Has anyone used Rain-x on the rear windshield of their cabrio? I thought it might be a good idea, as water "sticks" to it and there is no wiper, of course.
Just noticed this last night, driving home in a downpour.

 

I use it on all external glass and reapply it every couple of months.

 

Aquapel is another great alternative. Both work and are a great idea for all exterior glass.

 

Personally, I hate Rain-X. It leaves a nasty haze all over the window(s). But I've heard that if you ignore the instructions and wipe it off immediately after you apply it, it doesn't leave the haze. I have no idea how well that works, but just a heads up if you've never used it before.

 

I used Rain-x for years with no problems. Sounds like you used too much. Just make sure you wipe off the haze with a wet paper towel and really buff it out.

I have now switched to aquapel as it seems to stand up better in the summer than the rain-x did.

 

I did use Aquapel on the GP rear glass (no wiper, like a convertible); sadly, it didn't help much to improve wet road visibility.

 

What's RainX supposed to do anyway? Make the water run off the glass easier like it's oiled or something? In AZ it doesn't rain enuf to know, I bet they don't sell much of that stuff.

 

With Aquapel on the front glass, I've seen heavy rain simply blow off the glass due to the cars movement through the air, with no need for wipers.
Rain-X didn't work so well for me - at least, it lasts such a short time so I didn't see if it can ever work well. While Aquapel was still working well after a few months.

On the other hand, I did find that the products made the glass a bit more smeary when I did use wipers, so I stopped using them - maybe with the coating, you're not supposed to use wipers at all any more!


There's info on my friends MINI blog, too:
http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/04...-x-vs-aquapel/

 

I just extend Prima Epic coverage to the front and rear windows during my semi-annual major detailing. It seems to perform a similar function with the rain drops and I haven't noticed any real smearing while driving in the rain. The wipers are unnecessary in light precip.

 

I find Aquapel give less of the fine mist haze on cool mornings compared to Rain-X.
It seems to last longer, too.
Having said that, If I were to use Rain-X anywhere, it would be on the
rear window (I don't have a cabrio, so the rear wiper deals with the mist)
rather than the sides and front, where I'd really prefer Aquapel or nothing.

 

rain x hasn't made much of a difference for me. i use the cleaner/squeegee at fill ups then wipe off any excess. i wash the car weekly so between the two, i'm usually pretty good. overall, in wet conditions i probably don't use the rear view as oppossed to the driver's and passenger's. i'll try aquapel...there's gotta be something better out there!

 

Simone had her first bath yesterday. I had used the rain X on the 08 MCS and it seemed to work really well, especially at keeping the rear window cleaner a little longer here in the Pacific northwest. So keeping with that idea I lovingly applied it to Simone's front and rear, and also the driver's side window.

 

I'm bringing back this old thread for those who use Aquapel Applicator Pack. Normally on their web site each applicator is $10, and the best I've seen it at the local auto store was $8, however this past weekend Costco had a four pack for... $2.50 with no limit on how many you can pick up. I picked up 2 packages (8 applicators in total) for $5.

You can't beat that price, but I wonder why it's so cheap at Costco.

Just wanted to share this with everyone.