Rain-X

[dhalltoyo]

What's your opinion?

I tried it on my windshield and it really does allow me to run in certain weather events without turning on the wipers, but when I do turn on the wipers they hesitate (jerky motion at the bringing of the stroke) as if they are hitting sticky spots. Moreover, their is a visable line that is created at the end of the stroke. I rubbed that line of blackish residue and it was kind of sticky. I thought maybe my wipers were deteriorated so I replaced them with new Rain-X wiper blades, but the exact same condition exists.

Could chemical properties of the Rain-X be a magnet for dirt and road grime?

Additionally, I do like using it my side windows because it spoils the water quicker and increases my visibility.

 

[dcalien]

I haven't used it on this van, though I used it in the past on various tractors, and I really liked it. I found that it was a good idea to clean the wiper blades first.

It has been so long I cannot remember, though I think I used alcohol to clean them with. I think that stopped the black sticky stuff.

I know I have a lot of vivid memories that sometimes never happened, so I do not trust my memories any more.

 

[2czykats]

Rain x:

I also found that using Rain-X washer fluid works well too.

 

[pelicn]

We use RainX and have also had the problem with those "sticky spots". What I can't figure out is, why? It doesn't happen all the time, so is it possibly something that's on the road or in the air that causes it?

 

[Moot]

What's your opinion?

Could chemical properties of the Rain-X be a magnet for dirt and road grime?

I find that Rain-X is a magnet for dust when parked. That is about the only negative I can think of. Besides it's rain repelling properties, bug guts seem to clean off easier. Even when baked on by the sun.

Always apply Rain-X to clean, warm glass. Very clean glass! Even after having the vehicle washed, clean the glass! Soap, rinse agents and wax residues can remain on the windows. Temperature should be above 50 degrees. Two light applications works better than one soaking.

The best glass cleaner I have found is made by Sprayway. It comes in a blue and white aerosol can. I buy it at Costco by the case but it can be found at Ace Hardware stores. Sprayway also makes a glass cleaner specifically for the graphic arts industry. It comes in an orange and white can and can be used on copyboards and camera lenses. Good stuff! I believe Turtle is a Sprayway fan.

For cleaning wiper blades, small cuts and making martinis, I always carry a box of alcohol wipes. These are small, individually wrapped gauze alcohol swaps are used for disinfecting an injection site. Sold at most pharmacies for a couple of bucks for a 100 count box.

As David mentioned, Rain-X works great on side windows and also mirrors. As for the black sticky residue he experienced, I have never encountered that. David, are your wiper blades in contact with the glass when you apply Rain-X? Could be some runs down the glass and pools at the blade and affects the rubber.

Rain-X also makes an additive for mixing with washer fluid.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I experienced that black almost tar like conditions the other day and it was enough that I had to pull under a fillin station cause of course it was raining...I don't use Rain-X and I have Bosch wipers...maybe some kind of reaction with that De-icer (salt substitute) on the roads and road spray with gas and diesel and oil residue??

 

[Moot]

It certainly could be caused by something other than Rain-X. I have never experienced it, other than a black line where the wipers park after baking in the sun for a day or two.

I clean my glass, at the very least, every time I fuel. I also clean the wiper blades about once a month with alcohol swabs. Wiper blades get replaced at least twice a year. Once right before winter and again in the spring. More often if conditions warrant it.

 

[pelicn]

The best glass cleaner I have found is made by Sprayway.

We use this too. It's good stuff! We are smokers, and it cleans the glass without streaking.

 

[Turtle]

I'm a Sprayway superfreak.

The 050 glass cleaner is great. For those who can't find it easily, Stoner's Invisible Glass is on par with the Sprayway cleaner, tho.

Sprayway's 848 plastic cleaner is just killer for laptop screens. The 985 Orange Citrus Crazy Clean is an all purpose cleaner that works miracles. And the 983 Heavy Duty Multi-Surface Cleaner Wipes are hand wipes that also have a rough, but non-scratch surface that removes bugs (and grease, soot, you name it) better than anything I've ever seen.

The complete line of Sprayway is available here:
Sparkle Auto detailing products aftermarket accessories car cleaning product enhancers

I've never had much problem with Rain-X. The trick is to really, really resist using your wipers, unless you also have the Rain-X additive in the washer fluid. Otherwise I've had a milky streaking at times. But for the most part, except for just a deluge of rain, I leave the wipers alone.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

when it first rains there is alot of oil and fuel in the spray...The bug wash formula cleans some of the oil...The oil streaks...

 

[dhalltoyo]

I pulled the wiper blades away from the windshield so I could apply the Rain-X to every available square inch.

After washing the truck, I then cleaned the windows with Rain-X Window Cleaner (Spray Bottle available at Walmart) before applying the Rain-X Window Treatment.

Thanks for the tip about the alcohol wipers.

The salt de-icer should be washed off the roads by the time my new truck is finished. This will give me the opportunity to see if it was a winter related condition.

PS. Has anybody tried the Rain-X Anti Fog Treatment for the inside windows? During the cold weather vans tend to get a lot of moisture on the inside windows when heating while sleeping. I thought the Anti Fog might help with that condition. I did buy a neat little folding fan that runs 72hrs on 4 D Cell batteries on low speed. I have only used it once, but placing it on the dash and directing air flow toward the windshield seemed to eliminate the problem of moisture forming on the inside glass. I bought NiMh batteries and I found a charger that works off wall current and it also plugs into the 12Volt outlet in the van.

 

[Marty]

Aquapel by PPG works much better than Rain-x and last up to 6 months. Much less hazing on windshield when using wipers.
Go to aquapel.com for information then google for good deals.

 

[Turtle]

Aquapel looks pretty good. I've heard of it, but never saw it anywhere. Apparently, it lives up to its hype. It's used more by service professionals and auto detailers than consumers. Not sure why, except that maybe a single application of Aquapel costs about the same as an entire bottle of Rain-X. Then again, Aquapel lasts 6 months, even with repeated windshield wiper use, as well as repeated washings.

Informative comparison, with a kewl video
Josh Wardell’s MINI Cooper S » Rain-X vs. Aquapel

 

[MSinger]

I pulled the wiper blades away from the windshield so I could apply the Rain-X to every available square inch.

After washing the truck, I then cleaned the windows with Rain-X Window Cleaner (Spray Bottle available at Walmart) before applying the Rain-X Window Treatment.

Thanks for the tip about the alcohol wipers.

The salt de-icer should be washed off the roads by the time my new truck is finished. This will give me the opportunity to see if it was a winter related condition.

PS. Has anybody tried the Rain-X Anti Fog Treatment for the inside windows? During the cold weather vans tend to get a lot of moisture on the inside windows when heating while sleeping. I thought the Anti Fog might help with that condition. I did buy a neat little folding fan that runs 72hrs on 4 D Cell batteries on low speed. I have only used it once, but placing it on the dash and directing air flow toward the windshield seemed to eliminate the problem of moisture forming on the inside glass. I bought NiMh batteries and I found a charger that works off wall current and it also plugs into the 12Volt outlet in the van.

Dave,
What truck did you decide to go with? I know you were looking at an Aerocell.

 

[Falligator]

I've had problems myself using rain X, but on my P.O.V. not my van. I gave up using the stuff b/c I would clean my windsheild "several" times and would still get the "smearing" effect after a couple of rain events. I just stick to the 'ol car wash myself. Maybe I'm not applying the rain x evenly enough. I dunno.

 

[dhalltoyo]

MSinger,

In lieu of any more delays, no thanks to American Axle, it looks as though we have been able to locate a properly equipped chassis to go with an Aerocell. It wasn't a 100% replica of my ordered chassis, but probably in the 90% range. It doesn't have a power driver's seat or power/heated mirrors; two options that I currently have and enjoy.

I committed to sell my current 2008 van to a fellow expediter and had an order in the que for a chassis when the strike hit. Gee, now what do I do? Well, I believe in keeping one's word, so I agreed to continue with the sale of my current van.

Hopefully, the new unit will not take any longer than 4 weeks to get driven over to Buffalo from Michigan and through Aerocell's production. That is their guess on the time frame.

I have been reluctant to post any details as of yet, because I wanted to see how all parties involved in the process would respond to their committments. In the realm of trying to be gracious, and fair, I am waiting to post an evaluation based upon performance of the GM dealer and Aerocell.

All prayers for a speedy and flawless build are greatly appreciated.