E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Cosmetic Care & Detailing (PPF/Wash/Wax/Detailing/Restoration/Repairs) > Windshield rain coatings??



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-13-2024, 03:10 PM   #1
Droz537
Registered
Droz537's Avatar
4
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2022 840i XDrive Gran Coupe
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Birmingham, AL

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Windshield rain coatings??

I searched around but didn't find what I'm looking for....

What products are you guys using on your front windshields for better water repellency in the rain. Like Rain X but for adults. (although if you apply Rain X every week it works awesome!!!)

Ceramic coating?
PPF on the windshield?
Just very clean windows?
Others?

Thanks
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2024, 04:18 PM   #2
TboneS54
YNWA
TboneS54's Avatar
United_States
1197
Rep
908
Posts

Drives: '04 M3 6MT, '11 M3 DCT, '22 X7
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

I take my coating applicator and "wipe off" towel and use them to wipe the glass at the end of coating the whole car. Then, later, "recharge" type sio2 products are used throughout the year to maintain protection/water behavior. As waterless/rinseless or drying aid type of applications.
__________________
/// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options
/// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
Appreciate 1
Chemnav41.00
      06-13-2024, 05:46 PM   #3
Mason Hatcher
Captain
United_States
1158
Rep
712
Posts

Drives: BMW X3
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FW-TX

iTrader: (0)

Never again. I applied Rain X once. It caused any humidity to stick to the windshield along with anything else in the air. It was awful. Nothing would remove it, either. It was so bad that I had the windshield replaced.
Appreciate 3
vreihen1620750.00
      06-13-2024, 07:25 PM   #4
Redd
Brigadier General
4235
Rep
4,426
Posts

Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Malaysia

iTrader: (0)

Rain-X sucks. Difficult to apply and doesn't last. I use Glaco Ultra by Soft99. It was originally designed for aircraft windshields. Very easy to apply and lasts very long.
Appreciate 1
      06-13-2024, 07:33 PM   #5
DanG
Major General
DanG's Avatar
United_States
11468
Rep
7,148
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [8.01]
One word. Don’t. It messes up the intermittent wipers.
__________________
BMWCCA member Puget Sound Chapter
Appreciate 3
wrevilo85.00
vreihen1620750.00
      06-13-2024, 07:50 PM   #6
louielouie
Major
United_States
730
Rep
1,196
Posts

Drives: '18 F80
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Los Angeles

iTrader: (13)

I did a lot of research on this before and went with Angelwax H2Go. I'm in LA so it lasts our 3 months of winter. No wiper chatter or rain sensor issues either.
Appreciate 1
chris7197601.00
      06-13-2024, 07:51 PM   #7
John in VA
Colonel
1176
Rep
2,419
Posts

Drives: 2015 228i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Leesburg, VA

iTrader: (6)

I've used RainX for 40+ years without issues - the "real" stuff, not the windshield/glass cleaner, following the instructions. Tried AquaPel once with poor results. Got some free samples of Griot's ceramic glass cleaner - doesn't work as well as RainX. Adam's H2O Guard & Gloss works well on paint, glass & trim - not as good as RainX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9iR...el=ProjectFarm
__________________
____________________________________________
2015 BMW 228i in EstorilBlau II Metallic / Terra Dakota Leather - 6-speed manual, M Sport Package, Cold Weather Package, Lighting Package, Premium Package, Harman Kardon premium sound, Anti-theft alarm system, Blue Metallic Matt Accent Moldings, Aluminum Hexagon Interior Strips, Anthracite Headlining
Appreciate 5
1and11917.50
TheMocc57.00
M5Rick68975.00
Llarry21602.50
DrVenture1319.00
      06-13-2024, 09:49 PM   #8
Clark_Kent
Lieutenant Colonel
Clark_Kent's Avatar
2307
Rep
1,916
Posts

Drives: Retired
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Atlanta, GA

iTrader: (0)

I ceramic coated my windshield and I top it off with Gtechniq C2V3 a few times a year. On a previous vehicle I used Wolf's Ceramic Glass Sealant. It works incredibly well and I highly recommend it.
Appreciate 2
chris7197601.00
Llarry21602.50
      06-13-2024, 10:59 PM   #9
1and1
Loves me some MHD!
1and1's Avatar
United_States
1918
Rep
1,759
Posts

Drives: faster than he should...
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Tally, FL

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
'09 135i  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by John in VA View Post
I've used RainX for 40+ years without issues - the "real" stuff, not the windshield/glass cleaner, following the instructions...
Same here. Apply correctly and it works great.
__________________
1and1
135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla
. . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's
X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 02:25 AM   #10
NealfromNZ
Captain
NealfromNZ's Avatar
New Zealand
774
Rep
765
Posts

Drives: 2016 F80 M3
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

There is some coating on my windshield. Water either beads off or clumps around drivers vision line and wipers seem to float above it. Thinking about some kind of cutting compound to deal to it. Never had an issue with cars before with just simple glass cleaner.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 06:19 AM   #11
M5Rick
General
M5Rick's Avatar
68975
Rep
22,150
Posts

Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: GB

iTrader: (0)

Rain X perfect for me, I wouldn't dream of putting ceramic on it.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 06:51 AM   #12
c1pher
Primo Generalissimo
c1pher's Avatar
United_States
5037
Rep
4,188
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DC area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Glaco is what everyone is raving about now. I will be ordering some to check it out myself.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 06:52 AM   #13
slilley
Private First Class
87
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2023 X5, plus others
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Reading PA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by John in VA View Post
I've used RainX for 40+ years without issues - the "real" stuff, not the windshield/glass cleaner, following the instructions.
Same here, although I've only been using it for ~35 years! I just reapplied it to my cars earlier this week. I find it lasts up to 2-3 months on the windshield depending on the amount of rain the car sees (far longer on the side and back windows), and most of my cars are parked outside. When I pick up rental cars for road trips, they get a coating as well. And I've even taken a small bottle of RainX to Europe for use on those rental cars.

Application process is easy: (1) clean and dry windows using any method (paper towels, newspaper, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser), (2) apply RainX with a clean, dry paper towel; I usually apply it twice to make sure I didn't miss any areas, (3) get a couple paper towels wet and wipe the entire window with them, and (4) dry the window with more paper towels.

I used to avoid the very top-center of the windshield where the rain sensor is, but all the newer sensors do a better job so I just apply RainX directly over them now.

Definitely avoid the RainX product you add to the windshield wiper fluid - I've heard nothing good about that stuff.
Appreciate 1
John in VA1176.00
      06-14-2024, 07:49 AM   #14
///MPhatic
The Seeker
///MPhatic's Avatar
15370
Rep
3,838
Posts

Drives: OG M2 • Exige
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: USA

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [8.75]
As soon as this video starts you're going to want to hit mute, then skip to the end where he gives the stats. This guy is beyond annoying, like Doug Demuro but in a different way because it's rapid-fire-until-you-choke info, but he does good tests.

Appreciate 2
John in VA1176.00
slilley87.00
      06-14-2024, 07:50 AM   #15
RCKYMTN M34OI
Private First Class
49
Rep
107
Posts

Drives: 2020 M340i
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Denver,co

iTrader: (0)

Adams glass sealant has worked great for me. I've tested different ceramic coatings on windshields and they work well- but tend to bead water on the windshield and don't "release" them off the windshield as quickly as a dedicated glass sealant- so there is a difference. With Adams glass sealant the beads fly off the windshield at ~45mph keeping the windshield free
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 09:01 PM   #16
Navin_Johnson
Private
United_States
35
Rep
50
Posts

Drives: 2024 m240i xdrive
Join Date: Feb 2024
Location: Chicago NW suburbs

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by slilley View Post
Same here, although I've only been using it for ~35 years!..................
..............Definitely avoid the RainX product you add to the windshield wiper fluid - I've heard nothing good about that stuff.
I'm the same as you other old timers, probably about 40 years usage or so. I will disagree with the comment about the RainX concentrate you add into the fluid container. I found that product probably 10 years ago, and have used it in the wife's car and mine. It's lasted so long since it's concentrated that I just had to search around to find my second bottle. I find that it is works like a "topper" and just boosts the performance of the wipe on product. At highway speeds there is no need to use the wipers because the water just rolls off the top of the windshield. On the one car with rain sensing wipers, it doesn't affect their operation at all.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 09:34 PM   #17
Rich.Wolfson
Thaumaturge
185
Rep
219
Posts

Drives: 2014 M235i
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Caldwell, NJ

iTrader: (0)

I use Aquapel. But I have found that if I buy it from Amazon or eBay it's counterfeit so I buy it direct from PGW in Pittsburg. It lasts way longer than RainX and works great if you apply it to a clean windshield.

///Rich
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2024, 09:54 PM   #18
MADBMWX5MC
Colonel
MADBMWX5MC's Avatar
United_States
1569
Rep
2,183
Posts

Drives: 2023 BMW X5MC
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M5Rick View Post
Rain X perfect for me, I wouldn't dream of putting ceramic on it.
Same here, no issues with Rain X for many years.
__________________
2023 BMW X5MC Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Black
2006 Ford Mustang GT Convertible (show car)
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2024, 01:39 AM   #19
spazzz
Private First Class
spazzz's Avatar
162
Rep
180
Posts

Drives: 2008 535xi MHD&XHP,2013 X1 35i
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Madison,WI

iTrader: (0)

CarPro Ceriglass with a CarPro 5 inch rayon pad followed by FlyBy30.
Its cheap at $22.00 for 50ml and works the way I want it to. I usually do a once a year treatment and it holds up,
It does not like Elixir on top of it. Anything funky I use as a topper that hits the glass is easily removed with Eraser
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2024, 08:46 AM   #20
slilley
Private First Class
87
Rep
100
Posts

Drives: 2023 X5, plus others
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Reading PA

iTrader: (0)

Great review - thanks for sharing! I've never seen such a thorough testing of the products. Good to know that there are options, but I'm going to stick with RainX because it's cheap, easy, and fairly effective. This is what he said about RainX in the conclusions: "If you are trying to make every dollar count and it's about performance and price, the RainX is a clear winner. At a price of $10 for 7 ounces, which is less than half the price of the top three brands, it still performed extremely well." I'll just have to remember to reapply it a little more often than any of the pricier three leaders (Gtechniq, Aquapel, and Gyeon, in that order).

Here are the final scores:
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 1
jkoral1133.50
      06-15-2024, 02:07 PM   #21
bosstones
Lieutenant Colonel
1245
Rep
1,596
Posts

Drives: o_0
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Suburbia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by c1pher View Post
Glaco is what everyone is raving about now. I will be ordering some to check it out myself.
I've been curious about it as well. Please share your thoughts when able.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2024, 02:18 PM   #22
Hagasan41
First Lieutenant
Hagasan41's Avatar
United_States
334
Rep
387
Posts

Drives: 2013 E92 ///M3, 1999 E36 ///M3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Florida

iTrader: (1)

Carpro Clarify PH₂OBIC. So far it’s been great and I’ve been using with no sealant as I ran out of Wolf’s. Easy on off application and smells good. Lol
__________________
2013 E92 M3 |Space Grey | Fox Red | Manual
1999 E36 M3 |Hellrot Red | Black | Manual

IG: @moya_M3
Appreciate 2
spazzz162.00
chris7197601.00
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:16 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST