Karl_Hungus

Hey

with all the talk about the uncanny abilities fo Rain-X I bought some Rain-X wipes. I applied it according to the instructions, and lo and behold, it rained last night. However, The rain didn't sheet off, or otherwise X, at all. It looked pretty similar to the untreated glass. I applied it to the rear window, side glass, and side view mirrors, because I find they tend to get really beaded up with water when it rains, making it hard to see.

So, my question is, do the Rain-X wipes work? Or should I get the liquid stuff? Or, Am I just too dumb to follow directions properly?

thx

Lonely_Raven

Rain-X in general ROCKS!!

I just get a big bottle, or the runner up is the wipe that looks
like a stick deoderant. I've never used the wipes.

Keep in mind, Rain-X is (sort of) like a wax for your windows.
You really need to buff it in, and then buff it off (so it's not
steaky). And I often apply twice on my windshield and headlights.

Just make sure you FOLLOW the DIRECTIONS!

M-Flo

The liquid version works better. More concetrated and slick.

BigBaby

^^^ what they said ^^^

the wipes are probably diluted and dry out fast. get the liquid and keep a couple microfiber cloths in the car to apply and remove it. the stuff is great though.

wulfedog

Only use the liquid...the wipes are only good for your butt.

Willis

The liquid really works.
The wipes are not the same.
Get some of the real stuff and give it a try.
Try not to run your wipers if you don't need to after you apply it--you shouldn't need to, and it makes the rainx wear off quicker.
At least, that's been my experience...

snuppy

i've only used the liquid stuff (it rocks) but can't imagine the wipes would be that much different...

did you actually drive your car out in the rain?... from the post, i couldn't tell... as far as i know, that's the only time you'll see the true benefits of rain x... you can drive in a decent rain storm without having to use your wipers... the force of air/wind on your windshield is enough to "blow" off the rain...

Karl_Hungus

thanks for the tips.

The wipes did seem a little dry. On the glass. They did make a slight "haze" on the glass when I rubbed in nice, overlapping circles (as per instructions!), which I then buffed off.

I did drive in the rain, but I didn't do the windshield, only the back window, and side view mirrors (and windoze). So there wasn't much wind-action. Anyway, I seem to be the only person with water beading problems on the side view mirrors. Other folks swear by Rain-X and the rear-wiper alternative.

I'll try the liquid, though. thanks for the replies.

OliverThomas

Do 2 coats. And remember, it's not like this magic water repellent that makes water run screaming, it just makes the water bead up like on a well waxed hood, and when your driving ~30mph+ it rolls up the windshield and over the roof. At a stop it kinda accumulates water a little bit, so if your not going fast enough, you still need the wipers. All in all its a great product if you dont have any unrealistic expectations.

SciFly

Yes, the principle is this:

reduce the surface tension of the glass to LESS than that of water.

water has surface tension, see?

In the very early days of motoring the application of a potato cut in half, rubbed across the window glass served this purpose very well.

Even better, and can by done -in a rainstorm-, is wipe the glass with kerosene. Crystal clear view results in a moment and is even slicker than RainX (but only good for one shower; the kerosene soon evaporates). It also strips off wax.

A spray-can product is available (a silicone based material) which can be sprayed on the glass during or just before a rainshower.

hope this helps clear up the overall view even better

-I have used RainX off and on since 1972- it's just a mirco-thin application of silicone oil. So, too, the effect can be gotten from some older-type car polishes which dry to a white haze- all these tend to contain silicone. The polish helps clean the glass and the rubbing puts the silicone down into the pores of the glass.

2tone_xB

magicmanjk808

love rainx and tend to use it after every wash

WeirdScionz

I use the Rain-X wipes and the water beads right up on my windows.