Those of you who drive your Jeep in a world filled with bugs may appreciate this post. Treating your windshield with Rain-X may significantly cut down your bug splatters. How? Great question.
Rain-X fills in the micro irregularities in the surface of the glass, effectively (I hypothesize) reducing the coefficient of friction of your windshield. This reduced friction causes more bugs to "bounce" off your windshield rather than "splat" on it. It works best on lower mass bugs, but will substantially reduce the mess created by large bugs such as dragon flies.
Next time you are at an auto parts store, give it a try and see what you think. It works amazingly well for me here in North Carolina. In the summer months, I treat my windshield once a month and I would estimate it cuts down on 80% of the bug splats.
You couldn't pay me to use that crap. Used on the windshield it smears when it rains. Used as washer fluid it plugs up the JK spray nozzles and they have to be blown out. Just say NO to Rain-x
(nothing personal man, just hate that crap... maybe it's good for bugs though?)
Just to be clear, I am talking about the hand applied rain-x, not the washer fluid. For what it is worth, I have used Rain-x ever since it was first introduced, and have never had any issues whatsoever. Wipe it on with a small scrap of cloth, let it dry to a haze, and then polish it off with a clean micro fiber towel. Not sure why it doesn't work as advertised for you.
Definitely no offense taken! A variety of opinions are usually valuable.
You couldn't pay me to use that crap. Used on the windshield it smears when it rains. Used as washer fluid it plugs up the JK spray nozzles and they have to be blown out. Just say NO to Rain-x
My first experience with Rain X was similar to Joe's. The windshield was hazey and it didn't repel squat!!
Couple years later I tried again. What I had learned was that your glass must be extremely clean prior to applying the Rain X. Like, clean the glass until you think it's clean, and then clean it some more!
I find plain old classic windex works best. None of the newer specialty blend windex crap, just the original kind.
I treated my windows almost like I was waxing them, buffing them out when they were clean and dry with a dry paper towel.
Then did the Rain X application. Worked like a champ. That was on my 95 Expoder. Never tried it on my 04 Endeavor, nor the Jeep yet. I used Rain X fluid for many years without issues, but not in the Jeep yet.
I'm sure the Rain X application works well as advertised, I'm just not sure it's worth the effort to apply it properly, hence the reason I haven't done it since my 95 Exploder!
Just don't EVER use the Rain-X washer fluid in the gallon jugs. I guarantee it will plug up your sprayers. The first question my dealer asked when I brought it in to get blown out was, "did you use Rain-X?"
I am a huge advocate for the stuff too. Works great. You have to apply it right to get it to work correctly.
-Apply to a very clean windshield
-Make small swirls with the stuff on a clean rag
-Do the same for the other side
-Let it haze (about 3 or 4 mins)
-Do it again so you cover any spots you might have missed
-Get another clean rag and wipe it off (do not use the hose off method)
And make sure all this is done in the shade, out of the direct sun.
I've used Rain-X hand applications and washer fluid on my last two cars. I love it and would drive without it. I can't imagine that a Jeep would be any different.
As a matter of fact, I'm leaving on a long trip to visit the kids tomorrow. I got my Jeep yesterday. I will apply Rain-X tonight for the first time prior to the trip.
To get the cleanest windshield possible, use Bon Ami. It's a powder in a can. I apply it to a clean wet sponge and then wash the windshield with the sponge. It gets off the toughest crap with ease. It's a like $0.89 a can is the best part. The tag line is "Hasn't scratched yet" and it works wonders for me over the years.
To get the cleanest windshield possible, use Bon Ami. It's a powder in a can. I apply it to a clean wet sponge and then wash the windshield with the sponge. It gets off the toughest crap with ease. It's a like $0.89 a can is the best part. The tag line is "Hasn't scratched yet" and it works wonders for me over the years.
I used Rainx washer fluid in some of my other cars. I never had a problem with it. But at the same time, they were probably mixed with some of the regular blue stuff.
We just took a trip up into British Columbia along Hwy 20 and off roads. We collected so many bugs we could hardly see through the windshield but the cure for that came from the sky; a good gully washing British Columbia rain! It worked wonders! - Ted
I might give it a try again based on HRDROCK's recommendation. Maybe I never got the windshield clean enough first because I always experienced smearing after application - irritatingly so.
I have a bottle of spray out in the garage.
I use it and have had excellent results. Read the directions. Most people think they know how to use something and really miss a step or two.
If it didnt work I dont believe it would still be around. To each his own but I am sold on it and will continue to use it. I just use purple washer fluid which is made to stand up at -20 but the Rain X is a necessity.
I have used rain-x for years. The first car I remember putting it on was a new '94 z-28.
I put the stuff on all the glass including the t-tops.
Fast forward 22 years and I am still using it.
What I have not done is use the windshield washer fluid for fear of what it may do to my soft top.
I've never tried my shower glass, will have to give that one a try.
But the small self applicant bottle has worked wonders on my previous cars and finally got around to putting in on the other day. Already been glad I did as it's rained two days in a row and barely had to use the wipers.
I agree with guy who said use Windex as the initial window cleaner before applying the Rain-X.
I've also noticed less bugs with Rain-X applied, but hard to know if it's that or just weather changes in the New York area. Nonetheless I love watching water bead up and roll off in rainy weather, it really has to be coming down before I have a need for wipers.
Also, Rain-X makes chipping ice off the glass easier. I put it on my Rigid E2 50inch bar (in winter) solely for this purpose...works like a charm!
Rain-X fluid may explain something that wrong with my TJ when I first bought it. The washer worked fine for the first day then plugged up. I took the reservoir out and dumped it and it was like blue snot. I washed it out and then filled it up with plain water, but the nozzles where plugged. Finally had to blow them out with the air nozzle hooked to the air compressor. Took two tries to get it all out.
Mentioned to the salesman a little later and he had no idea what could have caused it. Probably had Rain-x (or something) in there from the P.O. and then the dealer topped the washer bottle up with regular fluid.
Been using Rain-X fluid for years now and never an issue on 4 different cars. I never mix the fluids either. Rain-X that you apply is awesome IF done right. But I find the fluid works just as well.
I knew it would, but the rain-X I applied before this trip helped tremendously. I was in a constant storm from Boston to Lake Charles, LA, on my way to Mobile.
I've used RainX for years. Applied mostly before long trips and for increased vision on motorcycle helmet face shields. It works, period. Now that I'm back in the Jeep family I'm going to apply before a trip this weekend in lovely humid as hell and full bugs Florida!
A cautionary note: Never apply Rain-X to a face shield on a helmet. It's a petroleum product and it will eat your face shield...as I was told by an Arai rep at Barber Motor Sports track on a race weekend.
I ride a Speed Triple and Nik-Wax is the product you want on a helmet face shield.
My son is the shop foreman (mechanic) at a large Hyundai dealer. He said he deals with clogged wipers on a daily basis, and it's not related to Rain-X specifically. It has to do with the use ...or, more accurately, the lack of use...of your washer.
He said he is constantly clearing "blue goop" out of washer systems because the car either sat too long, or the owner didn't use the washer enough. The washer solution separates...the solids sink to the bottom...and the thick stuff gets pumped through the nozzles and clogs them. It stands to reason that the more solids in a given solution, the greater this effect....so I can see that Rain-X could be generally more prone to clogging if not used frequently.
But if you use your washer (I'm a bit of a nut about it. I must have my windshield clean.) often, you won't have this problem. And it's not a mixing issue. It's just lack of use.
Which probably explains my good luck with Rain-X washer fluid. I've used it in my past two cars with never a problem. I'll use my washers at least 5 times in a given day...more on rainy days. I know I go through a gallon per month.
So I will continue to use it successfully as I have in the past.
My son is the shop foreman (mechanic) at a large Hyundai dealer. He said he deals with clogged wipers on a daily basis, and it's not related to Rain-X specifically. It has to do with the use ...or, more accurately, the lack of use...of your washer.
He said he is constantly clearing "blue goop" out of washer systems because the car either sat too long, or the owner didn't use the washer enough. The washer solution separates...the solids sink to the bottom...and the thick stuff gets pumped through the nozzles and clogs them. It stands to reason that the more solids in a given solution, the greater this effect....so I can see that Rain-X could be generally more prone to clogging if not used frequently.
But if you use your washer (I'm a bit of a nut about it. I must have my windshield clean.) often, you won't have this problem. And it's not a mixing issue. It's just lack of use.
Which probably explains my good luck with Rain-X washer fluid. I've used it in my past two cars with never a problem. I'll use my washers at least 5 times in a given day...more on rainy days. I know I go through a gallon per month.
So I will continue to use it successfully as I have in the past.
Not true, I used mine everyday and it still clogged in my Mazda. I believe the thicker then water formula that makes rain-x good is what clogs the the tubing, "Y" pipes and nozzles.
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