Windshield, water's not beading
5th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: Ocean View VA
I used Rain-X on a Honda I had. Not only did it leave a haze, but at night the street lights had a terrible glare in the haze. Nothing would get it off my window, solvenets, soaps, powders, pads, nothing. I hated it! But it did repeal water just fine, only could see out worth a darn.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 19
From: Merrick, NY
I used Rain-X on a Honda I had. Not only did it leave a haze, but at night the street lights had a terrible glare in the haze. Nothing would get it off my window, solvenets, soaps, powders, pads, nothing. I hated it! But it did repeal water just fine, only could see out worth a darn.
you didnt buff it to perfection when you first applied it. it takes like a 1/2 hour to do this. it only takes like 5-7 minutes to get it appearing to be removed, but it is not at all. you need a good mf towel for it.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 784
Likes: 3
From: SE FL (Hell Disguised as Paradise)
I do not like RainX on the windshield but on all the other windows it is great. Especially when it comes to frost.
I find that if I drive a considerable amount in the rain with the wipers on it starts leaving black almost rubber like residue. Once this happens they start to chatter. That drives me crazy!!!!
I find that if I drive a considerable amount in the rain with the wipers on it starts leaving black almost rubber like residue. Once this happens they start to chatter. That drives me crazy!!!!
Get some glass polish (not cleaner) to completely clean the glass.
Then apply a coat of Aquapel. That should solve your issues.
For those that think aquapel costs more than rain-x: A $8 application of aquapel lasts a year. A $8 bottle of Rain-X lasts about 20 applications, but it only lasts about two weeks...total less than a year. Considering the effort and time of 20+ applications vs. just one, I see aquapel being much cheaper.
Then apply a coat of Aquapel. That should solve your issues.
For those that think aquapel costs more than rain-x: A $8 application of aquapel lasts a year. A $8 bottle of Rain-X lasts about 20 applications, but it only lasts about two weeks...total less than a year. Considering the effort and time of 20+ applications vs. just one, I see aquapel being much cheaper.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Get some glass polish (not cleaner) to completely clean the glass.
Then apply a coat of Aquapel. That should solve your issues.
For those that think aquapel costs more than rain-x: A $8 application of aquapel lasts a year. A $8 bottle of Rain-X lasts about 20 applications, but it only lasts about two weeks...total less than a year. Considering the effort and time of 20+ applications vs. just one, I see aquapel being much cheaper.
Then apply a coat of Aquapel. That should solve your issues.
For those that think aquapel costs more than rain-x: A $8 application of aquapel lasts a year. A $8 bottle of Rain-X lasts about 20 applications, but it only lasts about two weeks...total less than a year. Considering the effort and time of 20+ applications vs. just one, I see aquapel being much cheaper.
Having said that, I am intrigued by Aquapel. I don't want to become one of these crusty old men that only use 'product A' because we've always used 'product A' (not that there's anything wrong with crusty old men
).
I've used both the 1Z Einszett Glas Polish and the Zaino Z-12 Clear-View Glass Polish. I think the Einszett works the best, but smells like varnish and yak puke. The Zaino, in typical Zaino fashion, doesn't smell nearly as bad. Both are gritty, dry to a haze and are wiped off. One caution however, with the powdery dried polish it can get all over if used on the inside of your glass. You really shouldn't need it on the inside though.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 19
From: Merrick, NY
you have some issues if you use it inside your mini. dang 
I wonder if you can polish your glass too much or often? would be nice to get it super clear and perfect every year. Do those chemicals sort of etch things? i wouldnt know why they would smell unless they are caustic in some manor
I wonder if you can polish your glass too much or often? would be nice to get it super clear and perfect every year. Do those chemicals sort of etch things? i wouldnt know why they would smell unless they are caustic in some manor
I always have to 
wonder when people say rain-x lasts for monts. Most will say they don't use their wipers at all with it. In which case, yes, it won't get worn off by the wipers. But you HAVE to use your wipers. Both of these products don't help until you've reached full highway speeds. And I strongly doubt you have highways with no traffic straight from your house to every destination and some giant sling shot that instantly brings you to speed.
Even at full speed...it needs to be raining hard enough. Light rain will still need wipers at speed.
You must be one of the lucky ones here that lives in some part of the country where you don't get much weather, and you car stays clean for weeks. But then I have to wonder why do the extra effort of a windshield treatment in the first place?
wonder when people say rain-x lasts for monts. Most will say they don't use their wipers at all with it. In which case, yes, it won't get worn off by the wipers. But you HAVE to use your wipers. Both of these products don't help until you've reached full highway speeds. And I strongly doubt you have highways with no traffic straight from your house to every destination and some giant sling shot that instantly brings you to speed.Even at full speed...it needs to be raining hard enough. Light rain will still need wipers at speed.
You must be one of the lucky ones here that lives in some part of the country where you don't get much weather, and you car stays clean for weeks. But then I have to wonder why do the extra effort of a windshield treatment in the first place?
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 1
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Thanks for the suggestions... I bought the Stoners Invisible Glass, in a spray can (they also had the liquid spray, is there a difference?)...
Well, after washing the windshield and applying Stoners to the passenger side four times, then waiting until the rain came back, the result was the same.
I did try claying/detail spray the driver side and it did bead, but only lasted until many uses of the wiper washed it away.
I also waxed a small area and it bead, but the beads were small, refracting light too much. Again, it wore off after many uses of the wipers.
So, the sample pic below, the right side is how my 'view' looks in the rain even in light sprinkle; with the old windshield it looked like the left. Using the top two speeds of the wiper helps, but not ideal to my satisfaction. I hope whatever is on my PPG windshield wears off!... again, I prefer not to use Rain-X.
Well, after washing the windshield and applying Stoners to the passenger side four times, then waiting until the rain came back, the result was the same.
I did try claying/detail spray the driver side and it did bead, but only lasted until many uses of the wiper washed it away.
I also waxed a small area and it bead, but the beads were small, refracting light too much. Again, it wore off after many uses of the wipers.
So, the sample pic below, the right side is how my 'view' looks in the rain even in light sprinkle; with the old windshield it looked like the left. Using the top two speeds of the wiper helps, but not ideal to my satisfaction. I hope whatever is on my PPG windshield wears off!... again, I prefer not to use Rain-X.
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4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Went back to the glass shop, they said all their glass is untreated, therefore the water doesn't bead. I had him water down another glass (KY brand), it looked like mine. The guy said maybe the dealership put something on it, I doubt this since I'm sure I would had to have paid for it; or said that it might have came like that from the factory.
Oh, just to clarify that the sample photo I posted, it wasn't from my car, but that's how it looks when water's on it. I had the wiper on full speed (I don't even recall ever using this speed in 4 yrs ownership) during night freeway driving in a medium rain storm over the weekend, it was difficult; in comparison to my old windshield, I just used the slowest speed and was motoring.
I'll try some of the other suggestions posted. Then try Aquapel. Maybe I just need to cake some wax on... lol.
Oh, just to clarify that the sample photo I posted, it wasn't from my car, but that's how it looks when water's on it. I had the wiper on full speed (I don't even recall ever using this speed in 4 yrs ownership) during night freeway driving in a medium rain storm over the weekend, it was difficult; in comparison to my old windshield, I just used the slowest speed and was motoring.
I'll try some of the other suggestions posted. Then try Aquapel. Maybe I just need to cake some wax on... lol.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 19
From: Merrick, NY
even when i wash my car, no water besides a few tiny beads here and there sticks to it. I think you really need to have a pure surface for rainx to work right, then super buff it for a while with a lot of pressure to make it not get hazy later on.
aquapel is something to look into, but not only does it cost more but it requires shipping and handling as it is not sold locally.
aquapel is something to look into, but not only does it cost more but it requires shipping and handling as it is not sold locally.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
I always have to wonder when people say rain-x lasts for monts. Most will say they don't use their wipers at all with it. In which case, yes, it won't get worn off by the wipers. But you HAVE to use your wipers. Both of these products don't help until you've reached full highway speeds. And I strongly doubt you have highways with no traffic straight from your house to every destination and some giant sling shot that instantly brings you to speed.
Even at full speed...it needs to be raining hard enough. Light rain will still need wipers at speed.
You must be one of the lucky ones here that lives in some part of the country where you don't get much weather, and you car stays clean for weeks. But then I have to wonder why do the extra effort of a windshield treatment in the first place?
wonder when people say rain-x lasts for monts. Most will say they don't use their wipers at all with it. In which case, yes, it won't get worn off by the wipers. But you HAVE to use your wipers. Both of these products don't help until you've reached full highway speeds. And I strongly doubt you have highways with no traffic straight from your house to every destination and some giant sling shot that instantly brings you to speed.Even at full speed...it needs to be raining hard enough. Light rain will still need wipers at speed.
You must be one of the lucky ones here that lives in some part of the country where you don't get much weather, and you car stays clean for weeks. But then I have to wonder why do the extra effort of a windshield treatment in the first place?
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,285
Likes: 19
From: Merrick, NY
I have noticed that rainx doesnt work when you are behind crappy suv's and trucks that spew that mist and unclean water on the window. open road driving with light rain flies off the car. Cleanliness is key to the action of all of these things.
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