RainEx Haze Removal?

PriusDad · 05-01-2006, 01:49 AM

So I decided to RainEx the windows on our new Prius, but I've come to regret that decision. There is now a hazy film that's especially noticable when driving into the sun. The odd thing is, I've never seen this on our other cars.

In any case, I can't seem to get the darn stuff off the windows, now that it's on there. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing the RainEx haze from car windows?

Also, is there some other product that repels water and protects the windows like RainEx does, but doesn't leave that hazy film?

Thanks,

Peter.

Vincent · 05-01-2006, 06:05 AM

PriusDad - RainX
I've been using RainX on my 06 windshield for 5 months without any problems. Did you perform the last step and wipe off the dried haze with a sprinkle of water and a paper towel?

I clean my windows with Hope's Perfect Glass and a cotton towel and I use the dry side of the towel to clean off any streaks. Are you sure the haze isn't on the inside of the windshield?

Hope this helps.

Tom_06 · 05-01-2006, 07:02 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusDad @ May 1 2006, 01:49 AM) [snapback]247822[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So I decided to RainEx the windows on our new Prius, but I've come to regret that decision. There is now a hazy film that's especially noticable when driving into the sun. The odd thing is, I've never seen this on our other cars.

In any case, I can't seem to get the darn stuff off the windows, now that it's on there. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing the RainEx haze from car windows?

Also, is there some other product that repels water and protects the windows like RainEx does, but doesn't leave that hazy film?

Thanks,

Peter.
[/b]

To get Rain-X off (or anything else that's stubborn) I use a glass polish. You can get this from Zaino Brothers or from Griot's Garage. Griot's used to have a mild and more agressive formulation. I have also seen Clay Bar recommended in Audi service bulletins - they say to not use it on paint after using it for glass.

I gave up on Rain-X a few years ago when I discovered Aqua-Pel from PPG. It seems to last a lot longer and doesn't have as much haze left behind by the wipers in light rain. I can get away with putting it on twice a year. I have had Rain-X seem to wear out after only a day or two of all-day driving in the rain on a long trip.

I have noticed that the windshield of the Prius seems to have a layer of quiet air on it that doesn't drive off the water when you are using Rain-X or Aqual-Pel. On other cars, the wind sluices the water droplets right off and you hardly need the wipers. This seems to not happen as much on my 2006 Prius.

- Tom

**efusco** · 05-01-2006, 08:50 AM

I like Rain-X and haven't had any trouble with it wearing off unless I go through a car was or something.

I find that it takes some agressive rubbing to get the haze completely off, and almost without fail I'll have some spot that just doesn't quite get cleared up. But by the first rain it clear itself.

galaxee · 05-01-2006, 09:40 AM

i clean the windshields with stoner's invisible glass, apply rain-x, and clean again with the invisible glass. i also clean the inside of the front windshield with invisible glass. works great for me and i'm really picky about windshield clarity.

the raindrops bead up and fly right up and off to the side on my 05, i haven't had any problems with that at all. i reapply every 4-6 months.

PriusDad · 05-01-2006, 12:52 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 1 2006, 05:50 AM) [snapback]247885[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I like Rain-X and haven't had any trouble with it wearing off unless I go through a car was or something.

I find that it takes some agressive rubbing to get the haze completely off, and almost without fail I'll have some spot that just doesn't quite get cleared up. But by the first rain it clear itself.
[/b]

Believe me... I've rubbed and rubbed and rubbed. It looks from the outside like the window is absolutely clear.... no streaks... but when I'm inside, and daylight is shining through (especially if the sun is towards the front), I see this milky, streaky haze. Bugs the heck out of me.

Peter.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vincent @ May 1 2006, 03:05 AM) [snapback]247857[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

PriusDad - RainX
I've been using RainX on my 06 windshield for 5 months without any problems. Did you perform the last step and wipe off the dried haze with a sprinkle of water and a paper towel?

I clean my windows with Hope's Perfect Glass and a cotton towel and I use the dry side of the towel to clean off any streaks. Are you sure the haze isn't on the inside of the windshield?

Hope this helps.
[/b]

I had not actually performed the last step with water, but I definitely used a paper towel. I'll have to try that. And no, the haze is on the outside. The first time I noticed it was after applying RainEx, which I only apply to the outside of the window.

Peter.

koa · 05-01-2006, 01:25 PM

First, make sure that haze is not on the inside of your windshield. Sometimes it's hard to tell, wipe the inside where you see it and see if it changes. If it's on the outside use a little Joy dish soap and water, then squeegee it off and buff with a cotton towel.

naterprius · 05-01-2006, 01:31 PM

Brake Cleaner. We used to use it all the time at the dealership. Spray the rag, not the windshield. Keep it off of the mouldings and the plastics!

Nate

hobbit · 05-01-2006, 02:42 PM

You're *supposed* to take that final pass with a dry towel, which
effectively polishes the surface of the wax that rain-x effectively
is. Just like any other wax.
.
_H*

bagwell · 05-01-2006, 03:13 PM

I think the haze IS on the inside as a previous poster has implied...

Just got my 06 and the RAINX actually cleaned/cleared (outside) my windshield significantly. I know this because I only treat 75% of the windshield (starting from the left) so I can really see the stuff working in the rain. After I washed the car the treated portion looks way clearer/cleaner than the untreated portion.

Also, I noticed the plastics are really emitting gases that make the inside of the windows, ALL OF THEM, hazy.

I love the RAINX stuff, I never use the wipers.

05-01-2006, 01:49 AM	#1
PriusDad Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 48 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	So I decided to RainEx the windows on our new Prius, but I've come to regret that decision. There is now a hazy film that's especially noticable when driving into the sun. The odd thing is, I've never seen this on our other cars. In any case, I can't seem to get the darn stuff *off* the windows, now that it's on there. Does anyone have any suggestions for removing the RainEx haze from car windows? Also, is there some other product that repels water and protects the windows like RainEx does, but doesn't leave that hazy film? Thanks, Peter. __________________ '06 Black Prius w/NW Package - NAV System - Backup Camera - Side Curtain Airbags - Emergency Kit - Grey Leather - Cargo Net - Mats Mods: - Fwd Cargo Net Mod - Coastal-Tech EV Mod - Coastal-Tech Mud Flaps - Sigma Screen Protector - All Weather Cargo Mat - VG Shark-fin Antenna - BT Stiffening Plate - Racing Hub Caps (in-progress)

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05-01-2006, 06:05 AM	#2
Vincent Don't Wait Until Tomorrow Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 635 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Navigation Thanks: 0 Thanked 21 Times in 13 Posts Friends: 0	PriusDad - RainX I've been using RainX on my 06 windshield for 5 months without any problems. Did you perform the last step and wipe off the dried haze with a sprinkle of water and a paper towel? I clean my windows with Hope's Perfect Glass and a cotton towel and I use the dry side of the towel to clean off any streaks. Are you sure the haze isn't on the inside of the windshield? Hope this helps.

05-01-2006, 08:50 AM	#4
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	I like Rain-X and haven't had any trouble with it wearing off unless I go through a car was or something. I find that it takes some agressive rubbing to get the haze completely off, and almost without fail I'll have some spot that just doesn't quite get cleared up. But by the first rain it clear itself.

05-01-2006, 09:40 AM	#5
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 94 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	i clean the windshields with stoner's invisible glass, apply rain-x, and clean again with the invisible glass. i also clean the inside of the front windshield with invisible glass. works great for me and i'm really picky about windshield clarity. the raindrops bead up and fly right up and off to the side on my 05, i haven't had any problems with that at all. i reapply every 4-6 months.

05-01-2006, 01:25 PM	#7
koa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 913 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts Friends: 0	First, make sure that haze is not on the inside of your windshield. Sometimes it's hard to tell, wipe the inside where you see it and see if it changes. If it's on the outside use a little Joy dish soap and water, then squeegee it off and buff with a cotton towel.

05-01-2006, 01:31 PM	#8
naterprius Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,831 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Brake Cleaner. We used to use it all the time at the dealership. Spray the rag, not the windshield. Keep it off of the mouldings and the plastics! Nate

05-01-2006, 02:42 PM	#9
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 3,619 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 216 Times in 118 Posts Friends: 0	You're supposed to take that final pass with a dry towel, which effectively polishes the surface of the wax that rain-x effectively is. Just like any other wax. . _H*

05-01-2006, 03:13 PM	#10
bagwell Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: the woodlands, tx Posts: 98 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I think the haze IS on the inside as a previous poster has implied... Just got my 06 and the RAINX actually cleaned/cleared (outside) my windshield significantly. I know this because I only treat 75% of the windshield (starting from the left) so I can really see the stuff working in the rain. After I washed the car the treated portion looks way clearer/cleaner than the untreated portion. Also, I noticed the plastics are really emitting gases that make the inside of the windows, ALL OF THEM, hazy. I love the RAINX stuff, I never use the wipers.