home so I put the window down and drove really slowly the rest of the way back. When I got back I tried restarting the car to see if it fixed the problem but it didn't. The screen wash would work intermittently however. Booked in with the mechanic for the next day and of course they were working 100% the next day so he couldn't diagnose the problem. Apparently there's a few different things that can cause this so he said there was no point throwing money at parts.

I need to make a long journey tomorrow and I'm scared that it will happen on the motorway or something. I heard that Rain-X could be a good backup to put on the windscreen so if it does start raining at least I'll still have visibility. Some people are saying that it's so good they don't use wipers at all. I wouldn't risk that but if it's enough to get me to a garage then brilliant.

Just wondering if people have personal experience with it? How did you find it? Any downsides?

Never,I used it ,and its useless,took me an hour plus to get it off

megabantz

corks finest wrote: »

Never,I used it ,and its useless,took me an hour plus to get it off

Im curious as to what went wrong as when I use it it goes on like water and only after its been rubbed in till it dries I sometimes (during warmer months) have to wipe away very light white streaks but its not a hassle its just a quick rub and the window is spotless