Rain-X Original Glass Treatment
If you live somewhere where it rains at all, ever, you need this product. If you live in the Northwest and your windshield is not already coated with Rain-X? Just…put down the mouse, now. Back away from the computer, and get your ass to a auto-goods store and buy this RIGHT THE HELL NOW.
Rain-X works by being “formulated with a transparent polymer that fills the microscopic pores of glass with hydrophobic molecules”. Whatever. Here’s the important part: after you put this stuff on, rain just…beads off your windshield. You don’t even really have to use wipers, the water just rolls right off. It’s crazy, and awesome, and for people who live where it rains for months and months on end, it makes you feel a lot safer when you’re driving through a massive downpour because you have so much more visibility.
It works on sleet and snow, too, which has been really helpful in Seattle’s freakishly cold weather over the last couple days. It’s easy to apply, and it costs, like, FOUR DOLLARS. Now get going and Rain-X your car right this minute, okay? Stay safe out there.
Link: Rain-X Glass Treatment
Ballpark price: $4
Posted: November 28th, 2006 under Automotive, Personally recommended by Linda.
Comments: 18
Comments
Comment from Erin
Time: November 29, 2006, 8:11 am
Ok, so I have a teensy problem with Rain-X. Is it just me? Or does Rain-X make the INSIDES of your car windows all foggy and oily? I can’t quite figure out how putting something on the outside of your windows makes the insides like that, but this happens to me. Is it me? Am I fogging up my own windows? Or is it the Rain-X?
Comment from Sara
Time: November 29, 2006, 8:18 am
Love this stuff! It’s helpful if you have a vehicle like I once had where the wipers would randomly decide not to work. It has probably saved me from numerous accidents.
Comment from D
Time: November 29, 2006, 9:02 am
One of my local car wash chains has a RainX option. Five bucks for a sparkly clean car and a RainX treatment. Great deal.
Comment from Linda
Time: November 29, 2006, 10:14 am
Comment from Audrey
Time: November 29, 2006, 10:49 am
I have wanted to try this, but have heard that you can’t get it off your windshield later. (Perhaps that’s not a problem, if there’s no need to take it off?) I was worried it would start to build up or something. Have you used this over a long period of time? Notice any buildup? Any info would be appreciated.
Comment from Jenny J.
Time: November 29, 2006, 10:58 am
They also make a product for the insides of your windows to keep moisture from collecting on the inside. Ever since I was rear ended last year, my hatch back doesn’t seal properly. In the winter, the windows are pre-steamed when I get in the car. I used to have to keep a squeegee (sp?) handy so that I didn’t have to wait 10 years for the de-fogger to take care of it, but now I have the Rain-X for the inside of the windows. It works great!
Comment from paige
Time: November 29, 2006, 1:59 pm
Erin - I had that problem with Rain-X. When I first purchased my car the previous owner had Rain-Xed the windshield…I could not WAIT for it to wear off! Whenever it rained, the water would definitely bead up, but there was also this weird hazy film that came with it. It didn’t appear to be on the inside either, as I couldn’t wipe it off. It was more of a visual hazard (for me at least) than the downpour of rain.
Comment from Erin
Time: November 29, 2006, 2:24 pm
Armor all my car? Nonsense! What on earth would I want with a shiny clean car? (oh to have a shiny clean car! Oh! I wish I could…)
Unfortunately because I really liked the beading effect of the Rain-X (despite that watching it bead up on the windshield was tremendously entertaining yet awfully destracting while I drove), I’m afraid it was the Rain-X. It happened in my husband’s car, too, after Rain-X treatment. He denies the whole fog effect though, as he prefers to think it’s just his total HOTNESS which fogs his windows. Keep dreaming, boy.
Comment from jaime
Time: November 30, 2006, 8:00 am
I buy windshield wiper fluid that already has Rain-X in it. Saves me the hassle of doing it myself!
Comment from Jen
Time: December 1, 2006, 8:24 am
Actually the haze on the inside of windows is from off-gassing of the materials in the car. Mmmm, smell that toxic new car smell.
Comment from Donna
Time: December 4, 2006, 6:09 am
Jen is right, that’s what is on the inside of your windshield, products from the off gassing of the plastics in the car, dash, seats, armourall, etc.
I am just wondering though, has JB tried the Rain X on the inside of his scuba mask? I wonder if it would prevent fog on it? I’ve got a real problem with fog in my mask.
Comment from Linda
Time: December 4, 2006, 12:08 pm
“I tried Rain-x early on and the smell about tox’d me. This is what I use now and it has never failed me. One application per dive. I rub it on the mask lens the night before and then buff it out in the morning prior to the dive.”
Comment from Heidi
Time: December 8, 2006, 4:26 pm
And don’t stop with the windshield. Those nasty little water drops make visibility through all the windows a nightmare thanks to Seattle traffic and darkness at 4pm. Those suckers fly right off the side windows with a little RainX.
Comment from Judy
Time: December 11, 2006, 2:33 pm
Rub this in your shower and the water just drips right off. Don’t have to try to clean the soap scum and hard water stains off nearly as often!
Comment from xmzcvunraj
Time: July 3, 2007, 12:35 pm
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! yqhzpoghjsj
Comment from CheatedJMV
Time: November 14, 2007, 6:16 am
I had Rain X put on with my car wash and now I have a film the wipers just smears on my windshield, making visibility poor. Its a hazardous product in my opinion. Does anyone know how to get it off? Please advise.
Comment from Sanjay
Time: June 11, 2008, 8:58 pm
1. It cleans right off with isopropyl alcohol. You can get it at your local pharmacy and its called rubbing alcohol (get the 90-93%). This is the same thing a nurse rubs on your skin to setrilize before the shot. It is quite safe on almost all things and is also used on newborns to sterilize the umblical cord stump.
2. The haze when the wipers are in operation is a problem with this water repellent. A minor issue when compared to the visibility gain.
3. The buildup or haze inside the glass is not because of the Rain-X on the outside. It is from the outside pollution coming in through the vents. If your car does not have the dash (activated carbon) filter you’ll see this. This is worse if the driver is a smoker. It is really hard to clean this fine grease-like film. Regular windex takes several rounds and is painful. I’ve had to use acetone once. If you ever use acetone make sure you don’t touch the glue that sticks the rear-view mirror.
Good Luck !
Comment from George Bodden
Time: June 20, 2008, 7:42 am
Ever tried Rain Magic?
Write a comment