.:How to use Rain-X without streaking:.

Well, through the years I have been using Rain-X, I have tried many different methods, but most resulted in a 'hazing' of the windows from certain angles. Through trial and error, I have found a solid, simple method to apply Rain-X and have it last a WHILE.

Here's what ya do:

Wash your car (this is my method):

What you will need
-(2) 2 Gal. Wash Buckets (Wal-Mart)
-Mother's Gold Car Wash or Meguiar's NXT Car Wash (Wal-Mart)
-2 Soft Cotton Chenille Wash Mitts (Wal-Mart)
-Waffle Weave Microfiber Towel (www.pakshak.com)
-Hose with a multi-nozzle pressure head

What to do
-Hose down your car from top to bottom with moderate pressure. Do not forget to hose down all inside your wheel wells and the underbody as well.
-Use a two bucket method (#1 bucket of water, #2 bucket with roughly 2-3 oz car wash and the rest of water). Begin with both mitts in the soapy water.
-Soap the car up with mitt #1 going from FRoNT to BACK (the way the wind flows over the car) about 3-5 strokes, then flip the mitt and do another 3-5 strokes. Make sure you do 1 panel at a time.
-Throw the dirty mitt into bucket #1 (all water) and let it submerge .
-Repeat the washing step with the second mitt, throw the mitt in bucket #1, then take the first mitt out, put in the soapy water and repeat the washing step.
-After everything is soaped up, let the water run free (no nozzle attachment on) to remove the soap. Letting the water run free allows it to flood the surface and it will sheet off, allowing it to be easier to dry.


Notes
-Doing this 2 bucket/2 mitt method, you allow almost no dirt/contaminents to drag across the surface. The dirt/contaminents get trapped in the pores of the mitt.
-Sponges are terrible because they have very small pores. These pores trap the dirt, then build up as the sponge goes over the surface. Ultimatally causing it to act as a fine grit sand paper over your surface.
-I would personally either buy an extra mitt, or use the mitt AFTER you do the entire car for the rims/wheel wells.
-When you wash these mitts, wash with other "car" towels on warm/reg. detergent and DO NOT dry by machine (just allow to hang dry). I like to wash the mitts after EVERY use, just to make sure all the crap is out of them.
-If you don't want to wait for your WW MF to get there, you CAN use 100% Cotton Terry Towels (Wal-Mart). I would only reccomend using brand new ones for your car and designate them for washing (so nothing else gets in them). I reccomend washing the towels before using (warm water w/ detergent wash and medium machine dry, NO FABRIC SOFTENER).



Anyways, rather than going to directly drying the whole car. You want to just dry all the glass (windows, windsheild, and side mirrors). You can use a WW MF or a 100% Cotton Terry Towel.

When completely dry, take your Rain-X (Wal-Mart for $2.88 - 16oz spray bottle...which is an AMAZING deal) and spray a couple sprays (per piece of glass...repeat is necessary for front and rear windshield and only 1 squirt for the side mirrors) on a cotton applicator pad (also available at Wal-Mart).

Work the dampened applicator into the windows with moderate pressure in tight circles and make sure you overlap your strokes.

After doing all the windows, I usually repeat the same cycle over it to make sure full coverage was achieved.

Allow the windows to dry to a haze for about 10-15 mins. When they are drying, I usually go over the wheel wells with a SEPARATE wash mitt and bucket o' soapy water. Also, this is a good time to get any collected grime off the front end with a little Bug and Tar Remover and wash mitt. You may just want to sit back and crack open a beer/soda.

Before I go to the next step of removing the Rain-X, I take the wash mitt I used on the car's paint and make sure it is clean. Then, I proceed to soap up underneath each piece of glass (windows, windshield, and side mirrors) with the soapy mitt. The reason being it because Rain-X has some properties to it that are not good for your paint. I learned this from a bad experience. While you CAN get it off, this step allows the Rain-X to dilute into the soapy mixture on your paint and safely wash away.

Next, you will want to hose down your vehicle from top to bottom with moderate pressured water. Spend a little extra time on the windows (top to bottom) to allow the excess Rain-X to wash away. Then go over again with the nozzle off to flood the surface which allows the water to sheet off for easier drying.

once hosed down, I take a separate towel and dry the windows off. The water should be tightly beaded from the Rain-X and come off very nicely. once I do the initial dry on the glass, I go over it once more with a dry cloth to buff any excess Rain-X that could cause it to haze.

Now it is safe to go over your entire surface from top to bottom with your Waffle Weave Microfiber or however you like drying your car.


Like I said, this method was developed from trial and error over the years. Try to keep the Rain-X away from paint and plastic/vinyl/rubber pieces. Remember to do this in the SHADE. Many will post..."What about water spots forming over those 10-15 mins". If your car is properly protected (wax or sealant) in the shade, you will have NO PROBLEM. If not, then your next step should be detailing . Good Luck and post any questions or comments you have...right here




All threads should have pics