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Rain X Window Treatment

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
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MrAl
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Rain X Window Treatment

Post by MrAl »

Hello,

This is sort of related to my windshield wiper delay relay question posted elsewhere, but also sort of stands my itself as something interesting in and of itself so i made a new topic.

I was wondering if anyone tried this stuff yet, and if so, what they found out about it. The product goes by the name of "Rain-x". It is applied to the windshield and possibly other windows by rubbing some on with a cloth. It is considered a window 'treatment' product, and i also dont know how long one single application lasts.

Someone told me about this stuff, that it causes the rain hitting a windshield to bead up and so possibly you dont even need to turn the wipers on when it is raining while driving. They told me someone actually drove their car in the rain with this stuff when their wipers were broken and so where not working at all.

For me, it would be just handy during light rains but if it helped at other times that would be good too, but i dont know for sure exactly what it does. I know it makes the water bead up, but what i probably need is to hear form someone with some first hand experience with this stuff on their windshield after treatment and during various levels of rainfall while driving.

So if anyone has some experience with this stuff maybe they can shed some light on this and how well (or not) it works.
I got a small bottle to try but it has not rained since i applied it, just a little snow this morning.

Thanks.
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redc70
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Post by redc70 »

I've used it for years and used it extensively while stationed in England and Scotland. Amazing stuff! Not as good if driving slow but at say 50 mph and up you really don't need wipers. Rain just beads up and goes straight up the windshield. I use it on all my cars and all the windows. A hard frost just wipes away and I especially like it on the rear window. Usually lasts a month or so depending on the weather of course. Here in Texas where when it rains it pours it really comes in handy! Hope this helps...

shaker_chi
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Post by shaker_chi »

Does Rain X have the same effect as putting a coat of wax on the windshield?

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FLXC90
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Post by FLXC90 »

Been using it for years. (My wife is the queen of rain-x application!) In sudden Florida downpours it works great. Durability depends on climate, but as you notice effects reducing, reapply. Their new blades that treat the windshield intrigue me .
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matthew1
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Post by matthew1 »

Yep, works great. But as others have said, it's all in the re-application frequency. If you're an absent-minded driver, you'll remember you need to re-apply it exactly when you need it most.
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Covert
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Post by Covert »

Doesnt last too long in the winter months but deffo helps especailly in england where we see alot of rain , as above 50mph + and just drive without the wipers it just beads off, side windows it lasts for ages .....

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E Showell
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Post by E Showell »

Great stuff. Religiously apply it before any long highway trips. As noted by many, no wipers necessary above 50 mph.
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j-dawg
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Post by j-dawg »

shaker_chi wrote:Does Rain X have the same effect as putting a coat of wax on the windshield?
I've tried wax on the windshield and it just ended up a foggy mess for me. Had to claybar it off. Rain-X works better, but I find it only really helps at high speeds (as others have mentioned) and that it maybe hurts a bit when your'e using the wipers.

I could take it or leave it. I've got a bottle full but I don't know if I'll bother reapplying it when the current coating wears off.
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MadeInJapan
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Post by MadeInJapan »

I've used Rain X but I don't like the glare it gives you in the eyes from the road lights... best to have good working wipers.
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crlande
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Post by crlande »

Love the stuff, especially before I fixed the lifting wiper issue on the 850 because I did not have to use the wipers.

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