Does Rain-X make your windshield prone to chipping?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-04-2004, 12:24 PM
  #1  
Ex-Acura Service Manager
Thread Starter
 
Bluenote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD
Age: 58
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Does Rain-X make your windshield prone to chipping?

I know it sounds nutty, but let me explain.

Recently, on a music forum, there was a topic regarding Rain-X. A few people said they felt that Rain-X makes windshield glass soft & prone to small rock chips. I can't say I agree with this, but now that I am looking through a brand new windshield with no abrasions, I figured I'd get some feedback here.

My feeling is that unless someone does a test study by treating half of a windshield & using the untreated side as a control, there really is no way to prove this.

Hey, like they say-never trust a musician.

Any thoughts on this?
Old 12-04-2004, 12:32 PM
  #2  
Moderator
 
Street Spirit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 9,161
Likes: 0
Received 58 Likes on 34 Posts
Have never heard that. All Rain-X does is coat the glass and fill the micro-pores so that moisture does not fill the tiny pores in the glass and stick to it or freeze (in winter). It's basically the same idea as wax for the paint. Just a coating to help moisture sheet off.
Old 12-04-2004, 01:20 PM
  #3  
Racer
 
Vincent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: IL
Age: 37
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I doubt it but who knows... My glass is heavily chipped but I've never used RainX on it. And I don't know if previous owners may have either.
Old 12-05-2004, 11:42 AM
  #4  
Burning Brakes
 
SK2003TypeS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LI, NY - Sector 7G
Posts: 1,242
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't think so.
Old 12-05-2004, 03:38 PM
  #5  
teh Senior Instigator
 
CLpower's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Huntington Beach, CA -> Ashburn, VA -> Raleigh, NC -> Walnut Creek, CA
Age: 42
Posts: 44,090
Received 957 Likes on 328 Posts
rainx = wax basically
Old 12-06-2004, 03:01 AM
  #6  
Chloe @ 17mo
 
AsianRage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 3,931
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Does Rain-X harden the wipers and make it cracks?
Old 12-06-2004, 06:58 AM
  #7  
Ex-Acura Service Manager
Thread Starter
 
Bluenote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD
Age: 58
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Dunno, but it doesn't really matter in my case anyway. I replace them every 6 months. Which is kinda funny since I don't use 'em much with Rain-X on the windshield. The DC area is pretty hard on them with all the smog & crap on the roads
Old 12-07-2004, 09:22 AM
  #8  
Banned
 
RockBlocker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet USA
Age: 53
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I havent heard that one before either. Seems kind of odd. If you guys and girls want soemthing like Rain-x but works a whole lot better then try Aquapel from PPG. It really does last six months and does a way better job than Rain-x from persoanl experience. I have been using it for 2 years now and cant believe how well it works in the Rainy city (seattle).
Old 12-07-2004, 09:49 AM
  #9  
Ex-Acura Service Manager
Thread Starter
 
Bluenote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD
Age: 58
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I've found that rain-X works for years for me. I reapply every 2 years or so if I'm lazy, every 6 months if I'm not.
Old 12-08-2004, 11:39 AM
  #10  
The Old Grey Whistle Test
 
TOGWT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Florida / England
Posts: 1,001
Received 18 Likes on 14 Posts
Originally Posted by Street Spirit
Have never heard that. All Rain-X does is coat the glass and fill the micro-pores so that moisture does not fill the tiny pores in the glass and stick to it or freeze (in winter). It's basically the same idea as wax for the paint. Just a coating to help moisture sheet off.
Correct, RainX coats the glass (and fills micro chips in the glass surface) with silicone, which causes water (rain) to run off the surface.

JonM
Old 12-08-2004, 11:42 AM
  #11  
On the way!
 
fla-tls's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Orlando, FL
Age: 55
Posts: 3,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The only thing I know of that makes your windshield more prone to chipping is following gravel trucks too closely!
Old 12-09-2004, 07:55 PM
  #12  
Ex-Acura Service Manager
Thread Starter
 
Bluenote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD
Age: 58
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
3 days of near constant rain here in DC & I haven't used my wipers once. God I love Rain-X!
Old 12-09-2004, 09:51 PM
  #13  
Comptech Freak
 
samkws's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
Age: 40
Posts: 6,555
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bluenote
3 days of near constant rain here in DC & I haven't used my wipers once. God I love Rain-X!
beaware that the wiper blade will eat up faster with the chemicals on rain-X
Old 12-12-2004, 02:15 AM
  #14  
Intermediate
 
Snowwolfe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Eagle River, Alaska
Age: 71
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
In my opinion RainX is nothing more than wax. Waste of money. If you like the effect just use what you use to wax your car with.
Old 12-12-2004, 08:43 AM
  #15  
Ex-Acura Service Manager
Thread Starter
 
Bluenote's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Laurel, MD
Age: 58
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
It's not too expensive & it lasts alot longer, IMHO. No worries about the wiper inserts, either, since I'm a stickler at replacing them. Every 6 months, weher or not they're working ok.
Old 12-20-2004, 11:05 PM
  #16  
Banned
 
Jput's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Springfield, Mo
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bluenote
It's not too expensive & it lasts alot longer, IMHO. No worries about the wiper inserts, either, since I'm a stickler at replacing them. Every 6 months, weher or not they're working ok.
Thats kinda funny that you replace the wipers no matter what. However it sounds like you care about your TL.
Old 12-23-2004, 10:41 AM
  #17  
Team Nighthawk MechE
 
DarkWraith33's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Age: 52
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by AsianRage
Does Rain-X harden the wipers and make it cracks?
I might say it makes them go "bad" a little more quickly... But nothing insane... You should replace your wipers somewhat regularly as needed anyways...

I feel comfy saying there is NO WAY RainX makes your windows more prone to chipping. Nupe... Not happening.

The benefits of the RainX far outweigh any downside...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
csmeance
4G TL (2009-2014)
22
09-10-2018 09:15 AM
Oakes
Wash & Wax
9
11-12-2015 09:34 PM
nanos
Car Parts for Sale
26
11-12-2015 08:41 PM
CheeseyPoofs McNut
5G TLX (2015-2020)
35
10-11-2015 11:25 AM
Sixers12
ILX
4
09-06-2015 07:54 PM



Quick Reply: Does Rain-X make your windshield prone to chipping?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:32 AM.