Driving visibility is always important, even more so when we are towing our RV and faced with longer stopping distances. Rain-X (http://goo.gl/rhupR2) is a product that enhances our safety as we travel down the highway. It improves visibility when we are driving in the rain. This can be the difference between a safe tow and a terrible accident.
Quite simply, we spray Rain-X on our windshields to repel rain. Rain-X claims to possess “water beading technology.” Yes, somewhere in this world is a laboratory where Swedish scientists in white coats are dedicating their lives to the science of water beading. I jest, but the science of hydrophobia is legit and has many important applications. This is one.
Original Rain-X is a proven product, and enhances safety when towing or driving an RV in the rain. (Click the pic for more info.)
With a good coating of classic Rain-X, drops of rain bead and run off the windshield. In theory you can drive in light rain without using windshield wipers at all. (I don’t recommend you do so, but it is possible.) The rain simply beads and runs off your windshield.
I know that classic Rain-X works. A few years ago, we experienced a complete failure of our windshield wipers (while driving a car, not our truck SEEMORE) during a rainstorm. We bought some Rain-X and made it through the day just fine.
A side benefit of Rain-X is that it helps reduce bugs on your windshield, too. It may not completely repel the carnage (sadly, there’s no “bug beading technology”) but it helps a bit.
We’ve been using traditional Rain-X for years, albeit not on a consistent basis. This is a product I typically buy when I’m browsing a store shelf and am reminded of its existence. “Oh yeah, Rain-X! I like that stuff!” But it’s of special interest when we RV camp because we travel such large distances. Rain and windshield debris are a constant issue.
Rain-X 2-in-1 claims to offer a glass cleaner and Rain-X in one product. We think you're better off with original Rain-X. (Click the pic for more info.)
This brings me to Rain-X 2-in-1, which claims to deliver a glass cleaner and Rain-X via an aerosol can. This is a nice idea. It seems I’m always looking to clean our windshield when we tow our Airstream. Why not clean it with a Rain-X product, and receive water beading benefits too?
Alas, my initial results with the Rain-X 2-in-1 have been mixed. We applied our first coat of the 2-in-1 product a few moments prior to driving across Kansas into a major thunderstorm. The Rain-X may have helped a little bit, but the rain was so thick that our visibility was terrible anyway. In fairness to the product, for best results you need to let the sealant “cure” for an hour or so. As tests go, this was kind of like telling someone to prep for a math quiz, then tossing them an advanced calculus exam.
As a glass cleaner, Rain-X 2-in-1 receives a gentleman’s C. It’s sufficient, but not the best glass cleaner you’ll ever buy. There are other glass cleaners that do a better job.
So where does that leave us with Rain-X 2-in-1? This is a product that’s a wonderful idea, but in attempting two things it may do neither well. Unless my results improve, for now I recommend you go with the classic Rain-X. This is a proven product with significant visibility benefits that enhance your safety. If you are RV camping, I suggest you get some of this stuff.