Curious if any window treatment like Rain-X interferes with radar range.
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Curious if any window treatment like Rain-X interferes with radar range.
Personally, I feel the answer is a big no (being a long time Rain-X user). Often I won't reapply for months and months (like 5+ in winter)... so the stuff has obviously worn off. But certainly no preceiveable change in performance is noted between a fresh coat and a windshield untreated for 6+ months, so don't worry about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg
I have used Rain-X for years and have not noticed any range issues with radar.
Id say no...
This is a little off subject but does Rain X leave a hazy film on your windshield? I was thinking about getting some but didn't want a fog
like affect when viewing the road.
No man...no hazeQuote:
Originally Posted by Orbital75
You have to try using Rain X....half the time you don't need to use your windshield wipers as beads of rain will run up the windshield. I highly recommend using it...
As for haze: No haze unless you don't follow the directions -- ie: make sure your window is clean before applying or yes it will leave a haze.
I had Aquapel (similiar to Rain X) applied to my windsheild when I had my tint strip put on, and it made a huge difference in the rain! I have found no change in the range on the RD...if anything it may be better when it is raining because the rain just beads off as I am driving on the highway....so the wipers won't block the rd as much.
It does hase when i used it not long ago, but years ago when i first brought it i dont remember it doing this back then..
But i put this down to grease on the window, you need to use a good quality glass cleaner to remove any grease, or better still wipe the window with meths.
This will then remove any grease and it will give rainx a clean surface to bond to.
Basicly what rain x does is it fills in the rough surface of the glass making it smooth so that rain or whatever doesnt bond or stick to it..
What its made out of i dont know, but it wont be metal but probibly some type of wax type of stuff made from silicon or something....
Also this type of product may benefit laser jammer users by keeping water and dirt from the len's during winter periods...
I personally use Rain-X brand washer sluid, I see rain comin, squirt some on the windshield and im good to ge, my wipers just rub it in nicely, I love the effect at like 45mph, does almost nothing at 30
I also have Rain-X brand wiper blades..... but I barely use those!!!!! its just that good
I was a ling time rain-x user, (26+ years) and no reduction in radar receptin that I have evr noticed.
Now with the advent of their winter ice-melting fluid, and summer bug sauce fluid, I never find the need to apply rain-x anymore. The windshield sauce works very nicely. I am glad because I need a ladder to get at all my windshield.
RainX is great!
have used it for 5 years and love it!
no difference in reception
Personal opinion, don't use Rain-x. Not because it effects your RD but actually ruins your glass. I was a user for years, and it has left permanent damage on my cars windshield. After a while if you don't use it, you will get terrible wiper performance. I was talking to a guy who works with auto glass and he said NEVER use anything on your windshield as it will etch the glass.
the way I do it is I just spray on a bit from the windshield washer (I just pull my wiper lever back and the car does it by itself :D ), ive used it for as long as ive had my car (About 2 years) and it still fine, clear as day.......I guess it might depend on application, mine is pretty watered down and runny compared to the stuff you put on like in the garageQuote:
Originally Posted by chester
just be like me.... I can't keep a windshield long enough for it to matter. I am still waiting for my latest rock chip to turn into a huge crack.Quote:
Originally Posted by chester
rain-x is great, I dont use wipers over 30mph unless its a torrent of water. makes it fun to laugh at people running their wiper at full speed in a sprinkle
I love that :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by trainedmonkey
I get to keep my aerodynamics even in the rain :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I use Lemon Pledge works great... :lol:
Just used RainX for the first time this year. It was a blast driving to work in a Downpour with no wipers! :lol:
Im hooked
its ADDICTIVE isnt it!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Duke_Anthony
Just a small idea guys. You could just apply the RainXtm around the veiw of the detector :shock:
Rain-X is not metal, it won't stop radar waves from going thru. Lidar is a different story, maybe someone with a lidar gun can test/verify whether it increases or decreases reflectivity of IR.
Per my understanding, Rain-X (or similar products) work by increasing the surface tension of water wrt the surface. If you remember chemistry labs in school, when you pour water into a test tube the top surface of the water is concave.
When the rain drops (or droplets if it's a drizzle) hit the windshield, they shatter into small droplets that 'stick' to the windshield and reduce visibility - hence the need to be wiped off. Coating the windshield with Rain-X basically creates a surface that has has higher water tension - the droplets cling back together to form larger drops. The amount of water on the windshield (at any given moment) hasn't changed, it's just clumped together in larger drops. Visibility between the drops is retained and significantly reduces the need to 'wipe off'. Depending on the rake of the windshield and the vehicle speed (assuming no wind), the wind pressure on the drop forces it up the windshield (yup, against gravity) and causes that cool effect and even further reducing the need to 'wipe off'.
In the cars I've driven (owned or rental), I've found the drops to roll up at 40+ MPH.
Whether Rain-X (or other products) corrode the glass, I don't know. However, I've found the windshield get compromised by sand and/or rock chips far before the Rain-X. :(
Don't believe me? Try this experiment: Get a 1/2" dia. (or close) clean test tube, fill with water and note the 'height' of the concavity. Then coat it's inside with Rain-X, fill with water and measure the 'height' of the concavity/convexity. The height should reduce or even become convex.
Hehe, gotta love that stuff. The bug formula is awesome during love bug season here in FL. Every so often, just spray the stuff, and the bugs will come off instead of smearing :D It was kinnda funny cuz it was raining pretty hard a couple weeks ago here in Orlando, and I didnt need to turn on my wipers becuase of the stuff, but my roomate was freakin out cuz I wouldnt turn them on. It was hilarious. :lol:
Quote:
Originally Posted by ELVATO
some people just dont know the joys of Rain X, im using some pretty expensive blades right now (The bracket-less $25 per blade stuff) and all it seems to do is rub the Rain X washer fluid on, thats it :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Moved to Car Talk.
What is this stuff? Do you add it in addition to Rain-X or is it mixed with Rain-X?Quote:
Originally Posted by ELVATO
x10 that :lol: :lol:Quote:
... but my roomate was freakin out cuz I wouldnt turn them on. It was hilarious. :lol:
Regarding lidar. Now that I think about it a little bit more, I think lidar reception could be the same or a tad bit better in the rain. Why?
1. Less stuff to go thru because more of the windshield is 'clear'
2. The drops focus the little IR they get and the drops in front of the lens help. Driving at night with this stuff can be a little nasty from the headlights of oncoming vehicles (each drop sorta becomes like a shining light)
But this is all prolly moot cause LEOs are likely to stay in during rainy weather. :D Maybe have some donuts and coffee. :wink:
if youve got the Rai-X brand washer fluid like me, it has a bug off type thing already in it, so I use it for that, or when I see some rain coming, just spray it on and im good to goQuote:
Originally Posted by LittleOverPSL
This thread reminded me to use my rain-x..haven't reapply for like a year :shock:
Yea, its Rain X wiper fluid with a bug solution. It costed a full dollar and a half more than the generic Walmart brand. :lol: Best 2.34+tax Ive spent in a while :P
I see, thanks. I bought some big bottles from Costco a year or so ago - still have the stuff. Need it only for long distance trips, doesn't do much good during commute (short distance), plus the light drizzle we get in Seattle doesn't need it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ELVATO