[anom3]

So...

2 weeks ago I had a brand spanking new windsheild installed on my vehicle. Bought a pilkington replacement. Didn't "need" it as there were no cracks or anything of that sort... But it had a number of large chips that were repaired as well as the general sandblasted look.

Being smart, I decided to coat it with an invisible windsheild as soon as I brought the car home.

I did not use Rain-X... I used nanolex urban glass. Strictly judging by the price, it's better... Although the effect is the same.

Since we are mid summer here, we have had no rain... Until about 5 days ago. Turn on the wipers... CRAZY judder... Like wipers skipping on both sides, on the way up as well as on the way down.

Since I just had the windsheild swapped, was not sure if it was the nanolex or if my wiper arms were reinstalled wrong. Or maybe the arms were angled wrong?

So:

A) Bought new wiper blades... Nope same deal.

B) Checked the wiper arms. Everything looks correct. The measurements are as per Rheingold. I don't have the measuring tool to measure the angle of the wipers, but they look pretty damn close to 85.5 deg.

C) I then started reading about Rain-x. Seams this is a common issue. So I start scrubbing with pretty much everything on the garage shelf.

Paint thinner didn't phase it.
Goo gone didn't phase it.

The closest I was able to get to rubbing it off was with glym glass polish. But it took SO much of the stuff and so much effort I gave up after getting about 1/4 done.

So I look online and found this:



Soft99 Compound Z

Specifically made for removing invisible glass (guessing its all just silica based shit...).

Just did most of the windshield (minus the border). And went to the car wash to rinse it off.

Worked like a charm, judder is 100% gone. Have to go over the edges and corners as I rushed just to see if it would help.

So yeah, thats my experience with silica based invisible windsheilds on the F30. As far as why they judder on the F30 (and mine specifically)... I have no idea. Perhaps its because of the position of the wipers on the F30? Or maybe the OEM and Bosch (the replacements I bought were Bosch, both old and new juddered) are just too "loose". Who knows...

Note : I bet some of you have had great success with this stuff... In my case it made the wipers judder / jump / skip like crazy.

[ChubbyWilly]

This kinda makes sense. I clean my windshield with Rain-X and it judders like crazy. When I applied Hydro2 Lite to it though it was smooth motion every time. Although with Hydro2 Lite you pretty much don't need to use your wipers.

[Billfitz]

I used Rain-X on previous cars, including the WW fluid, no problem. I didn't with the Bimmer, because the Rain-X WW fluid is incompatible with the WW pump, and will clog it. I did some research, discovered Aqua-Pel, it works better than Rain-X, and I get no blade skip at all.

[Orion4]

I've used Rain-X and then PPG's Aquapel for years on 5 different BMWs with both OEM and Aftermarket glass without any issues. The only time I experienced wiper shudder was with blades near replacement time and not having thoroughly removed the treatment excess. Best method to remove the treatment (according to PPG) is Bon-Ami cleaner (powdered) and a wet sponge- has worked for me.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have not had any issues with Rain-X or any other washer fluid. Usually just buy what ever is available when I run low.

[Vinboyblue]

I've been using rain X no issues at all. I think u probably had excess fluid that dried on your wiper blades causing it to become hard.

[spuntyb]

Yup. I use Aquapel and Bosch aerotwin wiper blades. Best combo I've found and no shudder. It sounds like yours got applied a little thick and some needs to be removed.

[Climb Mode]

I use Aquapel and it is absolutely tremendous. We have gotten a ton of heavy rain in the past few months (New England) and as long as I'm over ~40mph I don't need wipers AT ALL. Slower speeds only necessitate a sweep every 30-60 secs. Phenomenal product. I need to reapply every few months though.

[LiquidMercury]

Used Rain-X for years on my other cars, but haven't on my BMW, yet. Only ever used the applicant that you wipe directly onto the windshield though, and never the just of wiper fluid that has the Rain-X mixed in it.

Were you using it in windshield fluid and poured directly into your reservoir to that whenever it was raining you sprayed it through your wipers then had these issues, or did you apply the Rain-X directly to your windshield and let it dry then buff off so that when it rains, it's beads automatically? Confused on your direct application is why I'm asking.

[enjoythemusic]

RainX is fine, and i treat the wiper blades with 303 Protectant. Maybe that is the trick, use 303 on the blades? BTW, 303 is great for all the rubber seals, etc too.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Have not had any issues with Rain-X or any other washer fluid. Usually just buy what ever is available when I run low.

Sooner or later you'll have a problem using Rain-X fluid. The tank level sensor isn't mechanical, it's electrical, measuring current flow between contacts in the fluid to confirm the fluid level. Rain-X eventually coats the sensors with an insulating material that prevents the sensors from working. They'll register that the tank is low, and eventually empty, even if it's full. To prevent system damage when it registers as empty the washer pump won't run.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

The Rain-X class action thing was back in 2015 in NJ. Anything ever happen?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

The Rain-X class action thing was back in 2015 in NJ. Anything ever happen?

It probably got dismissed, if it even got to the first stages of litigation, as it had no basis. The claim was that Rain-X caused electrically monitored level indicators to malfunction. That much is true. The problem with the claim is that Rain-X was on the market long before the appearance of electrically monitored level indicators, so if there was a fault it was with manufacturers who didn't make sure that their new systems weren't compatible with an existing product that was already widely in use. If anything the suit should have been leveled at BMW et al for failure to warn users not to use Rain-X. Since BMW for one does say in their manuals to use BMW’s Windshield Washer Concentrate or the equivalent their ass was covered, so the lawyers decided not go after them. As for the lawyers, their motives are highly questionable, to say the least. If you search the law offices involved they appear to be classic ambulance chasers.