Exterior Detailer, Quick Wax, Glass Cleaner & Waterless Automobile Wash (2023)
6 min read
Affiliate Disclosure: The merchandise outlined beneath had been despatched to us by Rain-X at no cost. Automoblog earns from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Affiliate, together with the cleansing merchandise featured right here. These commissions come to us at no extra value to you.
Though well-known for its wiper blades, Rain-X has a whole line of cleansing merchandise to your automotive. The staff at Rain-X despatched us 4 of their hottest to check out, together with an exterior detailer, quick wax, glass cleaner, and a waterless automotive wash.
We examined every on our 2022 Ford Escape after a number of days of rain throughout the Detroit metro in early May. Throughout that point, we drove I-96 and M10, two busy roadways with heavy site visitors right here within the Motor Metropolis. This brought on a whole lot of grime and dust to construct up on our decrease quarter panels over these few days, and we had been excited to see if something Rain-X despatched us may assist.
Right here is our fast however detailed (see what we did there) assessment of every little thing Rain-X despatched us.
Exterior Detailer & Water Repellent
Our Take
Exterior detailers provide you with that additional “pop” after washing your automobile. They’re additionally tremendous handy for those who want a fast touch-up between washes. Over time, we now have had wonderful luck with Meguiar’s Quik Detailer, however the Rain-X additionally gave us that good post-wash shine. The Rain-X detailer appears like skim milk within the bottle, but it surely offers your paint with a much-needed dose of caffeine!
The Rain-X method is straightforward to use with a clear microfiber towel and helps repel rain or different water you encounter whereas driving. Rain-X classifies this as a “2-in-1” product, that means you will have an exterior detailer with a water beading impact. For finest outcomes, keep away from utilizing it in direct daylight as the new paint will trigger it to evaporate.
The place to Buy
As of this writing, a four-pack of Rain-X Exterior Detailer and Water Repellent is available on Amazon for about $50.
Quick Wax
Our Take
The Rain-X Quick Wax offers you the advantages of a full-on wax job in a fraction of the time. When you can apply it to dry paint post-wash, you can even use Quick Wax whereas your automotive continues to be moist, which is the popular methodology for us.
The Rain-X Quick Wax is fairly goopy and may really feel awkward to buff out on dry paint. As a substitute, attempt making use of it to your automotive proper after washing. This manner, you may mix drying and waxing in a single step, and the water in your automobile will make the liquid (ish) Quick Wax rather more cooperative.
The place to Buy
If you’re a purist, there isn’t any substitute for a conventional and correct wax job. However if you’re pressed for time, Rain-X Quick Wax will do the trick. As of this writing, you may grab a four-pack on Amazon for about $28.
Glass Cleaner & Inside Detailer
Our Take
Now we have grown accustomed to having a separate bottle of glass cleaner and a separate bottle of inside cleaner, however Rain-X goes for the two-in-one method right here. The massive promoting level is the comfort of not having to change bottles whereas working in your automotive, and the combo fluid offers equal shine high quality as each a glass cleaner and inside detailer.
Whereas inside detailers have their apparent advantages, we typically really feel glass cleaners are missed. Glass cleaners will enhance your visibility, particularly at night time. And do each the outside and inside sides of your windshield. You could be shocked in any respect the gunk that comes off.
The place to Buy
As of this writing, you may grab a bottle on Amazon for about $5.30.
Waterless Automobile Wash & Rain Repellent
Our Take
In 2019, Rain-X acquired a Product of the Year award within the Automobile Care class for its Waterless Automobile Wash and Rain Repellant. The Product of the 12 months award originated in France greater than 30 years in the past and now encompasses 40 nations. They settle for entries yearly of packaged items that exhibit client innovation, with a winner named in every class by means of a web-based examine performed by Kantar of 40,000 shoppers.
Based mostly on our expertise, the award was well-deserved for Rain-X.
In case your automobile isn’t too soiled, a bottle of it will prevent from slugging quarters within the wash bay. It’s very best for the weekend warrior who likes to park within the driveway, roll up their sleeves, and present their automotive off to the neighborhood. Waterless Automobile Wash & Rain Repellent is the “full package deal” from Rain-X. You should utilize it as a liquid automotive wash with out the water, or for an on-the-go touch-up. It’s even secure to make use of on glass.
We used it on the “downside areas” of our Ford Escape, together with the decrease quarter panels. Even after a correct wash with the scrub brush and every little thing, our decrease quarter panels all the time want just a little additional love. The images beneath will enlarge so you may see precisely what we imply.
- Pre-Wash Photograph: That is proper earlier than we parked within the wash bay.
- Submit-Wash Photograph: Instantly after utilizing the spray gun and cleaning soap brush. You’ll be able to see the leftover, cussed highway grime on our decrease quarter panel.
And at last, this third photograph is after hitting the decrease quarter panel with some Rain-X Waterless Automobile Wash. We had been pleasantly shocked at how effectively it labored to take away the surplus dust, grime, and tar down by our entrance wheels.
The place to Buy
As of this writing, a three-pack is available on Amazon for $25.
Ought to You Buy Rain-X Merchandise?
Our Take
Rain-X will all the time be our first alternative for wiper blades, as they’ve by no means allow us to down throughout our usually harsh Michigan winters. Now, for the summer time months, we’re content material to maintain utilizing the Rain-X merchandise outlined right here, and we really feel assured recommending them to you as effectively.
Nonetheless, we additionally advocate attempting a couple of completely different manufacturers and seeing which one you want finest. Now we have used merchandise from Armor All, Meguiars, Moms, and Turtle Wax previously, all with constructive outcomes.
A bottle of Armor All Tire Foam has been in our storage since we bought our first truck in 2001. Turtle Wax we now have been utilizing even longer, since our highschool years within the late 90s, however assume their newer “Hybrid” product line is improbable. Meguiars we began utilizing in 2011 for our then-new EcoBoost F-150. We tried Moms in 2018 for the primary time on our Fiat 500X. And now Rain-X for the primary time in 2022.
Every model has strengths and disadvantages, so attempt a couple of out and see what you want. The 4 hyperlinks above – one for every model – will aid you determine which is finest to your automobile.
Holding your automobile clear is a vital a part of common upkeep, similar to oil modifications and tire rotations. Contemplate washing your automotive as usually as attainable, particularly after a blizzard or rainstorm (even a fast spay-off with a portable pressure washer will go a good distance). It’s a great technique for protecting your automotive’s physique and chassis in good condition because the miles pile up. Once you lastly get one thing new, you’ll be glad you invested within the elbow grease. Washing (or not washing) your automobile can have an effect on its resale worth in the long term.
Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Affiliation and the Society of Automotive Historians. He serves on the board of administrators for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Basis, is a previous president of Detroit Working Writers, and a loyal Detroit Lions fan.
