Subject: RainX - another testimonial

[Craig Lebakken]

Rain-X sucks. It is heroin for windshields. You have to keep
applying it once the road grime has abraded through the
coating via the pressure/sweeping of the wiper. Granted, it
is pretty neat driving with no wipers when the windshield
has a fresh coat of Rain-X. Problem is, two weeks later, and
you need your wipers in a downpour, you are blind. Streak
City.

One of the best detailing tricks I ever learned when I
worked at a dealership and did LOTS of window cleaning was
#0000 steel wool. Use this and window cleaner, and even most
of the mineral deposit watermarks are removed. Or, in the
case of really bad windshields, the deposits are at least
smoothed. With good wipers (Bosch Microedge), visibility is
always good. Here in the Pacific Northwest, wipers are
important, and a maintenance item more critical than an oil
change. Occasional wipedown of the rubber with denatured
alcohol also improve wiper effectiveness.

I have a nine year old, 90% full bottle of Rain-X on the
shelf right now. I keep it for emergencies. Like when the
relatives leave at 8:00 p.m. on a rainy night for a 300 mile
drive home, and they have neglected the wipers. For one
night it works. I make them promise to to clean the
windshield as referenced above, and get new wipers
(referenced above) the very next day.

****Cautionary note****

Steel wool will not scratch _TEMPERED_ glass. Use it on the
rear view mirror, and you will be pissed. External glass
only.

HTH

Craig Lebakken
1986 4KQ with newly cracked windshield.