Curious if you can rain-x lamps? Initially I thought about doing my driving lights, because every time I wash my car, the lights and lenses are filthy... If they were cleaned, then had a good coat of rain-x, I could see them being clean lot longer, but I don't know if it can stand up to the heat of big lights/lamps.

Also, does anyone Rain-x their headlights?

 

Are they glass or polycarbonate (plastic)? I had the 'brilliant' idea to use rain-x on my motorcycle windshield thinking with no wiperblade the rain would just wash away. Well it did, but it also slowly destroyed the plastic to the point I had to get a new windshield. Caused small, spider-web like lines in the shield.
If it's glass I wouldn't think the heat would hurt it but am not sure on that.

 

I use the pre-mixed rain-x that comes in the gallon bottle. It

 

Also, can you put Rain-X on the glass sunroof?

 

I've put Rain-X on my headlights twice already, so far, they haven't melted.
Now you've got me concerned.

 

It what? I'm on the edge of my seat seeking wisdom that never arrived.

 

I've used RainX on plastic headlights and tail-lights for years, with no problems (and it keeps the headlights cleaner).

If window solution caused problems with the headlights, the headlight washers on HID-equipped cars would be causing real issues...

 

Sorry something happened…

It’s diluted down some from the full strength stuff. I use it in both headlight and windshield reservoirs. It works great to keep the spots off after a rain storm.

I’ve never had a problem with rain-x on glass and the MINI headlights are glass.

 

Are you talking about Rain-X Windshield Treatment or Rain-X Washer Fluid? Two completlely different things. Windshield treatment is polished on to the glass. It is a strong chemical so I don't think it is a good idea to apply it to anything plastic including the headlight covers, but driving light lenses are glass so they would be OK.
The washer fluid, of course, should be safe for anything.

 

The headlights on my '03 MCS are definitely not glass. They are plastic.

 

I had some concerns about it but tried it anyways. It didn't do any damage but I put on a very small quantity.
I didn't think it did much good anyways. Being winter and it rains a lot where I am, the headlights still get wet enough to keep it clean.

Whenever I buy gas, I just give the once over wipe of the headlights.

 

Normal lamps, or Xenons?

 

RainX works best if you first treat the glass (or plastic head- or tail-lights) with the windshield treatment, and then use the washer fluid to maintain it.

I've found that that when using just the treatment on my windshield, after a couple of months of use it becomes smeared by the wipers and no longer works well (time to re-apply).

However, if you use their washer fluid or their additive that goes in any washer fluid, the coating lasts almost forever - I now re-apply the treatment annually at the beginning of rainy season.

 

Sorry, I should have noted that I have the HID (xenon) lights.
However, I think both the HID and non-HID lights have the same
plastic cover over the actual lamps.

 

stupid dot laws require them not to be glass in america. Go to europe see any yellow lenses on cars? NOPE, why... THEY ARE GLASS. GOD I HATE AMERICA!

 

There are lots of other places where you could go and live...

 

I am pretty sure the lenses on my 04 MC are polycarbonate which is about 20 times more impact resistant compared to glass...which is a good thing considering how much of a magnet my car is for pebbles being kicked up from the road by cars/trucks infront of me...my right headlight has 2 deep little dings in the lens...if it was glass it would've shattered and I'd be off to the dealer

 

Rain-X was originally developed for use on Lexan jet aircraft windows, but at some point after its conversion to a consumer product it was relabeled as "do not use on plastic." Whether the product was reformulated or because some particular motorcycle windshields were just found to be incompatible is unknown.

That said, it has lasted a remarkably long time on my MCS HID headlight housings--over a year so far. On every other plastic I've used it on it has disappeared within months, including the MCS taillights. It is fantastic for preventing water spot stains on glass including the sunroof.

And I've had plenty of cars equipped with glass, DOT approved, aerodynamic headlamps as standard, so it was MINI's choice, not the government's fault. Your hate is misplaced.

 

RainX is fine with polycarbonate. On acrylics such as Plexiglas the alcohol in it can cause the plastic to craze and develop surface cracks quite a while after use.

 

 

 

So what's the final answer? Is the windshield washer Rain-X alright for the headlight washers or only for the windows? I assume the windshield treatment is a glass-only product.

 

I've used it on mine, although I have the XPel light covers over the lights. I haven't had any problems doing that with mine.

 

I've used RainX windshield treatment on the plastic headlight covers for years. Never had a problem and it does help rain to clean off debris easier.

 

With the RainX solution I think there's a (minimum) temperature consideration, but perhaps not for the washer solution?

For us northeastern folks (currently in a nor'easter, sitting in 7" of snow right now with another 8-10 6-8 in the forecast) it will come in handy driving around in the mess after.