Rain repellent washer additive

Scaleybrat · 02-15-2019, 09:08 AM

Has anyone used the Rain-X product or one of its competitors? You just add it to your washer bottle and every time you squirt, the windscreen gets a coating of rain repellent. Is it any good or a waste of money and is there a preferred product? I’m thinking of adding it into my wife’s Qashqai washer bottle and let it be the guinea pig first but thought I’d see if anybody had any views, positive or negative.

C320 · 02-15-2019, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scaleybrat

Has anyone used the Rain-X product or one of its competitors? You just add it to your washer bottle and every time you squirt, the windscreen gets a coating of rain repellent. Is it any good or a waste of money and is there a preferred product? I’m thinking of adding it into my wife’s Qashqai washer bottle and let it be the guinea pig first but thought I’d see if anybody had any views, positive or negative.

Never used one like that but I’ve used the traditional Rain X product on previous vehicles windscreens and side mirrrors. That’s the one you apply by hand, rubbing it onto the screen. I’ve been impressed with it, however having said that I’ve not used it recently as I don’t see the need so much now as wiper blades are so much better now.

RoarinRow · 02-15-2019, 10:06 AM

I use Rain-X. Creates a nice slippery surface so rain just beads off easily.

Harryg · 02-15-2019, 10:27 AM

Rain-x is very good but you need to prep the windscreen first to make it long lasting it does a really good job, never tried the stuff you put in the washer bottle

Watsey · 02-15-2019, 01:05 PM

I've used repellents on the windscreen itself but would be very hesitant to use a washer bottle additive.

How will the car look when repellent has splashed over the headlights, areas of bonnet, areas of front windows, roof, etc ?

mikeoz · 02-15-2019, 01:16 PM

Not sure how effective the washer system rain X would be? It must be heavily diluted and your not rubbing in like the standard product... Just blasting ...

RoShambolt · 02-15-2019, 01:48 PM

I like the Gtechniq G1 for the windscreen and G5 for the side windows. Fairly cheap considering it lasts ages and beads like mad. After sheet rinse the windows are basically bone dry.

thescouselander · 02-15-2019, 05:20 PM

Don't do it! It's ok while it's working but if it runs out and you go back to the normal stuff you'll get smears everywhere.

Soul_Glo · 02-16-2019, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoShambolt

I like the Gtechniq G1 for the windscreen and G5 for the side windows. Fairly cheap considering it lasts ages and beads like mad. After sheet rinse the windows are basically bone dry.

+1 there have been times on the motorway where I haven't had to use wipers as the rain beads up and over so quickly. I wonder if it's actually designed for classic cars without wipers?!

sspade · 02-16-2019, 07:57 AM

BMW recommends against adding anything to the washer reservoir. Apparently these additives can leave a film on the washer level sensor, rendering it useless.

Scaleybrat · 02-16-2019, 11:31 AM

Mmm, general

Wasn’t even contemplating putting it into the F30 but think I’ll pass on using it in the Qashqai as well.

02-15-2019, 09:08 AM	#1
Scaleybrat Private First Class 57 Rep 125 Posts Drives: F30 340i M Sport (now gone) Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dundee iTrader: (0)	Rain repellent washer additive Has anyone used the Rain-X product or one of its competitors? You just add it to your washer bottle and every time you squirt, the windscreen gets a coating of rain repellent. Is it any good or a waste of money and is there a preferred product? I’m thinking of adding it into my wife’s Qashqai washer bottle and let it be the guinea pig first but thought I’d see if anybody had any views, positive or negative.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-15-2019, 10:06 AM	#3
RoarinRow Private First Class 66 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Glacier Silver Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Elk Grove, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [0.00] 2014 BMW X1 [0.00]	I use Rain-X. Creates a nice slippery surface so rain just beads off easily. __________________ 2012 328i Sedan - Glacier Silver - 18" Toyo Proxes 4 Plus Tires with Nürburgring Metal Grey Rims, H&R Sport Springs, VRSF Intercooler, JB+, aFe Air Filter, Magnaflow Exhaust, Carbon Fiber accents, SS Pedals, Bavsound System, BMW CCA member since 2015. First Bimmer - 2000 Z3 M. Second Bimmer - 2014 X1 sDrive28.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 10:27 AM	#4
Harryg Captain 276 Rep 777 Posts Drives: BMW 4series Grand Coupe Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Here iTrader: (0)	Rain-x is very good but you need to prep the windscreen first to make it long lasting it does a really good job, never tried the stuff you put in the washer bottle
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 01:05 PM	#5
Watsey Major General 6407 Rep 8,496 Posts Drives: F31 330D sDrive M Sport Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: On sabbatical. iTrader: (1)	I've used repellents on the windscreen itself but would be very hesitant to use a washer bottle additive. How will the car look when repellent has splashed over the headlights, areas of bonnet, areas of front windows, roof, etc ? __________________ Current : F31 330sD, remapped, Ohlins Road & Track, Millway camber plates, Quaife LSD, Stoptech brakes + Pagid RSL1 pads all round, Weichers front strut brace, Eibach front & rear anti-roll bars, Michelin MP4S.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 01:16 PM	#6
mikeoz Major General 2856 Rep 5,607 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40d LCI Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: cambs iTrader: (1)	Not sure how effective the washer system rain X would be? It must be heavily diluted and your not rubbing in like the standard product... Just blasting ...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-15-2019, 01:48 PM	#7
RoShambolt Captain 351 Rep 725 Posts Drives: Looking Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Beds iTrader: (0)	I like the Gtechniq G1 for the windscreen and G5 for the side windows. Fairly cheap considering it lasts ages and beads like mad. After sheet rinse the windows are basically bone dry.
	Appreciate 1 isleaiw18769.50 Quote

02-15-2019, 05:20 PM	#8
thescouselander Captain 206 Rep 624 Posts Drives: G20 330i Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Don't do it! It's ok while it's working but if it runs out and you go back to the normal stuff you'll get smears everywhere.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-16-2019, 07:57 AM	#10
sspade Major General 2465 Rep 5,456 Posts Drives: F30 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Stevenson, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2016 BMW 320i [7.87] 2014 BMW 328i [6.83]	BMW recommends against adding anything to the washer reservoir. Apparently these additives can leave a film on the washer level sensor, rendering it useless.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-16-2019, 11:31 AM	#11
Scaleybrat Private First Class 57 Rep 125 Posts Drives: F30 340i M Sport (now gone) Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dundee iTrader: (0)	Mmm, general Wasn’t even contemplating putting it into the F30 but think I’ll pass on using it in the Qashqai as well.
	Appreciate 0 Quote