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If you’ve ever wondered, “Does Rain-X work?”, we have you covered with this in-depth explainer on the magic of “The Invisible Windshield Wiper.”
What is Rain-X?
Chances are, when Howard Olfhausen was busy creating ultra-thin polymer coatings for military aircraft applications, he didn’t foresee a future where his product would become something of a household name. It was during a stint in the US Air Force that he discovered a need for improved visibility while planes were flying during inclement weather. This ultimately led to the creation of Rain-X, “The Invisible Windshield Wiper”, a product renowned for its ability to bead and repel water. But these days, most people are just interested in answering the “Does Rain-X Work?” question. Let’s find out.
Before we get started, you may be wondering, “What is Rain-X?” In a nutshell, it is a synthetic hydrophobic chemical cocktail that works astoundingly well on glass. That cocktail consists of – amongst other things – ethanol, isopropanol, and polydimethylsiloxanes, or PDMS for short.
So, How Does Rain-X Work?
Well, normally, water sticks to glass and spreads about randomly as anyone that has driven in the rain understands. Rain-X relies largely on the non-polar carbons in PDMS to react with polar water molecules, causing them to repel one another. By applying a thin layer of Rain-X between the glass of a windshield and rainwater, you end up with tightly balled-up droplets of H20 instead of a smeared mess.
So repellent is Rain-X to water that the company suggests you don’t even need windshield wipers. That is partially true as water that hits a Rain-X-treated windshield during a downpour wants to bead up and roll off the surface with ease. But in practice, this only works effectively at highway speeds. However, in concert with windshield wipers, the difference is dramatic. If you’ve ever flipped on the wipers only to be greeted by streaks, striations, and generally poor visibility, you know how irritating it can be – and dangerous – to drive with a windshield that won’t clear easily. This is where Rain-X comes in.
What is the Best Way to Apply Rain-X?
Although the company has since expanded into an array of car care products, the Original Glass Water Repellent is what put them on the map. These days it is sold in a squeeze bottle of liquid, aerosol can, and spray bottle format. Regardless of which style you purchase, the application is the same.
Step #1 Clean and Dry the Surface.
As long as the ambient temperature is 40 degrees or higher, you can go ahead with the application. For the liquid or spray version, squirt some Rain-X onto a dry cloth and wipe it onto the windshield in circular, overlapping motions. I must regretfully mention the renowned “wax on, wax off” guidance Mr. Miyagi gave to a young Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid.
Step #2 Allow the Film to Dry and Form a Slight Haze
Consider a second application for uniform coverage, and finally wipe off the haze with a dry cloth. The aerosol variant simplifies this process by spraying Rain-X directly onto the glass. Naturally, the company has gone even further by offering a 2-in-1 cleaning solution that sprays on, cleans the glass, AND applies Rain-X all at the same time.
To fully nerd out on the joys of synthetic hydrophobic substances, finish up with a set of Rain-X wiper blades that apply the magic solution while wiping! They’re one of our favorite aftermarket windshield wipers.
So, Does Rain-X Work?
The answer is yes, like a charm. Along with repelling water and causing it to bead up and roll off, Rain-X repels ice and snow. Per the company, it also makes cleaning up bugs and road tar easier. One of the ancillary benefits is that after application, your wipers will tend to slip back and forth across the windshield with nary a squeak.
This repellency also works wonders on the rest of your vehicle’s exterior glass surfaces. Particularly rear windshields that don’t have a wiper – like on a sedan – and of course, side view mirrors.
How Long Does Rain-X Last?
The caveats are few. Depending on weather and environmental conditions, an application of Rain-X is expected to last up to 3 months. Naturally, the more you run the wipers, the faster the Rain-X degrades as it’s literally being scraped away. Once it wears down, you’ll either need to re-apply or fuss around with cleaning off the remnants. Otherwise, a residue will form that actually degrades visibility.
Fortunately, with the wide variety of Rain-X Glass Water Repellent styles and sizes, it’s easy to keep some on hand once you’ve committed to using it. Along with the original Rain-X formula, wiper blades, and 2-in-1 glass cleaning solution, the company offers car care products like a wash with Rain-X baked-in and waxing options that would provide a good counterpoint to these top car cleaning kits.
There is also a Rain-X additive, not to be confused with fuel additives, you can pour into existing windshield washer fluid – an essential aspect of car maintenance – plastic headlight treatment products, and glass anti-fog sprays for interior windows. But even if you just stick with the original Rain-X water repellent, you’ll likely be happy you did – it currently averages 4.6 stars over more than 11,000 Amazon reviews.
