[dbs600]

I recently bought Rain-X 2-In-1 Washer Fluid and quickly noticed it’d cause my windshield to become hazy and ‘white-out’ with a film during use.

I googled and came across many reported problems with the product, including confirmation of what I was seeing, which causes a safety hazard, as well as a class action lawsuit stating that the product can cause damage washer fluid level sensors in ONE USE. WTF.

https://www.classaction.org/rain-x-lawsuit

https://raysands.wordpress.com/2008/...rainx-residue/

I now want to empty my whole washer fluid reservoir, but want to know if there’s a way to do so without the wiper arms moving.

Please advise ASAP.

Thank you.

[AronL]

Never once have I had any kind of issue like that regarding RainX 2-in-1. That's pretty damned scary!

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by AronL

Never once have I had any kind of issue like that regarding RainX 2-in-1. That's pretty damned scary!

Tell me about it.

[dbs600]

Anyone know if it's safe to run rubbing alcohol through the system to clean it out?

I have a feeling the nozzle jets aren't outputting a strongly as before this junk.

[Tasmanian]

My BMW dealer warns against using Rain-X. he said it causes fungus to grow in it and clog the jets and pump.

He said i must only use the blue washer fluid like what they and Advance Auto sell. It’s all I use now. No problems!

Tasmanian

[dbs600]

Originally Posted by Tasmanian

My BMW dealer warns against using Rain-X. he said it causes fungus to grow in it and clog the jets and pump.

He said i must only use the blue washer fluid like what they and Advance Auto sell. It’s all I use now. No problems!

Tasmanian

Argh; with the amount of time I've been in service, never heard same.

Wish I had! What a mistake. :/

[lsturbointeg]

i only use the Rain-X product that you spray on. no issues as when it rains the water beads off quickly. but i've never used the one that replaces the windshield washer fluid.

[Surly73]

Rain-X must be applied over a clean, preferably polished, glass surface to bond and function properly. If there's any bit of grime, build up, or deposits (even if you can't see them) then I've found that it tends to go white whenever a wiper blade passes over it. (Personal experience)

I suspect this is what's going on.... It's not that "Rain-X is bad" necessarily, it's that people who haven't prepped the glass are suddenly applying Rain-X via their washer fluid. All that doesn't mean it isn't a bad idea to avoid it. It also explains why some people have no problem and for others it's horrendous.

[TEF]

If one reads comments on this product on Amazon site, this problems goes back a few years. I remember reading about the same issues on the VW forum around 2013. Since then, I've spent a little more and purchased Prestone instead. Even if the claims are false, cleaning the washer systems is more expensive than the alternatives.

[dbs600]

Ran washers until empty

Filled reservoir with ¼ gallon rubbing alcohol

Ran washers until empty

Filled reservoir with the blue stuff

Ran washers once

Squeegeed windshield

Wiped windshield and blades with rubbing alcohol

Squeegeed windshield

Now clear as can be

All is good

Thanks for everyone’s help!

[Tasmanian]

Glad to see you "cleared" that problem up!

Tasmanian

[Kyngofpop]

Any rain-x product has always caused this issue for me, and I can only imagine it exacerbates the problem since our cars already have water repellent glass. It causes a shadow and haze after the wipers wipe. This is absolutely infuriating if you drive in cities that use the orange colored lights. Super dangerous and I advise against any Rain-X product all together

[Chili Palmer]

I've always used Prestone Bug n Wash in all my vehicles - never had any fungus or algae problems.

[dbs600]

Thanks everyone.

Seems everyone has a different experience with this product.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Kyngofpop

Any rain-x product has always caused this issue for me, and I can only imagine it exacerbates the problem since our cars already have water repellent glass.

Where on earth does this piece of information originate? Never heard of, nor observed, such a thing.

[Kyngofpop]

Originally Posted by Surly73

Where on earth does this piece of information originate? Never heard of, nor observed, such a thing.

Look it up. Volvo was the first to offer it in 2005, then Lexus made it standard across their model lineup followed by Merc, Bmw, and other makes. It's clear to see if you look at the windshield and windows when it rains. The water beads instead of sheeting but doesn't have the shadows that Rain-X does.

Of course I don't have internal Bmw documents but I thought it was common knowledge...

Btw the Aquapel coating should be re-applied every 5-6 years, BMW even offers an Aquapel re-coating kit available at your local dealer.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Kyngofpop

Look it up. Volvo was the first to offer it in 2005, then Lexus made it standard across their model lineup followed by Merc, Bmw, and other makes. It's clear to see if you look at the windshield and windows when it rains. The water beads instead of sheeting but doesn't have the shadows that Rain-X does.

Of course I don't have internal Bmw documents but I thought it was common knowledge...

Btw the Aquapel coating should be re-applied every 5-6 years, BMW even offers an Aquapel re-coating kit available at your local dealer.

None of the 6 BMWs I've had "in the family" - E39 x3, E46, E90 and F10 have ever had water bead on the glass without adding a coating. From my quick google, "Aquapel" is just another glass coating just like Rain-X, RainAway, Forte and others. In my books, that doesn't make "BMW glass water repellent", though could be "pre-coated" if the dealers are supposed to do it prior to delivery or something... [EDIT: I've also had a handful of F30 loaners from my dealer, all with between 1,000-5,000km. I recall rain neither beading or sheeting, but blotching and being very hard to see through. If that's Aquapel at work - no thanks]

The Aquapel site even talks about cleanliness prior to coating, and I think I mentioned in this thread that the lack of cleanliness is probably the issue with Rain-X as brought up in this thread, not Rain-X itself. When a coating comes unexpected or unwanted in your jug of winter washer fluid, the glass is anything but properly prepped to accept a coating. Thus, you get streaking and fogging problems.

Prior to coating glass I'll use Ceriglass and an orange foam pad on a random orbital to strip and clean the glass. With this prep, so far Rain-X seems to work as well as, or better than, even some expensive boutique coatings.

[Jns2001]

Rain X Washer Fluid will screw your paint close to the headlight washers.