Surely this has been covered before, but couldn't find anything on the search tool...

Has anyone tried putting some kind of water repellant on the rear window...e.g. RainX or wax something similar? I'm finding that rain drops will just sit on the rear window and make it (more) difficult to see, particularly at night. Overnight condensation is a problem too, as the stuff just refuses to bead up and roll off. Maybe I'll just have to wait until next week when my WeatherShield™ cover gets here from TopNotch!

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Tedow
'01 Red/Black #1297

 

I thought about using rain-x and started reading the directions/warnings on the bottle. Sez your not supposed to use rain-x on plastic unless you check with the manufacturer (of the plastic).

 

IMHO, I would not use a product like RainX on the plastic window. I've used RainX with my other cars and have come to the following conclusions:

1) RainX seems to contain a strong organic chemical compound which may not be good on glass or plastic longterm. RainX may soften the surface and make the material (glass or plastic) more susceptible to scratches.

2) It will eat away your wiper blades if you use them for extended periods of time like driving all day on the interstate. (I think the idea here is that you should not need to use your wipers if RainX is applied).

May not be an issue since it's your back window but it doesn't make me feel any better about using it on plastic.

3) RainX works great at first but needs to be reapplied regularly. You may want to minimize the amount of wiping/buffing on the plastic.

 

I've had success with RainX but only because I use it on the side windows and the mirrors...

For the front window, I actually use (dont laugh) Zaino Z1 and Z2. It makes the water run off pretty nicely, and I dont think it wrecks the wiper blades, but I dont know for sure...

The problem with the rear window would be the only reason I could see a hardtop someday. I know some people say its a waste of $, but they probably dont have to drive the car at night when its rainy outside and you can't see diddle because of all the water on the back window...

One other tip would be to use a California water blade... just carry it in the car, and when you come out to your car, just swipe the rear window clear. Works nice if it has STOPPED raining. Not really a solution if you are driving in slow traffic and its raining outside...

For that, so far I am SOL...

 

Are you using Plexus on your rear window? It seems to have a pretty good beading effect on the plastic sort of like wax does on your paint. The water beads up and runs off.

 

Take care to check if any product you want to use contains any solvents or petro-chemicals, they could damage the plastic. I only use Plexus on the rear window, it improves beading some, and makes the plastic clearer in general which helps in the rain. I think you have to live with the fact the plastic window works quite poorly in bad weather and after dark.

 

I have seen RainX used on motorcycle windshields with disastrous results. It turned the plexiglas cloudy and yellow, total destruction. I wouldn't risk it on the rear window. Plexus is the answer.

 

The biggest problem with the rear window seems to be the lack of airflow to it. When you drive, the water just sits there...

I dont know if a glass window would do any better, even with RainX.

My waterblade solution works well, but again only if you arent sitting in stop and go traffic in the rain... but then you dont really need to look back during that, right?