Anyone use Rain-X on their helmet face shield? I have read that it is for glass and approved plastics, but they don't say what plastics are approved. I have a buddy that works on a Grand Am team and he says they use Rain-X on the plastic windshield all the time. I have a Shoei RF1000 helmet.

I was wondering the same thing?

From what I've heard, the only possible downside to Rain-X on faceshields is that over time they might yellow a bit. Personally I'm willing to put up with a little yellowing if I can have a clear shield in the rain. In the grand scheme of things, swapping out a $40 shield every year or so is not that big a deal.

Keep in mind, though, that I still haven't gotten around to actually using Rain-X on any of my shields. I had always heard it was a no-no, but since I heard the thing about yellowing, I just haven't gotten around to it. I even went and bought some, but I haven't had it with me when I've cleaned my shield, so I haven't applied it yet.

I use it on a regular basis and it works wonders to keep the rain of the shield. No yellowing so far, but then again, I change my shield after about 1 1/2 season.

I have always used Lemon Pledge to clean plastics. It dissolves the bug stuff pretty good, is a great cleaner, and as a byproduct, sheds water real good. Try it.

I also have the RF1000 and I have been using rain-x . Have been using it years. I use it inside also to prevent foging. It works great. It also helps keep the bugs from sticking. Put it on, buff it off, wait ten minutes and buff it again. Ride well.

Thanks! I have used it on my car for years and it just seemed like a logical solution. You guys have been a great help as usual!!!

I used to have an HJC Helmet and when I emailed them a few years back regarding using Rain-X they sia dit woul dnot harm the shield so I used it. Now with my Shoei I have yet to use it more becuase since I have used Plexus on it I havent seemed to have a water shedding issue...

I also have the RF1000 and I have been using rain-x . Have been using it years. I use it inside also to prevent foging. It works great. It also helps keep the bugs from sticking. Put it on, buff it off, wait ten minutes and buff it again. Ride well.

Barefoot, are you using regular RainX on the inside for fogging or are you using the RainX antifog product? Obviously I'd like to use just one product.

Thanks,
Chris

I have been using the reg, rain-x on both sides of the shield.

I've got a good friend who is a fan of Rain X. We went for a ride a couple weeks ago and his lid's screen was yellow as piss. Like can't see out of it yellow. I've got no idea if it was because of RainX or not, but I'll be sure and ask him. :)

I hate that stuff on the front windshield of my cars. I tried it a couple times and I'll never go back. I do like it on the sides and rear windows. I could see how it would be cool on a motorcycle lid, but not if it yellows the screen.

I have an old shield with a few scratches that I could test it on.

I just called my buddy and he can't remember (doesn't think he did) putting RainX on his visor.

I just called my buddy and he can't remember (doesn't think he did) putting RainX on his visor.

It sounds like it must be something different then because from what I've heard, if RainX is going to yellow the shield, it's a very gradual thing that happens over time with repeated usage. That's why I think it's worth the risk because the worst case scenario basically puts you replacing the shield every so often (kind of like actar911 does).

I think the safety benefit of a clean shield outweighs the possibility of shortened shield life. Besides, in my experience a shield needs replacing from scratches and such at that point anyway.

This is supposed to out do Rain X:

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444220617 5&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302289471&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302289471&bmUID=1130464724489&bmLocale=en_US

...according to this forum:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102316

I work for the company that invented Rain-X. We sold the trademark to Shell Oil Company but retained the patent rights until they expired. We still manufacture the original formula under the brand name Rain Clear by Glass Science.

Rain Clear is mostly made up of denatured alcohol and silicone. The possible issues with polycarbonate (Plastic) is the alcohol leaching the plasticizers out of the plastic which could cause yellowing or even cracking. But that was with older plastic products. The modern polycarbonates are very stable and take the Repellent coating very well.

What we tell our customers is to first ask the manufacturer of the screen or shield if our coating will affect the surface or warranty of their product. Second we suggest applying it to a small spot on the surface to test the application. If all looks good go ahead and apply it to the entire surface.

I use the stuff everywhere, on glass, porcelain, plastics, ceramic tile any hard non-porous surface. It is fantastic stuff and works very very well.

How I apply it is put some on a micro fiber towel and with small circular overlapping motion I cover the surface, wait for it to haze, sprinkle a little water on it and then buff out to a clear shine.

Well that's about all I need to convince me. That's about as "straight from the horse's mouth" as you're going to get.

Thanks for that thegrandwazoo.

You are very welcome. One thing though do not use it on the tinted side of glass or polycarbonate. Also, we don't recommend it on face shields that have a mirror/iridium coating. Just to be on the safe side.

:thumb:

Well that's about all I need to convince me. That's about as "straight from the horse's mouth" as you're going to get.

Thanks for that thegrandwazoo.

+1 on that!! Great info and Rain-X it is for me. This week I had to ride in very hard rains for a long way that never seemed to let up or show mercy. It gets very hard to see.

Also, I'm upgrading my rain gear. Extreme rains call for extreme gear.

I might give it a shot on my visor. Last time I got stuck in a down pour I could only see far enough to go 30mph max.

I hate that stuff on the front windshield of a car though, it works OK up to a point, but when it comes time to use the wipers they smear like mad compared to plain old clean glass and I think it reduces visibility rather than helps. It is nice for the side and rear glass, but it's been years since I've used it.

:)

when it comes time to use the wipers they smear like mad compared to plain old clean glass and I think it reduces visibility rather than helps.
:)

For rain on the visor, I've always used the old "turn your head to the side and let the wind blow the rain off" trick. I haven't applied Rain-X yet, but I imagine it will make all the difference in the world in how well that little trick works. There shouldn't be any need to wipe the visor at all.

I put it on the inside and outside of the shield of my Shoei RF-1000 and I have much less trouble with the shield fogging up on the way to work in the morning. It will fog up a little, but it disipates very quickly. Just make sure you wipe it off really well with a micro fiber cloth.

My 2 pennies...
I've always like Rain-X, and use the washer fluid for my cars with great result. I've had to drive my dad's car the last few times I needed a car, he uses regular washer fluid, and it drove me fukken nuts!!! On my visor I might try it for anti-fogging purposes, but for the outside, I use Plexus, this stuff sheds water very well and if you turn the head to let wind give you an assist, greatness!!! I use it almost daily to clean my bike and helmet, and love it to death. Also use it for final step of my headlight restoration biz. I think it may be one of the greatest motorcycle products ever invented!!!:thumb:
Did I mention it is the spec for cleaning the stealth canopy? What better claim to have for your product than military backing!?!?
No, I don't work for them, although maybe if I did...discount...?:huh:
Aus,
Erik!!!

Motodevil, I followed your advice and got Plexus today to clean my shield. I'll see how it does in the rain.

So everyone knows the marine rain x works the best.

What is different about it?

I use this stuff on faceshields, helmets, fairings, dike bike plastics - Rejex. Bug guts, dirt, etceteras, rinses off with a little water.

http://corrosionxproducts.com/rejexpage.htm

marine rain x is the industrial strength version. it is designed to stay on better. It is used on boats and ships and is designed to take a lot of water without gettting washed off. I stands up good. I have not noticed a yellow film caused by it either.

I have always used Lemon Pledge to clean plastics. It dissolves the bug stuff pretty good, is a great cleaner, and as a byproduct, sheds water real good. Try it.

X 2!!!:yeahsmile:

Ed

I might give it a shot on my visor. Last time I got stuck in a down pour I could only see far enough to go 30mph max.

I hate that stuff on the front windshield of a car though, it works OK up to a point, but when it comes time to use the wipers they smear like mad compared to plain old clean glass and I think it reduces visibility rather than helps. It is nice for the side and rear glass, but it's been years since I've used it.

:)

I use it on the windshield of my '62 Corvette rather than the wipers. A few years ago I was on the Trans Canada HWY going thru a prairie thunderstorm. The rain was so heavy that it appeared to be "bouncing" on the road giving a 'mist' effect up about 2 or 3 feet, and a bunch of cars were on the shoulder as their wipers couldn't keep up. We drove by at 65 MPH with the rain beading and sliding off, and the wipers OFF. NO vision problems at all! :yeahsmile::yeahsmile:

Ed

When I've used Rain-X on my car windshield, it works really well when it's raining steadily. But at night when it's not raining, there seems to be a coating that catches the other cars' headlights making it hard to see. Has anyone else had that problem and found a way to fix it?