Miata Mailing List: August 1995, Message #59
sponsored by



     


   From: phredd@infi.net
Subject: More Dribbling On Rain-X
   Date: Tue, 1 Aug 1995 18:26:00 -0400

>>
>>        Keep plenty of Rain-X on your windshield and you won't need your
>>washer - nor your wipers, for that matter. I haven't used the wipers on any
>>of my cars for years.
>>
>>--------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>        Fred Donour, Jr.
>>        XCIII RED A
>>        Norfolk, Virginia
>>
>>        (a.k.a. on the Net as Cary C. Kretts of the
>>         Sentrul Inteligents Ajency)
>>
>>         God's Miata is Red!
>
>What the hell is Rain-X?
>
>Alan Clayson II '94MMMM



        +++ Alan:

        By now you've probably read some of the other responses to your
succinct question regarding this amazing substance. I agree with just about
everything I've read here about it although I've never experienced any skin
irritation with it. But then, I've been assaulting mine with gasoline,
kerosene, turpentine, acetone, laquer thinner, et cetera and so forth from
just about the time that most of that stuff was invented so, that could
have a bearing.

        I've never gotten it on any paint but I do think the packaging
warns against that. In its liquified form, it dissolves oxidized rubber
windshield gasket like you would not believe (perhaps UNoxidized, as well,
although, I don't recall ever owning any of that).

        I use it on everything from my Miata to my van. In fact, the more
vertical your windshield is, the better it works - owing to greater wind
pressure. I almost never have to employ the wipers except in a real frog
strangler or if the application is old. In act, you're better off *not* to
use your wipers when you have Rain-X on. It doesn't streak or anything buy
the wipers tend to rub it off, as will anything - rain, wind, washing, etc.
You have to reapply occasionally - once a month seems to do it unless there
has been an unusual amount of abrasion. It's real easy to do but your
windshield should be clean first.

        As with everything from paint to shampoo, the manufacturer's
directions tell you to put it on twice (to insure good coverage). I used to
think this was the same kind of bunk that any self respecting marketer of
comsumable supplies provides in order to get you to use the product up
twice a fast but, after trying it both ways, I've become convinced that the
double application is the way to go - especially the first time or after an
extended period of use - or disuse (of course, our friendly, neighborhood
star attacks it, too).

        I use about a half a paper towel folded into a small pad. Dribble
the liquid directly on the glass (unless it's a small or extremely vertical
area) and start spreading it around. Do it smartly, though, as Rain-X is
extremly fugitive. And, of course don't do it on hot glass (a good
recommendation for almost *any* activity).

        After the first coat drys to a haze, do it again.

        After the second coat drys to another haze, lightly rub down the
entire area with a clean, water-dampened piece of paper towel (the other
half of the original sheet always to seems to work fairly well unless
you've forgotten used it to wipe your brow or blow your nose, as I usually
seem to do). This step seems to "set" the application somehow and it sure
makes it easier to polish the remainder to invisibility.

        I'm guessing that the damp wipe step may remove more of the
material than just a dry wipe would but the ease of the final step makes it
worth it. Another reason to do the second application.

        The joy of being able to drive through a similarly acting rainstorm
without having to use wipers (which often just makes things worse -
especially on old, abraded glass) will really make you an addict in quick
order (do not take internally). It makes old windshields behave like new
again, at least in the wet.

        They could've just as appropriately called this stuff Snow-X,
Mud-X, or Bug-X. It makes it much more difficult for all those things to
stick.

        'Hope you have as good luck as I've had with it.

        Phredd



        PS:  Some time ago, I saw a vastly superior substance demonstrated
on a TV show called "Beyond 2000." This stuff made Rain-X look like you had
smeared *honey* on your windshield! It was developed in Australia and I'm
not sure it was even a product yet. I don't remember its name (helpful, eh)
but if anyone else knows anything about it, please give out a yell. Our
comrade from Melbourne may be able to help out.

--------------------------------------------------------

        Fred Donour, Jr.
        XCIII RED A
        Norfolk, Virginia

        (a.k.a. on the Net as Cary C. Kretts of the
         Sentrul Inteligents Ajency)

         God's Miata is Red!