Rain X
- Thread starter SurferRob
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Thai
Elite Member
What year is your 4runner?? All 4runners (3rd and 4th gen) come from factory with a hydrophobic coating on the windshield and front door windows. Using Rain-X or other chemicals may destroy this coating. Does this coating last forever? I don't know...i doubt it, but it does last a long time (at least a year or two in my experience).
Last edited:
Been using Rain-x window products in the washer tank along with their window cleaner. I only use their window cleaner for the outside of the glass though, I like Turtle wax's ClearView for inside glass(no additive and safe for tint) At highway speeds the water sheets off the glass so well you'll find yourself using the wipers at a much reduced rate.No reason to 'treat' the glass with Rain-X if you just use the cleaner for the glass and washer for the solvent tank.
leftyguns21
New member
i guess im all alone here...but i hate rain x. ill never use that stuff again. on anything. ive found that just applying a layer of wax on the windows does a better job then rain x anyway.
Have used it for years. Most difficult part is removing streaks. Lightly spray with water and buff with newspaper. I also find it's helpful to finish with a microfiber cloth and an old t-shirt.
Once you get a couple of coats on, then I just use the Rain-X windshield washer fluid instead of Windex. Cuts grime and leaves a fresh coat of Rain-X. Does such a good job that I haven't had to use the windshield wipers in years.
Once you get a couple of coats on, then I just use the Rain-X windshield washer fluid instead of Windex. Cuts grime and leaves a fresh coat of Rain-X. Does such a good job that I haven't had to use the windshield wipers in years.
Uneek
Super Moderator
I used it on my other cars, but not the 4Runner. It's great the first week or two when it's applied, you literally don't need the wipers and it's fun just sitting in the car watching the water roll right off the glass.
After a while when the application wears out, water starts to form bigger beads and sheet a little bit, it hampers your vision especially if there is dirt (pollen or dust) on the glass. While the windshield is ok, because you have wipers, their effectiveness streaks a bit because the glass is semi slick. And it's terrible once the glass gets dirty, hosing the glass doesn't fix it (where on a non-Rain-X'ed window it come clean). I think Rain-X attracts dirt.
I say Rain-X is great as long as you keep up with the application and keep fresh coats of it on the glass. Otherwise, IMO, better to go without it.
As for applying it, I spray it on the glass and wipe down the whole glass. Then I take a dry towel and buff it until it's streak free. Usually, you can tell it's good because the glass is super slick and slippery.
Then there's this product, Aquapel. I would expect it to be the same as Rain-X. I want to give that a try, but not if it's like Rain-X and becomes a PITA to remove completely.
I'm going to try applying a coat of wax on the side glass this winter instead and see how that goes rather than use Rain-X. I would use Rain-X if I can figure out a way to completely remove it when winter is over. There are times when it always rains or it's foggy and misty and reapplying Rain-X isn't possible.
After a while when the application wears out, water starts to form bigger beads and sheet a little bit, it hampers your vision especially if there is dirt (pollen or dust) on the glass. While the windshield is ok, because you have wipers, their effectiveness streaks a bit because the glass is semi slick. And it's terrible once the glass gets dirty, hosing the glass doesn't fix it (where on a non-Rain-X'ed window it come clean). I think Rain-X attracts dirt.
I say Rain-X is great as long as you keep up with the application and keep fresh coats of it on the glass. Otherwise, IMO, better to go without it.
As for applying it, I spray it on the glass and wipe down the whole glass. Then I take a dry towel and buff it until it's streak free. Usually, you can tell it's good because the glass is super slick and slippery.
Then there's this product, Aquapel. I would expect it to be the same as Rain-X. I want to give that a try, but not if it's like Rain-X and becomes a PITA to remove completely.
I'm going to try applying a coat of wax on the side glass this winter instead and see how that goes rather than use Rain-X. I would use Rain-X if I can figure out a way to completely remove it when winter is over. There are times when it always rains or it's foggy and misty and reapplying Rain-X isn't possible.
leftyguns21 said:
I used to do the same thing. Problem is that the wax builds up on the wiper blades over time and then they don't work very well at clearing the glass.
As far as a glass cleaner, Invisible Glass by Stoner is AMAZING. I have used it for years, and its all we use at the firhouse for the trucks.
Ohh, and Rain-X is great, IMHO. I use it on all glass surfaces on all the cars.
B
Bigrupp
New member
I gotta agree with Bren583- Invisible Glass by Dr. Stoner is the best. Cleans the inside and out better than anything else I've tried. And in my experience the water beads up longer than when I used the Rain X. It's also easier to apply than the Rain X, no problems with streaking and all. My wife uses it through the whole house cause it works so good.
