My Mini has the automatic wiper option. Would using Rain X on the windshield interfer with automatic wipers ablility to detect moisture? I don't see anything about this in the manual.

 

I've used rainx several times on my auto wiper equipped mini, and have had no ill effects. the auto function still works great.

 

rain-x shouldnt interfere with anything as it wipes on and buffs off. basically microscopically sealling the pores in the windshield so the water glides off.

 

The auto sensing wipers use infrared sensors to activate the wipers. Had auto sensing wipers on my 2007 MCS and used RainX all the time with no problems.

 

Thanks for the quick replies, everyone! I'll get out the Rain X. God knows we need it in the Seattle area.

 

I used rainx for a long time. Last year, I saw Aquapel on sale at Costco and bought some. It works about the same as rainx but uses another method to bond to the windshield. Instead of only lasting 2-4 weeks like rainx, it lasted 9+ months and is still working pretty well without a second application. I have recently seen it at some autoparts stores for about $10-12 per treatment. If you can get it from Costco when it is in stock, it is only $15 for 4 treatments.

 

+1 for AquaPel it is the only thing I use on all my cars. Last forever and works great for every piece of glass on the cars.

 

i've always used it with auto wiper (sadly without now)

think of this though. the sensor is gonna detect the moisture/drops over the "eye" if you put the rainX there it's probably going to wipe less. so if you want it to wipe more don't apply right over the eye.

that's always been my thought. which equaled less wiping in the winter due to the chemicals on the windscreen that create the dry wiping.

 

i'm sure aquapel is great but it seems like you can apply a LOT of rainX for that kind of money...plus i think i'm on the same bottle i bought years ago.

 

Yeah, but you will only apply once a year or so, and it will not begin to degrade immediately and streak after a couple weeks, like rainx. From what I've seen you could use one aquapel treatment to treat all the glass on the mini. The side windows will likely never have to be reapplied, while the windshield/hatch window might need a reapplication every year. Like other things on the car, it is a matter of choice. For instance, you could buy 5 times as much conventional oil for the price, but I will still stick with full synthetic.

 

Another use for Rain X that I picked up from one of these threads is to apply it to the back of your wheels when you are rotating your tires. It makes it much easier to keep/maintain the cleanliness in a place hard to get to.

 

One other use for RainX -- put some on the suction cups for your GPS/Radar Detector mounts -- makes 'em stay put.

 

http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/04...-x-vs-aquapel/

 

I looked for Aquapel at Costco today but didn't find any. I assumed it would be stocked somewhere near the wipers and the ShamWows...

 

That's where it usually is, but I have only seen it a few times. I think it is seasonal (or something like that). But I did just see it at autozone or schucks/oreilly a few weeks ago, at the higher price.

 

http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/04...-x-vs-aquapel/

unlinked so you can actually get there...

 

This link still doesn't work directly (at least for me for some reason)...but if you cut and paste into your browser you can get to the blog page with the discussion of the two products.

It is highly worth the effort...there is an excellent video of a side by side comparison of the two products over time.

Having used RainX myself in the past and no how frequently it has to be reapplied...I'm sold on the Aquapel based on this video.

Thanks for the posting!!

 

Gonna try that

 

This will get you to that comparison link:

http://www.sports.autoblog.com/2006/...udge-match%20/

 

Another +1 for Aquapel. I really don't like what happens to RainX after a little while. For me the wipers start to chatter and it leaves a black mark at the end of the wipers travel. Aquapel is FAR superior. My Costco has it for Four for $10.