As you guys know here I'm always looking for better detailing products, but one thing I had never seen an alternative to was Rain-X. So a few months ago I started looking and came across aquapel. It works about the same except it lasts months instead of days, so I gave it a try, and was very impressed.

...actually put the two up head to head, took video, and posted a review:
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/04...-x-vs-aquapel/

Has anyone else tried it? I only found reports in a few forums so I don't think it is very common.

Just another thing to add to my long list of detailing products!

 

I've used it. The first treatment I put on like back in November made it all winter. I just put the 2nd one on last week.

 

There used to be a similar product called "STP Vision Blade" that was available for cheap at Wal-Mart but it has been long discontinued. Reviews of the time claimed it lasted longer than the then dealer-applied Aquapel. But both Aquapel and Vision blade were supposedly made by PPG.

 

knew about the product, impossible for me to locate for local or online purchase... Gave up about a year ago...

Where can you buy this stuff ?!! (Nevermind -Found your link on your review link above... Gonna order some right now!)

 

Yep, I have used it as well. Nice review.

 

I updated the review with a photo taken during yesterday's wash. It's a little more night-and-day.

 

Josh...saw on your page the pic taken at Purgatory Chasm..my office is in the next town over....was that a sort of 'Mini's on Parade' sort of deal? when is ther next one? or was that just an impromptu Mini get together?

 

The key to Rain-X is to not use the wipers. The wipers seem to rapidly remove Rain-X

 

Rain-X also destroys wipers. Ok, maybe not destroy but it does reduce their lifetime. Has anyone noticed that with Aquapel? I subscribe to an all you want car wash and they offer putting that on. I've been very hesitant since Rain-X eats wipers. Ok, maybe not eats them but ...

 

Unless you can somehow slighshort yourself to 60mph instantly and never drop speed, which is pretty much impossible with traffic, you will need to use your wipers...and you should still use them at speed too with rainx, you just don't need them running as fast.

I've never experienced any abnormal wiper wear. My last set were OK after a year and a half but I replaced them anyway in october.

That was organized by the RI mini guys, we drove around and hiked it. I have a lot more photos of that but still haven't posted many of them. The events are usually organized in mini2 around here.

 

Josh....let me know if there is another 'mini on parade' up at Purgatory

 

How did you prep the wind screen? Did you clay it or use some thing else? I purchased some Aquapel last winter and have just been waiting to have a chance to really clean the windows.

 

The windshield was just replaced, and it was cleaned just before applying with Z1.

 

I've used RainX for years. To extend the life of a RainX coating indefinitely, just use their washer-fluid additive. It's inexpensive, widely available. and makes RainX work like new roughly forever.

I re-apply RainX once/year, mainly to thoroughly clean the glass (it has a lot of alcohol in it), and that's in Oregon, where we get a lot of use from our wipers.