Autoblog reader Josh Wardell, who loves his MINI Cooper very much thank you, has posted an interesting comparison test between the well known windshield treatment called Rain-X and a lesser known competitor named PPG Aquapel that's usually used by service professionals rather than vehicle owners. We hadn't heard much about PPG Aquapel so we were interested to learn which product Wardell found to more effectively whisked away rainwater over a period of time.
The results from Wardell's unofficial comparison test were surprising. After having applied both products to separate sides of his MINI's windshield, Wardell waited for rain and then taped the results at various stages, all the way from day one to day 72. What we learn from Wardell's accompanying video is that both windshield treatements need speeds above 40 mph to whisk rain away effectively, but that the windshield wipers dramatically reduce the effectiveness of Rain-X over time, whereas the PPG Aquapel side was still effective after 60 days.
How many of you out there have had the chance to try Aquapel and were your results similar? Any Rain-X defenders out there who'd like to speak up?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
James Fabin @ Apr 17th 2006 7:52PM
Good video - this guy really put in the effort to show the performance of each over 2 months. I've been using Rain-X since the early 90's when I first learned of it and have had great luck with it. I'll give the Aquapel a try - from the video it is the winners choice for long lasting protection. Living in Southern California, one application should last a year (we get so little rain).
James
AutoFan @ Apr 17th 2006 7:55PM
Golly. I wonder why Rain-X rubs off. I mean, it's almost like they want you to keep buying the stuff over and over again!
Steve C. @ Apr 17th 2006 8:06PM
Haven't tried PPG's product (I tried Rain-X -- not impressed), but every car I own (5 of them) wears PIAA silicone blades. They constantly lay down a microscopic film of silicone which causes rain to bead and stream off the windshield like crazy. I highly recommend them.
Styl @ Apr 17th 2006 8:10PM
Steve C (#3), where did you find PIAA Wiper Blades? I currently live in Florida and have not been able to locate a vendor that carries them.
Thanx.
Udayan Tripathi @ Apr 17th 2006 8:14PM
2. Golly. I wonder why Rain-X rubs off. I mean, it's almost like they want you to keep buying the stuff over and over again!
I second that (with the sarcasm).
Jason Chan @ Apr 17th 2006 8:23PM
the best rain repellant i bought was actually some generic brand from walmart, it cost $1. it repels rain a lot faster than rainx. however they do not sell it anymore. also it was neon yellow... haha. rain x works fine for me since im in socal. ill try the aquapel once i run out of rainx.
Alex @ Apr 17th 2006 8:24PM
I use the windsheild washer fluid from rain-x (not sold in CA, so I stock up when I leave the state). A layer of rain-x gets applied everytime you use your windsheild washer (which is a lot living next to the ocean). It is not that much more expensive than the regualr windsheild washer fluid.
Old Saaber @ Apr 17th 2006 8:31PM
I do like Alex, Rain-X windshield washer solution. The washer gets plenty of use in the road-salted winter, and in the summer, I just wash the windows occasionally for touch ups--works great.
SKluck @ Apr 17th 2006 8:32PM
I never tried these treatment things until I found an old bottle of the rain-x stuff stashed away in my garage. I am really impressed. I don't even use my wipers when I'm driving on the highway (70mph+), even in very heavy rain.
Everyone should use some sort of treatment, the difference is incredible.
Jason Chan @ Apr 17th 2006 8:40PM
oo i do have a question, did josh test the rain x and aquapel in 72 days of rain or 72 days total rain or shine?
Vexorg @ Apr 17th 2006 8:47PM
I tried using Rain-X for a while, and it does work, but I found that when I would apply it, no how much polishing I did to remove the residue, it would always result in glare on the windshield in the sun. Since I am particularly sensitive to light, this causes me more problems than the rain does, so I haven't bothered using the stuff in quite a while.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Apr 17th 2006 9:06PM
I have been using Aquapel for years, my uncle was a rep when it first came out and has given it to me for some time.
It is great, I only put it on once per year and believe it or not it has some lasting effects that long. I used to use Rain-X but got tried of having to re-apply it. Aquapel is harder to apply than Rain-X but not too difficult.
My wife is not a car person at all, but recently she bought a new car and wouldn't stop saying "When are you going to put that stuff for the rain on my windshield?"
Jonathon Cole @ Apr 17th 2006 9:15PM
I like rain-x but haven't given the Aquapel a try yet, I work at O'Reilly Auto parts and we sell the Aquapel, so once my rain-x wears off I'm going to pick up some Aquapel and try it out.
Howard Kerr @ Apr 17th 2006 9:22PM
I knew if I read enough of these "articles" I'd find something REALLY worth reading. I've considered buying/using Rain-X several times over the years (especially for use on a motorcycle helmet) but I was never sure it really worked. I think I'll try the Aquapel and I want to thank J. Cole for the advice on where to find/buy it.
Howard Kerr @ Apr 17th 2006 9:22PM
I knew if I read enough of these "articles" I'd find something REALLY worth reading. I've considered buying/using Rain-X several times over the years (especially for use on a motorcycle helmet) but I was never sure it really worked. I think I'll try the Aquapel and I want to thank J. Cole for the advice on where to find/buy it.
James @ Apr 17th 2006 9:25PM
I've had good experience with RainX. I'd suspect that the speed issue will vary according to the aerodynamics of the car. For some, 40 won't be quite fast enough. I've always applied it all my windows and side mirrors...it's on those without wipers that I really appreciate the "wisking" effect the most.
db @ Apr 17th 2006 9:29PM
>Steve C (#3), where did you find PIAA Wiper Blades? I >currently live in Florida and have not been able to >locate a vendor that carries them.
I swear by these as well. Check TireRack. That's where I got mine.
John @ Apr 17th 2006 10:07PM
I use Castrol's "Rain-X" Kinda stuff and well it works pretty good. Lasts longer then Rain-X Brand. And doesn't start to show that slight cracking in the winshield when it starts to wear. So The Castrol's brand I would advise to use more so then rain-x. But TO be honest. The money you spend on that stuff. I rather just get new blades every 6 months. I mean I buy enough stuff for my ride to clean the damn car. Soap,Wax,Polishes, Towels, Wheel cleaners. So Just new blades every 6 months and no problems.
Peace
Josh Wardell @ Apr 17th 2006 11:08PM
Thanks for the words and comments everyone. I didn't realize it was autoblog material. :) I'm just looking for better products, and what better way to test which is best than place them next to each other. I'm doing it again in my next test for plastic trim. Now to track down who sent this one in...
And I have come across reports from people who's rainx has lasted so long, because they don't use their wipers. But I think that would be a major safety issue, especially at slow speeds. These are designed to improve your visibility in conjunction with wipers.
Satish @ Apr 17th 2006 11:32PM
Rain-X or PPG Aquapel or a brand new car off the factory floor. All of these comments forget to mention when they relied upon the water beading action and when they relied upon the wipers to do their job. If anyone here says they did not rely on wipers at all during daytime--they are a pile of steaming sh**. Even with a freshly cleaned, treated and waxed windshield (and other windows), the beaded water leaves minute water-trails. These trails build up (quickly in most cases) that can only be wiped off with the wiper blade.
The reason this matters more in daytime is that daylight completely sends lighwaves going in every other direction and creates a nasty film-ish blur. The wipers have to be used at atleast on the lowest setting to get rid of this water trail mess.
At night, unless there's some idiot on the opposite side with high-beams or you're entering a city area with overhead lights, you almost never have to use your wipers because there are no lights to scatter it. But as soon as you turn the wipers on, the vision become diamon-clear, as opposed to just clear.
Also, no treatment in the world can prevent that water spray mist that occurs when you're behind another vehicle (especially trucks).
The Rain-X windshield washer fluid creates a filmy mess after a while (this was tested with brand new Rain-X wiper blades). This mess, again is visible greatly when there are lights (including street-lights). This smear happens as soon as the wiper blades go over the area. Also, I see no reason to buy $9 Rain-X blades, when $3 ones do the same thing.
In conclusion, yes, these treatments help (at high-speeds), but it does not eliminate the use of wipers.
Finally, a question: What if you just use plain rubbing-alcohol as windshield washer fluid? Not only is it clear, but it's one amazing glass cleaner by nature.
The annoying thing about washer fluids is that they're colored, and it really shows on a White Car. Also, the orange Rain-X washer fluid sticks to EVERYTHING. It even stains black rubber molding to a rusty-orange color, and comes off only in a detailed wash.