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Applying Rain X treatment to your windshield and windows can help them shed water. Rain X makes it much easier to see out of your windows by repelling other elements such as dirt and road debris. However, you may have heard that Rain X treatments can cause your windows to film up and haze, thereby causing a driving hazard.
If you don’t want to give up the benefits of rain repellents, be sure to check out our article on some great Rain-X alternatives.
How to Remove Rain X
Rain X can be removed as easily as it is applied. To remove Rain X, use a cleaning agent such as rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or dishwasher soap. Spray a healthy amount of any degreaser onto a microfiber cloth. Simply rub the degreaser in a circular motion on your vehicle’s glass until it’s clean, switching out microfiber cloths if/when necessary. The glass should be clear when all the Rain X is gone.
What Solutions Get Rain X Off Your Windows
When it’s time to remove Rain X from your windshield, turn to the following solutions. Each of these can also be used on your wiper blades and windshield to clean them, even when a window treatment isn’t applied.
Rubbing Alcohol (IPA)
Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, can be used for a variety of automotive applications. For instance, it’s often used to remove wax from your vehicle, and can be a great prepping tool before you begin buffing. The best part about rubbing alcohol is that it evaporates quickly and leaves little residue.
We recommend using an IPA dilution ratio of about 10%. It’s the most effective and safest ratio, even for the toughest contaminants. Rain X should come off easily with a 10% IPA solution.
Windex
Windex isn’t just for cleaning glass around your home. You can also use it to clean your automotive glass. Windshields and windows alike will gleam like new with a little Windex, a microfiber cloth, and a smidgeon of elbow grease.
Windex can be diluted or used straight, depending on your preference. As you clean your glass with Windex, you can also wipe down rubber mouldings, plastic surrounding trim, and your wiper blades. Dirty wipers oftentimes contribute to a streaky windshield, so keeping your wipers clean can lengthen the life of a clean windshield.
Glass Cleaner
Most glass cleaners are sold in an aerosol can, which makes application quick and easy. Foaming glass cleaners work best for windshields that see a lot of contaminants. The foaming action allows the product to lift away dirt and debris without scratching the glass beneath. Glass cleaners can typically be used on tinted glass as well, without causing any damage.
Car Wash
Removing Rain X doesn’t have to be a chore. You can also drive to the nearest car wash, whether it’s self-serve, drive-thru, and/or touchless. The degreasing agents and soaps should go a long way in breaking down any Rain X still left on your vehicle.
Just remember that if you applied Rain X to your interior windows, a car wash won’t be able to help you there. Unless, of course, you like to live on the wild side.
How to Remove Rain X
Removing Rain X can seem like a monumental task. Windshields aren’t cheap, and who wants to clean their car windows for hours on end? Trust us, there’s an easier way.
If you’re looking for a way to remove Rain X, follow our step-by-step guide below. But first, let’s assemble the necessary ingredients.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you can remove the Rain X on your windshield and windows, gather the following supplies:
- Several dry microfiber cloths
- Rain X removal solution
- Spray bottle
- Car keys
- Your vehicle
It’s easiest to remove Rain X if your car is parked inside a garage or underneath an awning. Sunlight will evaporate any chemicals you use at a faster rate in higher temperatures compared to a cool, covered environment. Good lighting will help you to see if you’ve removed all the product as well.
How to Remove Rain X
From Your WindowsOnce your supplies are gathered, follow the guidelines below to remove Rain X from your vehicle’s windows.
- Step 1: Dilute your Rain X removal solution of choice in a spray bottle, if necessary, and spray it onto a dry microfiber cloth that’s folded in fourths. While you want enough solution on there to dampen the cloth, too much will make more work for you than necessary.
- Step 2: Working in a circular motion, wipe the solution across the glass. You may find it helpful to break the windshield into two sections (driver and passenger sides).
- Step 3: Once the glass is covered, take a dry microfiber cloth folded in fourths and dry your windshield. You can use a circular motion, or a cross-hatch pattern if you like.
- Step 4: Continue this routine around the vehicle, working (a) on exterior surfaces and then interior surfaces, (b) vice versa, or (c) a single window (inside and out) at a time.
Removing Rain X from your vehicle shouldn’t be a hassle, if you’re using the right products.
What is Rain X
You may have heard of Rain X, a window treatment solution that repels water and road debris to keep your windshield and windows clean and clear. After all, if you can’t see the road ahead, you’re not driving safely. When you apply this treatment to your windshield, certain chemicals bond on the surface to create a barrier that doesn’t allow much to stick to it.
Rain X is comprised mainly of a chemical called polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). This particular chemical works like oil to repel water, forcing it to bead up on the treated surface and fall off. While applying this product can bring certain benefits to your driving experience, there might be times when you need to remove this product.
It typically takes Rain X about three months to wear off, depending, of course, on a few factors. How often you wash your car, how often your area gets moisture, and other environmental factors all affect the longevity of Rain X. Wiper blades can reduce the life of your Rain X application, as the wipers create small amounts of friction as they sweep across your windshield.
As we mentioned, Rain X can be a great way to treat your windshield to repel water. However, there are times when you may want to remove this product, such as for reapplication, before tinting your vehicle, or any other reason that might occur.
FAQs on
How to Remove Rain X
You might have heard quite a few rumors about Rain X and removing it from your vehicle’s windshield. Below are many questions surrounding the removal of Rain X and what it can do to your vehicle.
Does Rain X leave a film residue, haze or streaks?
When properly applied, Rain X does not leave a film residue. However, as time goes on and the treatment breaks down, a residue can appear. This is caused by road debris sticking to the untreated
Can Rain X go bad?
Like many chemicals, Rain X doesn’t necessarily “go bad,” it just becomes less effective. Rain X reports their products are best used within one to two years of purchase. The product is still good to use after that, it just may not perform as well as fresh product.
Can Rain X ruin my windshield?
Rain X cannot ruin your windows or windshield. However, you should know that Rain X is to be used on glass that is free from tint. Tinted windows that get Rain X on them could see discoloration or damage, depending on the tint film composition.
It is possible to apply Rain X externally to windows that are tinted. Window tint adheres to the interior side of the glass, so any products on the exterior won’t affect the tint itself. Factory dyed glass, on the other hand, shouldn’t be affected by this product, since the dye is within the glass particles themselves.
Is it hard to remove Rain X?
Nope! In fact, you can easily remove it with any of the methods we’ve mentioned above. In just a few minutes, you can get Rain X off your windows with very little effort involved.
Now that you know a bit more about how to remove it, you should be more comfortable applying it to your vehicle.
Rid Your Windows of Rain X
Did you enjoy our tutorial on how to remove Rain X? We hope you’ve found the information useful for your life, especially when it comes to treating your car with and removing Rain X. Products like Rain X can improve visibility on the road in wet and adverse conditions. At the same time, Rain X can be easily removed with common chemicals found in your home, no experience necessary.
We hope you share this article with your friends and help them separate fact from fiction when it comes to applying and removing Rain X. Don’t be afraid to use Rain X to alleviate water and road debris build-up. It’s a non-permanent solution you can remove at any time, with little hassle.
