Rain-X Help

"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno) 04/06/2016 at 11:49 • Filed to: None

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You know, I like Rain-X. I have it on my car and it’s kind of a neat thing watching rain just roll off my windshield. But ever since I’ve put it on my car my wipers chatter like no tomorrow and it is the most annoying thing ever.

Did I apply it wrong or something? Or is this just a byproduct of it? Because yes it helps a lot at highway speeds but I still have to use my wipers at lower speeds and the chattering is so bad it shakes my cowl.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 11:53

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Use RainX washer fluid and always spray when you wipe.

Bonus: The RainX coating will last longer that way.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 11:56

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Are the Germans so fine tuned that the reduced friction while raining is causing this because of speed variation from expected?

Seriously though, used the stuff for years and never noticed any effect on anything else.

Urambo Tauro > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:00

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I believe the chatter is being caused by a “perfect storm” of two things: old blades and a low friction surface.

Wiper blades spend 99% of their life in a resting position. As the rubber ages, it hardens and becomes more resistant to flexing back and forth as it should. So the rubber hardens in a flexed upward position, brought about by the downward stroke of the last time the wipers were used.

An untreated windshield can provide enough grip to “catch” the rubber element and force it to flex back and forth as the wipers move up and down. Rain-X reduces the friction of the glass and allows the hardened blade to skip. New rubber will flex more readily without having to drag it against the glass as much.

TL;DR: get new blades.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Urambo Tauro 04/06/2016 at 12:01

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The blades are 3 month old Bosch Icons, there's no way they're in need of replacing so soon.

46and2aheadofme > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:07

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Seattlite here, familiar with rain issues.! I find buildup develops on the blades and sometimes just cleaning the blades solves the problem. Also, I switched to a product called aquapel and it lasts a year or so. Just make sure to read the directions and not get any on the rubber or paint. Also, clean your windshield REALLY well before applying. A detailer charged a bill or so to do it the first time, then I discovered I could get a huge bag on eBay or Amazon for cheap.

vicali > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:07

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The worst part of rainX is getting into another car without it...

46and2aheadofme > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:08

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Minor thread jack, sorry. What kind of wiper blades does oppo like?

Urambo Tauro > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:09

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Bummer. I was afraid you were going to say that...

There are other variables that could be affecting it. It could have something to do with your car’s windshield angle, and the amount of downforce collected by the wipers. It’s also possible that the wiper arm springs may not be as strong as they once were.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > 46and2aheadofme 04/06/2016 at 12:10

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I personally swear by Bosch Icons. They never make noise (well, the ones on my M3 didn’t until the rainx) and they seem to last forever. The pair on my Safari are at least 3 years old and this point and still work like new.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Urambo Tauro 04/06/2016 at 12:12

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Maybe I'll just scrub the windshield really well and reapply it and see if the chatter improves. Clean the blades real good too. If that doesn't work I dunno what I'll do.

Echo51 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:15

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Some say to apply rain x to the blades aswell... But i’ve heard bad about if you ever want to stop using rain x, or don’t religiously apply it often it’ll be a smeary mess that’s a nightmare to get back off, thus why i go more for other products... Aquapel looks really promising..

46and2aheadofme > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:15

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I swear by Bosch for everything car and tool related. Not their appliances though. But my current car came with Bosch Icons (I think, they’re the flat one-piece ones, right?) and I just can’t get used to how weird they look. But so far they’re lasting forever which is kind of pissing me off. These days I try not to replace something unless it needs replacing.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > vicali 04/06/2016 at 12:16

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Even as a passenger.

Rico > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:18

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Clay bar your windshield. Apply rain X evenly and be sure to buff any high spots. Then clean your wipers with rubbing alcohol afterward apply rain X to the rubber.

How long ago did you change your wipers? Depending on the amount of sun your car sees the rubber inserts may be worn and need to be replaced.

Rico > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/06/2016 at 12:20

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Rain X fluid is not good for every car though and can funk up the sensor in the washer tank.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:20

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Oh those things, yeah they have made noise on every thing I have tried them on. My old Mercedes went back to stock blades because the curve of the windshield and they skipped like a mother F-er. I think the design of that style just does NOT agree with some windshields. I had a 94 Accord that was my commuter car and it did the same thing, changed back to Honda stock and it was fine. I use Rain X on my CRV (replaced the Accord) and I almost never use the wipers, I find with Rain X it works except when it’s not raining hard because there isn’t enough water to collect.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Rico 04/06/2016 at 12:21

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The wipers are 3 months old

Rico > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:23

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Great, will you do all the other things I told you to do?

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:24

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I generally have this trouble, too. Try RainX’ing the rubber.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Rico 04/06/2016 at 12:43

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Seriously? Meh, use it anyway.

itschrome > Rico 04/06/2016 at 12:44

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This guy has it. Follow this and the chatter will go away.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:58

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I had this issue for my car with the Bosch Icons as well. Had to wait for them to actually get really wet before they would not make awful soul-sucking noise. Unfortunately light drizzles (the worst for RainX since it works best with actual rain) was never enough.

I found putting a little RainX or similar on a rag and wiping the blades seemed to help, but it’s definitely an issue I only experienced with the Icons. Michelins and RainX blades seemed to be fine.

OCD-CO > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 12:59

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Bosch Icon on every vehicle I have owned (10) in the last 10 years.

Rain X suck.

BigBlock440 > OCD-CO 04/06/2016 at 13:31

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The only good thing about the Rain-X blades is that they introduced me to the Rain-X coating. The coating is awesome, the blades are garbage.

Rico > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/06/2016 at 13:55

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For some cars like Mercedes and VW it gunks up a sensor that determines if fluid is low or not. That sensor could cost a lot of money to some people. On other vehicles it’s not really an issue but I remember my service advisor telling me not to use it.

Shankems > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 14:10

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Nope. I have resigned to never rain-x’ing my windshield again. The damned thing wears and I get that chatter. It is never solved until you scrub the remaining X off the windshield.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ 04/06/2016 at 16:03

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Possible. Mercedes have the same problem. Only way I’ve found to fix is get rid of the rain-x.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 16:04

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German car problems. Mercedes has this problem too. I’ve only ever been able to fix it by scrubbing the rain-x off.

Rico > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/06/2016 at 18:48

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On my C300 I just apply the same paint sealant (Blackfire Crystal Seal) I use on the body and wheels on the windows and it works well.

BayAreaMiataBoi > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 04/06/2016 at 19:56

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I usually give only one wipe at intersections and when entering crowded areas so I can see, because my wipers chatter too. When I have to use the wipers all the time, it is time for more RainEx!

BayAreaMiataBoi > Urambo Tauro 04/06/2016 at 20:00

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+1 Either rely almost exclusively on RainEx, or find STIFF wiper blades that do not take much of a set when parked on the more-convex curve of the windshield.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Rico 04/06/2016 at 22:58

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Interesting. I haven’t heard of doing that.