How to remove Rain-X? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Captain Snooze · 07-19-2022, 01:33 AM

How does one remove the Rain-X film from a windscreen? I've tried glass cleaner, metho, white spirit, nail polish remover, laundry detergent, cloudy ammonia. Each time I get the cloudy streaks of Rain-X that I can dry wipe so the windscreen is clear but the film is still there.

2020BRZtS · 07-19-2022, 02:13 AM

rubbing alcohol, dishwasher soap, or straight vinegar.

It does wear off over time.

Sapphireho · 07-19-2022, 06:51 AM

Every time I've ever used it it is gone in about 10 minutes of rain. Guess I need some Aussie rain-x.

Cleaning vinegar?

spcmafia · 07-19-2022, 06:51 AM

Dawn soap, clay bar, and then follow up with Griots Glass Polish. You gotta replace the wiper blades because they carry residue.

Also, make sure that your windshield fluid is not the Rain-X one by some reason because then you're back to step 1.

Captain Snooze · 07-19-2022, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spcmafia

Dawn soap, clay bar, and then follow up with Griots Glass Polish. You gotta replace the wiper blades because they carry residue.

Also, make sure that your windshield fluid is not the Rain-X one by some reason because then you're back to step 1.

I forgot to mention in my first post that I tried a clay bar.
Griots Glass Polish doesn't seem to be available locally. I will look for an alternative.
F*ck this has turned into a waste of money.

spcmafia · 07-19-2022, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I forgot to mention in my first post that I tried a clay bar.

F*ck this has turned into a waste of money.

Kind of odd that it is still there. Dawn should do the trick. Mix it in a spray bottle, 1 part of dawn, rubbing alcohol, and some water. See if that works.

Yours must be really caked in.

Captain Snooze · 07-19-2022, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2020BRZtS

rubbing alcohol, dishwasher soap, or straight vinegar.

It does wear off over time.

Metho seems to be almost identical to rubbing alcohol. As mentioned metho didn't seem to work. I shall try some vinegar.

spcmafia · 07-19-2022, 07:10 AM

Any dish-soap that has a heavy de-greaser property would do. Hell, if you want me to send you some, let me know. Im about to go to Costco tomorrow so I'll hook you up with the biggest bottle I can find.

Sapphireho · 07-19-2022, 07:27 AM

Cleaning vinegar is more acidic than regular vinegar.

Edit: this is what came up on Google..

Rain-X is a commercial formula used to repel water, rain, and snow from glass. To remove Rain-X, first mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto your glass and rub it in with a cloth. Once you've gotten rid of the Rain-X, use a new dry cloth to wipe away any residue.

Tcoat · 07-19-2022, 11:51 AM

I have attempted to remove RainX off a couple of cars.
Alcohol helps (if you drink it since it doesn't do a bloody thing the that film)
Clay barring just gives it a nice slick surface.
Glasscleaners run off just like the water.
Changing wiper blades is fine once you get rid of the stuff.

There was only one thing that I found that completely got rid of that devils brew of chemicals and waxes...

Tcoat · 07-19-2022, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

Cleaning vinegar is more acidic than regular vinegar.

Edit: this is what came up on Google..

Rain-X is a commercial formula used to repel water, rain, and snow from glass. To remove Rain-X, first mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto your glass and rub it in with a cloth. Once you've gotten rid of the Rain-X, use a new dry cloth to wipe away any residue.

Dadhawk · 07-19-2022, 12:25 PM

OK, gotta ask, what's the issue with RainX that you would go to all this trouble to get rid of it? I used it for decades off and on with no issue.

MX-5RACER · 07-19-2022, 01:31 PM

I had an old bottle of RainX that would last forever. I got a replacement from Walmart and that crap would barely make it through one rain storm before it was gone. This is when I found out that Walmart has their own "special" products that are not always the same as the higher priced versions carried at other stores.

I bought my last bottle of RainX at an autoparts store and it seems to last at least a month here in rainy S. FL.

Tcoat · 07-19-2022, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

OK, gotta ask, what's the issue with RainX that you would go to all this trouble to get rid of it? I used it for decades off and on with no issue.

I had it on two cars. All it ever did was smear and distort the vision. Hated it!

07-19-2022, 01:33 AM	#1
Captain Snooze Because compromise ® Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Red Herring Location: australia Posts: 7,719 Thanks: 3,992 Thanked 9,339 Times in 4,125 Posts Mentioned: 60 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	How to remove Rain-X? How does one remove the Rain-X film from a windscreen? I've tried glass cleaner, metho, white spirit, nail polish remover, laundry detergent, cloudy ammonia. Each time I get the cloudy streaks of Rain-X that I can dry wipe so the windscreen is clear but the film is still there. __________________ My car is completely stock except for all the mods.

07-19-2022, 06:51 AM	#4
spcmafia Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Drives: 2018 Subaru BRZ Location: Stonington, Connecticut Posts: 3,281 Thanks: 1,514 Thanked 4,140 Times in 1,986 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Dawn soap, clay bar, and then follow up with Griots Glass Polish. You gotta replace the wiper blades because they carry residue. Also, make sure that your windshield fluid is not the Rain-X one by some reason because then you're back to step 1. __________________ “God gave me an okay mind, but a really good ass, which can feel everything in a car.” Nikki Lauda

07-19-2022, 07:10 AM	#8
spcmafia Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Drives: 2018 Subaru BRZ Location: Stonington, Connecticut Posts: 3,281 Thanks: 1,514 Thanked 4,140 Times in 1,986 Posts Mentioned: 24 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Any dish-soap that has a heavy de-greaser property would do. Hell, if you want me to send you some, let me know. Im about to go to Costco tomorrow so I'll hook you up with the biggest bottle I can find. __________________ “God gave me an okay mind, but a really good ass, which can feel everything in a car.” Nikki Lauda

07-19-2022, 07:27 AM	#9
Sapphireho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: '15 ultramarine Location: Idaho Posts: 13,192 Thanks: 5,451 Thanked 18,239 Times in 8,609 Posts Mentioned: 155 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Cleaning vinegar is more acidic than regular vinegar. Edit: this is what came up on Google.. Rain-X is a commercial formula used to repel water, rain, and snow from glass. To remove Rain-X, first mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution onto your glass and rub it in with a cloth. Once you've gotten rid of the Rain-X, use a new dry cloth to wipe away any residue. Last edited by Sapphireho; 07-19-2022 at 09:35 AM.

07-19-2022, 11:51 AM	#10
Tcoat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Drives: 2020 Hakone Location: London, Ont Posts: 69,845 Thanks: 61,656 Thanked 108,283 Times in 46,456 Posts Mentioned: 2495 Post(s) Tagged: 50 Thread(s)	I have attempted to remove RainX off a couple of cars. Alcohol helps (if you drink it since it doesn't do a bloody thing the that film) Clay barring just gives it a nice slick surface. Glasscleaners run off just like the water. Changing wiper blades is fine once you get rid of the stuff. There was only one thing that I found that completely got rid of that devils brew of chemicals and waxes... __________________ Racecar spelled backwards is Racecar, because Racecar.

07-19-2022, 12:25 PM	#12
Dadhawk 1st86 Driver! Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: '13 FR-S (#3 of 1st 86) Location: Powder Springs, GA Posts: 19,811 Thanks: 38,816 Thanked 24,935 Times in 11,375 Posts Mentioned: 182 Post(s) Tagged: 4 Thread(s)	OK, gotta ask, what's the issue with RainX that you would go to all this trouble to get rid of it? I used it for decades off and on with no issue. __________________ Visit my Owner's Journal where I wax philosophic on all things FR-S Post your 86 or see others in front of a(n) (in)famous landmark. What fits in your 86? Show us the "Junk In Your Trunk".

07-19-2022, 01:31 PM	#13
MX-5RACER Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Drives: 1999 Miata Location: S. FL Posts: 84 Thanks: 8 Thanked 41 Times in 30 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I had an old bottle of RainX that would last forever. I got a replacement from Walmart and that crap would barely make it through one rain storm before it was gone. This is when I found out that Walmart has their own "special" products that are not always the same as the higher priced versions carried at other stores. I bought my last bottle of RainX at an autoparts store and it seems to last at least a month here in rainy S. FL. __________________ DJ 1999 Miata VVT swap "Maggie" 2013 BRZ "Nancy-Drew BRZ"

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