RainX for Plastic Windshields?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Inverness, FL
RainX for Plastic Windshields?
I have a taller windshield (for now) and for multiple reason will keep it on for my 9 day trip down south. When it rains I can barely see through it. On my old bike I used Pledge to keep it clean and that cut down on the dirt and bugs that stuck to it, but I looked over the shield, not through it.Pledge, and many other waxes, are hydrophobic, (water beads up) and all those bead of water only make the windshield harder to see through. Do I need something Hydrophilicso the water clings to the shield like a second skin?
I read some older threads but maybe new riders or new products came out with something better that works in the rain.
I read some older threads but maybe new riders or new products came out with something better that works in the rain.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
I would be concerned about abrasives in Rain-X. A pure Carnuba wax would do the same thing and not scratch it. Also, beaded up water is going to flow to the sides and top of the windshield. You'll surely get a face full of water that way. (Same reason I don't use rain-x on my side windows of my truck. I like to crack my windows when driving in the rain).
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
Rain X will only serve to make your windscreen hazy and put that ugly fog on it that you will have to spend hours polishing off. There is a product called Plast X that is recommended for plastic windscreens.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
i always use rainX on my car windshield. it's still okay when i applied it on my helmet shield, i mean rainX did no harm to the plastic shield. But thing was the rain drops didnt get blown away by the wind, as they usually do on car windshield over 40mph. Or maybe you could apply one of those polish waxes from the shops.
may be u should change your ultra windshield with the shorter one, around 3-4" tall. never like windshield, it causes too much vibration to the helmet when over 55mph.
may be u should change your ultra windshield with the shorter one, around 3-4" tall. never like windshield, it causes too much vibration to the helmet when over 55mph.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 2
From: South Fla.
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
It depends on which type shield you have.
The lable on my bottle states:
"DO NOT USE on scratch resistent or specially coated plastics unless pre-approved by the manufacturer of the plastic"
I hear there is a marine version which they say is safe for plexiglass.
On the same note, I've used Rain x for years on my boats inclosure which is made of plastic and never had a problem.
The lable on my bottle states:
"DO NOT USE on scratch resistent or specially coated plastics unless pre-approved by the manufacturer of the plastic"
I hear there is a marine version which they say is safe for plexiglass.
On the same note, I've used Rain x for years on my boats inclosure which is made of plastic and never had a problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 12
From: Parkton, Maryland
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
Somewhere in the manual it says not to use Rain-X in the plexglass windshield because it can cause it to become cloudy. I've used it on both a 2003 EG Classic for 2-1/2 years and my 2006 Ultra since it was new and have had no problems. I figure that if it gets cloudy in 4 or 5 year it would be time to replace it anyway due to chips and scratches.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 251
Likes: 2
From: Western MA
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
Don't use rainx. It's not meant for plastics and will cause a haze on the windshield.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 5
From: Currently the pig country of Arkansas
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
I've never used Rain-Xon anything except the cage and have heard "NO"to Rain-X on Plastic... Realistically, if you get caught in a rainshower your windshield will just bead up the water and you will have to look over the shield sotrying to keep water droplets off of the windshield will prove futile. Bug removal is another issue.
There are several sprays which work well to coat your windshield so bugs come off easier. I have been using Lemon Pledge for about a year and it gives a greatcoating at a cheap price.
To loosen the bugs up the easy way, take your windshield into the shower and let it sit under a warm spray for several minutes. For light bug coatings, I have a handheld spray bottle in the garage filled with tap water. Spritz it on, do something else for several minutes while it softens the bug goo, and then wipe them off with a clean microfiber cloth. Every othercleaning I'llcoat the windshieldwith Pledge so thebugs wipe off easier next time.
Remember to always use an up-and-down motion when cleaning your windshield. Regardless of how clean you thinkyour cloth is, it will still create small scratches in the surface. Vertical scratches don't scattersunlight or headlights like a side-to-side or circular cleaning method will. Just ask someone who has cleaned lexan windshields on a light airplane. Another example of verticle "scratches" is in polarized glass.
Edmo
There are several sprays which work well to coat your windshield so bugs come off easier. I have been using Lemon Pledge for about a year and it gives a greatcoating at a cheap price.
To loosen the bugs up the easy way, take your windshield into the shower and let it sit under a warm spray for several minutes. For light bug coatings, I have a handheld spray bottle in the garage filled with tap water. Spritz it on, do something else for several minutes while it softens the bug goo, and then wipe them off with a clean microfiber cloth. Every othercleaning I'llcoat the windshieldwith Pledge so thebugs wipe off easier next time.
Remember to always use an up-and-down motion when cleaning your windshield. Regardless of how clean you thinkyour cloth is, it will still create small scratches in the surface. Vertical scratches don't scattersunlight or headlights like a side-to-side or circular cleaning method will. Just ask someone who has cleaned lexan windshields on a light airplane. Another example of verticle "scratches" is in polarized glass.
Edmo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 22
From: right down from the FloraBama
RE: RainX for Plastic Windshields?
Windshield Water Repellent Treatment
Price
$6.95
Description
Windshield Water Repellent Treatment
Approved for use on Harley-Davidson LexanÂŽ windshields. Enhances visibility during wet-weather riding. Reduces the surface tension of water, allowing the water to bead and dissipate from the windshield by the air-flow during riding. The convenient dispensing container includes ten disposable wipes for easy application of the treatment. Repeat application of the treatment as necessary. Not recommended for use on faceshields. Not for use on an anti-fog product.
10 wipes.