Buggernuts

Hello fellow 3G TL owners,

I have looked at the many threads on the rear roof spoilers, but do they have any value other than aesthetics? I carry a squeegee in my car all the time so if there's a rainstorm I can clear the rear window off. I have tried Rain-X and also wax, but it seems like, even on the highway, that the water just sits there without moving. Do any of the add-on spoilers assist with creating airflow down the rear window to help clear it off? If so, which style seems to work the best?

Also, it is "normal" for the 3rd brake light to reflect/diffuse into the middle of the window? I'll try to get a picture of it when it's dark, but it seems rather bright. The 3rd brake light is tight up against the glass, as is the seal around it, so I'm assuming that it's just the design. I've mainly had hatchbacks, so I may not be used to this.

Buggernuts

Poke poke poke. Any opinions on the aforementioned questions?

cu2wagon

I'll go out on a limb and suggest that it's merely for aesthetics.

Although, I suppose if you have issues with rain on the window *without* a roof spoiler, then adding one couldn't really make it any worse but does have the possibility of making it some marginal amount better.

But mostly for looks.

thoiboi

before you waxed and rainx the rear windshield, did you claybar it?

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Even in warm weather, if I turn on my rear window defogger, then rain water and morning condensation evaporate quickly.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

You've got to be the first to bring up rear windows spoilers affecting rear windows in the rain - wow, I never even thought about that!
Can't say for sure without testing but since the rear window spoiler affects air flow, I'd say it does affect rain on the rear window - not sure by how much or if any at all. Probably negligible. Again, most people probably haven't thought about it.

As for the 3rd brake light leak, it usually happens when the cover is removed to tint the rear window as the seal is not longer tight against the window.
The fixes I've seen include placing foam adhesive around the seal to close the gap - I tried it myself but hated how you could see the foam from outside the car.
Another fix I've seen is to stuff the front of the cover with something which pushes the cover up against the glass tighter. Someone used chop sticks.

thoiboi

Buggernuts

Yup. Did the whole shebang. It's just amazing how the water just stays in place. I normally hit 75mph on the way to work, and the airflow back there is absolutely perfect as far as preserving the water placement.

I guess I'll just have to get a supercharger so that I can apply more G's and force the water to roll down.

Buggernuts

Thank you for the information and suggestions. I just figured it was a common thing. I may get a piece of wood and see if I can carve out a similar shape and make it only half of the width of the window and see if there's a difference. You know, for science!

As for the 3rd brake light, it's definitely tight up against the glass. The rubber edging is in surprisingly good shape, which makes me believe it was garage kept most of the time. I don't have a car-friendly garage (too much junk), but my place of work has parking garages, so for 5 out of 7 days it's in the shade. I may wedge the brake pedal in place and try out different options on the wedging, starting with toothpicks before graduating to chopsticks and possibly duct tape, although chopsticks would be rather apropos. (looking at you @thoiboi)

cu2wagon

I'm no fluid dynamicist, but I think that a true spoiler may not help with your rain problem. What you may find you need is the opposite, some vortex generators.

If you're doing science you might fabbing some of them up for the other half of the window in your half spoiler thesis.

horseshoez

iTrader: (2)

Why not just use your rear window defogger; it works real well.

thoiboi

Or just drive in reverse for a bit