INTRODUCTION: Loggers, foresters, and other forest industry personnel commonly put in many business miles on the road. Drivers periodically encounter thunderstorms, drizzle, sleet, or other precipitation events that reduce vision through the windshield. It is important to ensure that windshield wipers are in good condition for use in wet weather. Additionally, Rain-X® glass treatment makes a vast improvement over relying solely on wipers to clear the line of sight.
GENERAL FEATURES: I first tried out Rain-X in 1994 after riding in a vehicle driven by former FRA President Richard Lewis. He used Rain-X, and I could see that the product made it much easier to see clearly through the windshield during the rain: The raindrops simply beaded up and sped off the glass. I became an instant Rain-X advocate.
OPERATION: Rain-X glass treatment acts similar to liquid car wax: Spray or squirt the liquid over part of the windshield exterior, spread it and work it with a cloth or a paper towel, give it a moment to dry partially or haze slightly, and then buff it thoroughly with a cloth or paper towel until the window appears clear and shiny—wipe until any streaks are gone. I have found that one application, which takes about 5 minutes to complete, usually lasts about one month. If I have driven through several heavy rain events while on the road for a week or two, it may wear off sooner from all the windshield wiper usage.
APPLICATION: I use Rain-X Original (liquid) when applying it at home. Rain-X glass treatment also is sold as pre-moistened wipes. If I am traveling by air and renting a vehicle, I bring a pre-moistened wipe (enclosed in a small sandwich zipper bag) and two paper towels with me; I apply the wipe before I drive the rental car off the lot if conditions permit. Any regular Rain-X user who has been caught with an untreated windshield even one time while driving a vehicle during a thunderstorm in heavy traffic or in low light conditions can attest to the unsafe feeling he or she gets compared to looking through a windshield treated with Rain-X.
In light rain, the Rain-X wax repels raindrops or other precipitation so effectively that I usually do not need to turn on the wipers. For heavier precipitation, the Rain-X in combination with the wiper usage makes a huge difference in visibility. (This improved visibility in no way diminishes the need to evaluate wet-weather tire traction, hydroplaning, and other road and traffic safety concerns when deciding whether entering onto or remaining on a road is advisable.)
SPECIFICATIONS AND COST: Rain-X glass treatment is sold online, at auto parts stores, and in the auto sections of most department/discount stores. Prices vary from approximately $5 for a small bottle to $15 for a large pack of pre-moistened wipes.
Courtesy Of The Forest Resources Association: https://www.forestresources.org/