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Definitely need a rear window wiper

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Lee Jay, May 21, 2019.

  1. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    The missing rear window wiper is a big problem for me this time of year. Snow accumulates while driving and no matter what speed you are going it won't blow off.

    Spring snow in Colorado is very wet and very sticky. It will stick to vertical surfaces and even to the underside of surfaces if the wind blows it up under a soffit or similar.

    I just took this picture. This is a string, about 1/8 of an inch in diameter. The snow cylinder is around 4 inches in diameter. You'd have to drive about Mach 1 to get this stuff to just blow off the rear window.

    upload_2019-5-21_8-46-35.png
     
  2. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    When I get the wet sticky snow on my back window, I just wipe it off and turn on the defroster. The remaining and new snow melts right off. Putting Rain-X on the window also minimizes sticking.

    My Prime has seen dry snow, wet snow, in-the-middle snow and once the window is cleared by hand it stays clear while I'm in the car.
     
  3. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Not me.

    I've had it start clear (like this morning - it was in an insulated garage all night) and accumulate while I'm moving even with the rear defroster running.
     
  4. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Have you treated the glass with anything like Rain-X or similar?
     
  5. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Yes...with Rain-X.
     
  6. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    One more thing that may help - clean the window and polish it with 0000 steel wool, then reapply the Rain-X. This will make the glass as slippery as possible. But, even that may not resolve the problem you are having. You could try the Mach 1 approach though, but mileage will suffer accordingly...
     
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  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Wow! Snow, now? It's the end of May. The official start of the summer is in just a week. :eek::eek::eek:
    I never felt needs for rear wiper even during sticky snow. None of my previous sedans had a rear wiper, and I did fine. Prius has very bad rear view window to begin with, and I often have so much cargo in the back blocking the rear view anyway.;)
     
    #7 Salamander_King, May 21, 2019
    Last edited: May 21, 2019
  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Here's what I do to all the glass, a couple of times each year:



    Works like a charm. (I used to do the 0000 steel wool/Rain-X treatment, but this is even better. I've been doing it this way for the past 4 -years. Thank you Chris Fix! :)
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how often?
     
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  10. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Any time we get a wet snow. Probably 10 times a year.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is there a way to put a wiper on the curved glass? looks problematic.
     
  12. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Twice: beginning of summer, and beginning of winter! :)
     
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  13. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Yes - double arm like on a bus.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't have the energy to do that twice a year. i rarely clean my windscreen to begin with. maybe once a year with windex and paper towels. does an awful job, but gets most of the plastic buildup from the dashboard
     
  15. smyles

    smyles Active Member

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    Wait, I thought global warming will take care of snow... has it been cancelled?
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not at all, it's turned everything to rain around here
     
  17. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    This does not appear to be the case.
    upload_2019-5-21_14-32-44.png
     
  18. m8547

    m8547 Senior Member

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    Has anyone used Aquapel or any longer lasting treatment? Rainx doesn't last very long, and wax isn't much better in my experience.
     
  19. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    At $3 - $5 for an application to less than the entire car (perhaps front and rear windows at most per applicator), Aquapel is pretty pricey compared to a $4 bottle of Rain-X. I'd be interested to hear how long it lasts in the real world. I get a few months out of Rain X.
     
    #19 jb in NE, May 21, 2019
    Last edited: May 21, 2019
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  20. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Well, there's always:

    [​IMG]

    …or what about using some CleanCoal?
     
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