Removing Rain-X From The Windshield

[jbeaver]

I hope I'm placing this thread in the best possible location.

I bought a set of Rain-X wipers for my daily driver and being a typical guy, I just put them on and threw away the packaging. The first rain we had I noticed the windshield getting streaky and seemed to have a "film" or coating sticking to it. I tried to return the wipers to the store but they won't take back any wipers that have been removed from the packaging. After talking with the person at the auto parts store I found out that the wipers I bought, coat the windshield with a little bit of Rain-X every time the wipers move across the windshield . If I had only read the packaging before installing them I could've saved myself a lot of frustration.

The internet is full of ways NOT to do this correctly but there are tidbits of good information and you just have to filter out all of the BS. It turns out that Rain-X is silicone based and only a handful of things will cut through this "concoction". Goo Gone now makes an automotive version of their product called, 'Goo Gone Automotive', that doesn't harm any of the rubber or seals on vehicles. The original stuff isn't recommended for automobiles and shows on the reverse side of the container NOT to use on rubber.

Now onto the "fix". Spray or pour the Goo Gone Automotive onto a cloth or paper towel and just start wiping. The Rain-X will break down almost immediately and become kind of gooey. I used quite a few paper towels but I was able to get just about all of the Rain-X off within the first 10 minutes. I then followed up with some glass cleaner and newspaper (doesn't leave streaks).

Hopefully, this helps anyone who wants to get this stuff off of your windshield.

[crazyhorse]

Mr Beaver, thank you sir for posting this.

I have the "greasy film smear" on all 3 of my vehicles.
Will try this when I get time.

[jzjames]

try some comet.

[ryanschillinger]

What's wrong with the rain x? I like it but hard to apply it without smearing. Best trick I've learned is to apply it before washing the vehicle. Clean windshield, then apply the rain x. Then instead of trying to buff it off, just wash like normal and all the excess comes off and leaves it clear and let's the water roll right off.

[crazyhorse]

I don't know what is wrong with my windshield.

I have a "smear" when the wiper blades pass.

I have replaced the wiper blades, cleaned windshield with glass cleaner, dawn dish detergent, ammonia , comet, degreaser, coco cola , lemon juice , used newspaper + some other cleaners.

My windshield is spotless when it is dry.
It looks like it would be impossible for it to have any thing on it to "smear" when it rains..

I have 3 vehicles and all have this windshield "smear" problem and all are garaged.

I wash the cars with a Meguiars liquid car wash added to a clean bucket of water per instructions and a clean car wash sponge.
I do not wash the windshields in this ,but it does run over the windshield when I wash the top .

[elgemcdlf]

I didn't have any problems with Rainx on my truck but I have no wipers. It didn't work which I believe was caused by the small overhang of the roof. Rain would bead up. Just wouldn't go anywhere.