Chemical reaction issue with Rain-X.

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ksJoe

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About 5 years ago, I had some de-icer fluid react with the rain-x and form a white greasy paste on the windshield. And the timing was horrible. I was driving into the sun, on a high accident street. With the sun hitting it, I couldn't see through the windshield. Luckily, it was more transparent when it was wet, so I kept the washer fluid spraying every couple seconds and made it back to the office without getting in an accident. Once back at the office, I used paper towels and rubbed the paste off. It came off ok, but took some firm rubbing.

Since then, I've not gotten anything other than the plain old blue stuff. And I test my washer fluid and rain-x for interactions before driving
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I've never seen anyone else talk about this kind of issue, so why did it happen to me?
 
I have only used Rain-X wiper fluid for years. If I remember correctly, the first time I used it mixed with the blue fluid it was not great. But, once it was only Rain-X in the reservoir it worked well. I had more problems with the stuff you apply on windshield clouding up the windshield. Also, the Rain-X wiper blades have been the best I have used so far. Just put them on this fall, so I hope they last. I also use the green summer Rain-X windshield washer fluid to do the final cleaning after washing my car. I don't have any idea why you had such problems.
 
Rain X is basically silicone fluid and alcohol. I have no idea what's in your washer fluid but therein lies the odd interaction.

A white greasy paste implies some sort of solid build up. I wonder what happens to Rain X when all the alcohol evaporates. Might the silicone emulsion turn solid?
 
Originally Posted By: TallPaul
Rain X smears and leaves a film on wife's Aerostar, but seems to work fine on my F150.
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Similar problem on my 95 BMW.

I read somewhere about a revised application technique that left rain-x on for hours before wiping it off and stated it did not smear and lasted longer. who knows?
 
Come to think of it, I haven't used the Rain X in the Aerostar in at least a year and still get some smearing, but much less since I washed down the windshield with rubbing alcohol.
 
I can't help but think perhaps it was applied a little too thick and/or not buffed completely off. It takes a LOT of buffing for me to get all vestiges of the product off. Then it works fine for me.
 
That could be it. Maybe I didn't get it all off. But it sure looked fine until the de-icer washer fluid hit it.

Just to be clear - it was the rain-x in the 4 oz bottle that is applied to the windshield (NOT the washer fluid type). I had put in on previously.

Then when driving I used the washer fluid (which was the deicer type), and THAT was when it turned white.

I haven't had that kind of problem since then. But sometimes it doesn't look like I'm getting it all off. Next time I may let it sit for a few hours like Russell suggested.
 
Originally Posted By: oilboy123
I like Rain-X for the most part. Even using it on all the non windshield glass is worth it.

Same here. I do have a similar problem with smearing also, but I believe it's from all the vehicle exhaust and such from traffic and being parked. I'm going to look into another clay bar someday.
 
Rain-X is like windshield heroin; if you don't keep using it you might be worse off than not having used it as it will tend to smear when the windshield goes thru 'withdrawl'. Since it's trying to decrease wetting the smoother the glass the better the result, so you'll notice less benefit on old, scratched windshields. I like the stuff a lot, apply it a couple of times a year on all windows on all the vehicles, and do the windshields as needed, sometimes monthly during the many rainy months that we have here in the Pacific NW.

It's nice to be able to see when others are pulling off of the road as their wipers can't keep up with heavy rain, and mine are on low.
 
I have been using the Orange stuff in the windshield washer bottle for maybe 10 years. I also use it in spray bottles for detailing the car and engine. I also use it on house windows exclusively. Once you use it and keep using it..there is nothing better.
 
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