Slicker Is Quicker!
Written: May 25 '08 (Updated May 25 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: This will do exactly what it says.
Cons: A little bit on the pricey side.
The Bottom Line: This is an excellent product and will also help in your driving during rainstorms.
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| badbonz0007's Full Review: Rain-X Glass Treatment and Cleaner |
When they came out with this product years ago, I was pretty skeptical about using it. I did not know whether or not it would damage the windshield wipers. But, after testing it on half my windshield I saw the difference immediately. It improved my driving visibility drastically while it was raining. I also noticed that I did not have to use my windshield wipers as much. During the winter when I used it, I noticed it was a lot easier to scrape off the ice and frost off, when the time came to do so. When this first came out I got a small 3 1/2 ounce bottle of this stuff for only a couple of dollars. But since then, I have used it up and purchased the big 16 ounce spray bottle for just a little under $10 with tax. I purchased mine at a car wash; I have noticed that any discount store or automotive store and detailers will have a variety of different size bottles.
Description
If you are trying to find this spray for your windshield you can find it in any automotive parts department in any discount store or at any detailers in your local neighborhood. It will usually come in a 3 1/2 ounce bottle, or any variety of sizes up to the 16 ounce big spray bottle. You will be able to recognize it because of its bright yellow container with the black spray head. When you first spray it on you will notice that the liquid is clear, and will dry to a slight white fog. According to the Rain-X company this product is made with a polymer that will fill the un-seen (tiny pores) pits in your glass with hydrophobic molecules. This puts a very thin shield that you cannot see after you wipe it off. After you see this just take a soft cloth and wipe it down. This will take just a few minutes to dry, once you wipe it off you will not notice any difference until it rains. This also has a distinct alcohol or vinegar smell of some kind. And, as long as you can get used to that smell or get by it, you will be doing okay. This also will work very well on your side view mirrors and back windows of the car; you can also use them on your headlights. If you are still little confused on what I'm talking about, this is like putting wax on your window or if you put water into a Teflon coated frying pan once the pan heats up, you will notice the water comes to a form a droplet and move around a lot, until it is gone. Rain-X will eliminate any friction on your windshield while you are driving so that the water can run off as quickly as possible.
How to Use
I know that you are probably wondering, how hard is this to apply, you do not have to worry it does not take an engineer to learn how to use the stuff. The main thing is that you have a clean and dry and windshield when you apply this stuff so I would recommend that you wash and dry your windows completely. Plus, they recommend that it be above 40° before you use this. Then after your vehicle is dry, just spray this stuff on let it dry then wipe it off. Pretty simple huh?
Experience
I have used this for a few years and have been very satisfied with all of the results. We live in Indiana where we get quite a bit of rain, but not as much as in Florida. We have a timeshare in Florida, so it is nice to be able to try this out in two different climates. When there is some rain and snow basically, it will all bead up and roll off of your windshield. The moisture from the fog does not stick, and the snow and ice is very easy to scrape off when you apply this to your windshield. It is very nice on the expressway, because if it is barely raining and you have to run your wipers at the intermediate speed this will eliminate you from doing that. You will not have to run them at all. I have had trucks fly by the side of us and spray mud and it just spewed garbage all over the windshield, and it just rolls off the front of the windshield. It also will help if you are driving in a very bug friendly area. Sometimes, they will hit so hard that they will stick, then you will have to retreat your windshield with Rain-X. But most of the time, they just hit so hard they fly off the windshield, and they do not stick to the window. I did happen to suggest this to my daughter, because her windshield wipers were broken and she did not have the money to fix them. So she went and bought herself a little bottle and this bought her a little bit of time until she had the money to fix her wipers. I did notice that if it is raining real hard you will still have to use your wipers. But you can set them on the lower speed instead of a high-speed. This also will give you an extra one or two seconds of more visibility compared while you are in a downpour, which will also help in your driving. I suggested this to a friend of mine, who rides a motorcycle a lot. He tried it on his helmet, on the clear shield on the front of his helmet, and he told me that it worked wonders when he was stuck in a storm. He is able to get to safety because of that suggestion. If you are not careful some chemicals that you spray on a car or windshield will eat the paint away, but I have not noticed this with this stuff.
Lasting Ability
The first time that people use this, they think that this will last forever, but, this stuff you will still have to apply every so often. Every time you use the windshield wipers just a miniscule amount of Rain-X will be wiped off of the windshield. This product will only last a month or two on any normal car, but it is hard to put this on in the winter, because it says that you have to do it when it is above 40°, but here in Indiana, a lot of times during the winter we are lucky to see 40°. But, not to worry, if you buy the 16 ounce bottle it will probably last you a couple of years
Prices & Other Products
This particular 16 ounce bottle will cost you just a shade under $10 depending on what tax you have to pay. If you prefer the 3 1/2 ounce bottle that you can keep in your glove box that will only run you three dollars plus tax. There are other products available that are made by the Rain-X company. These products include a glass cleaner, 2-in-1 glass cleaner with rain repellent, anti-fog wipers with glass cleaner, de-icing spray, windshield washer fluids, waxes, washes, and bug and tar removal. They also have a deicer window wash that comes in a 1 gallon jug, and latitude wiper blades, and weather beater wiper blades.
Conclusion
I have tried several different products, but none work as well as this one. If you have several vehicles, this product can get quite pricey. But, if you only have one or two cars, this bottle should last you one or two years. This is not a bad price to pay for a little bit of extra safety. If you do not believe me, go ahead and try the little bottle first. I do believe that you will be happy with the end result.
Recommended:
Yes
Ease of Application: Good; takes little time to apply
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Epinions.com ID:
badbonz0007
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Member: Harold
Location: Munster, IN United States
Reviews written: 621
Trusted by: 433 members
About Me:
I am an aspiring writer working on my first novel.
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