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rain repelling windshield

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by mister2cool, Oct 10, 2019.

  1. mister2cool

    mister2cool Member

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    My gen 2 had windshield that was rain repelling and it worked exceptionally well. I hardly needed to use wiper while driving on highway as water would just beads up and get pushed right toff by air. When did they stop doing that?
     
    #1 mister2cool, Oct 10, 2019
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    I had a gen 2 and don’t remember such a feature.
    Was it one of those overpriced dealer addons?
     
    #2 schja01, Oct 10, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2019
  3. Tickwood

    Tickwood Active Member

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    Not on my 2004 either, maybe somebody put some kind of coating on it, (Rain-X?)
     
    #3 Tickwood, Oct 10, 2019
    davecook89t likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my 04 and 08 didn't have it
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 10, 2019
  5. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    Right, Rain-X works well on our 2007, but only at highway speeds, and I've had to re-apply it a couple of times.
     
    #5 davecook89t, Oct 10, 2019
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Some windshield washer fluids have a rain repellent additive. Maybe even some wipers.
     
    #6 Trollbait, Oct 10, 2019
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The previous owner may have added rain-x.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Oct 10, 2019
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    We have or have had three gen 2 Prii and none were rain repelling.
     
    #8 jerrymildred, Oct 11, 2019
  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    On PRIME, at least for 2017 model, the front side window HAS water-repellent coating, but not on the windshield AFAIK.

    water repellent.png
     
    #9 Salamander_King, Oct 11, 2019
    SFO and jerrymildred like this.
  10. mister2cool

    mister2cool Member

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    The Gen2 was my parents' car. I was surprised by the windshield as well when I first took it over and was impressed that they treated it with RainX, although I know they are the type who would not even know the difference between water and washer fluid. As time passed, I realize that wasn't rainX because the repelling property never faded away as normal treatment would have.
    No other windshield I have come across behaved this way. Oh well. the car came from FL. if it was a dealer or aftermarket treatment, I'd very much like to know what it was because it worked REALLY well.
     
    #10 mister2cool, Oct 11, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2019
  11. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    I wax my windows. I use Collinite.
    Have to have super clean windows and apply very minimal wax and buff as much as you can.

    But left with super repellent windows that last a decent amount of time.

    If you dont do it correctly you are left with a mess.
     
    #11 dig4dirt, Oct 11, 2019
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    #12 Trollbait, Oct 11, 2019
  13. m8547

    m8547 Senior Member

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    The windshield on my prime beads water better than other cars I've seen, but it doesn't look like rainx. Maybe it has a subtle treatment?

    I tried rainx on the back, and it turned into a gummy mess as dirt collected on it. I've used it somewhat successfully on other cars without it collecting so much dirt, so I'm not sure what went wrong. Maybe because the rear is relatively flat, rain and dirt collect while I'm not driving and then can't self-clean. Either way it doesn't last long enough to be worth it, maybe 2-4 weeks.

    I've also tried collinite 845, but the beading effect isn't as strong as rainx and it doesn't last very long. Maybe a month.

    I'm interested in trying aquapel, but probably just for the rear.
     
    #13 m8547, Oct 11, 2019
  14. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    I like Aquapel on all car windows. It does not put on the same type of film as Rain-X and lasts much longer. I had one car that I used Rain-X on the windshield and discovered that the windshield was at just the wrong angle. The Rain-X film created bad glare from oncoming lights at night. I've had no problems with the Prime and Aquapel. eBay vendors have good prices for Aquapel.

    All these products put some sort of coating on the glass.
     
    #14 PT Guy, Oct 12, 2019
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