Are you using Rain-X on your plane?

[Big Pratt]

I used Rain-X on my cars & boat and I absolutely love the stuff!
We used it on the 727 cockpit windows as well, with great results too!

Now for the big question. Has anyone used it on their GA plastic windshields? Not sure if they are polycarbonate or plexi.

Good results? Any reaction with the plastic? Glare? Gave you X-ray vision?
Let me know.

Oh and should I do it in the middle of the night in a locked hangar or would TCA be OK with it despite it being not an "approved" product?

[BusDriver]

Use some Rolite on your plastic rather than rain-x. It will remove crazing, and leave a streak free finish. ( Rain-X will cloud plastic after a while)

[bigsky]

For a gazillion years we used pledge(yes, we even used lemon pledge) . But that became a big no no.

I have found that PRIST is a suitable replacement for cleaning, but it does not cause the rain to bead and roll off. PRIST cleaner is available at most FBO's.

I have been told, that one can only use Rain-X on a glass surface.

[2low]

I have found that if you use an SOS pad or Scotchbrite on plastic windows, in an up and down motion, the rain seems to be channeld by the groves right out of sight.

[bronson]

I have used Rainex on eveything for years without any problems.

[cedar tree]

It would be a surprise to meet a coastal pilot who doesn't use the stuff.

[twotter]

We still use pledge where I work out here on the wet coast.. Great on plexy windows.. If you have glass, RainX is great..

[quicksilver]

I'm with flaps, go with the scotchbrite pads and grooves method. I haven't tried it but see no reason why it wouldn't work. Thanks for the tip flaps,

quick

[rsandor]

Depends on the type of plexi glass. Some of the softer, more absorbant composites will cloud or become hazy with rainex. A high quality plexiglass (aviation grade does not necessarily mean high quality.. lol) with a harder scratch resistant composition will work great with Rainx.

I like it because I can remove the windshield wipers + wiper motor + associatied crap out of the Porsche race car and just use the RainX alone! Less weight = faster car! yee haw

[ch135146]

Side note: Pledge works great on leather too.

The guy who made my motorcycle racing leathers gave me that tip.

[Hedley]

For Plexi/lexan, what works great, and is completely safe, is clear/spray/detailer/cheater wax, that you get in a spray bottle at Canadian Tire. Mothers, Turtle, Meguires, the brand doesn't matter, all same same.

Use it and preferably a soft rag (ok, paper towel will work, but it scratches) to get the bugs off, and it will leave a slippery surface that stuff doesn't stick to as well, so it makes it easier to clean the next time. Works well on painted leading edges, too. Think of it as a pledge replacement.

Cleaner wax does a wonderful job on plexi/lexan, too. Removes haze from all those tiny scratches.

[chipmunk]

A slightly related question: do any of those cleaners do well in preventing build-up of salt spray on the windscreen? We're doing some low-level work over the Gulf in a 404 (no alcohol windscreen unfortunately), and after 3 hours, the salt is pretty noticeable, and is a pain in the arse when flying into the sun.

[chipmunk]

dp

[Treehawk]

bigsky....why is pledge a big no no?

[twotter]

Chipmunk, after years of flying on saltwater, the only thing I've found that works is either finding a shower and flying through it, or an excellant dockhand who cleans your windows after you land.. A good F/O works too but they are harder to find..

[bigsky]

bigsky....why is pledge a big no no?

If the truth be known unless the product is an approved cleaner or product certified for aircraft use you can not use it.

Pledge causes crazing/discoloration of most types of plexi glass. (over time)

We also used Armour All on our de-ce boots, worked great, but from what I now understand it is not an approved product you are not allowed to use it.

I might be wrong, as I am only going by what our flight operations department quotes us.

[twotter]

Pledge causes crazing/discoloration of most types of plexi glass. (over time)

New one on me... I've been using it for 30 years and have never noticed a problem.. Works great and does bead up the rain.. Of course the monsoon we had today was a bit much for it...

[niss]

I use armour all....does that make me a bad person?

[Hedley]

Yes. You will burn in hell for it

unless the product is an approved cleaner or product certified for aircraft use you can not use it

Indeed. In fact, the last time I looked at the Transport Canada Enforcement actions in the COPA rag, there was a long, long list of pilots who had been violated for using car wax on aircraft painted surfaces.

[Driving Rain]

Here's the MSDS for Rain Away a RainX like product. Rain Away has a Mil Spec and Rain X doesn't. While RainX might work ok for plexi and lexan AC windows the manufacture doesn't recommend it, where as RainAway does.

http://www.shop.edirectory.co.uk/auto_u ... 8&cid=1270



Brand Information
Brand Name: Rain Away Rain Repellent
Form: liquid
Product Category: Auto products >> Windows/Windshield >> water repellent

Customer Service No.: 800-528-0334
Date Entered: 2003-11-13
Related Items: Products with similar usage in this database





Manufacturer
Manufacturer: Kafko International, Ltd.
Address: 3555 W. Howard Street
City: Skokie
State: IL
Zip Code: 60076
Telephone Number: 847-763-0333
Fax Number: 847-763-0334
Toll Free Number: 800-528-0334
Date Info Verified: 2003-11-13
Related Items: Products by this manufacturer





Health Effects
The following information (Health Effects, Handling/Disposal, and Ingredients) is taken from the product label and/or the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) prepared by the manufacturer. The National Library of Medicine does not evaluate information from the product label or the Material Safety Data Sheet.
Acute Health Effects: From MSDS

HEALTH HAZARD DATA

Effects Of Overexposure
Contact with eyes will cause irritation. Prolonged contact with skin may cause drying. Excessive inhalation of vapors can cause nasal irritation, dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache and a narcotic reaction. If swallowed, may cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Chronic Health Effects: MSDS:
Prolonged contact with skin may cause drying. Excessive inhalation of vapors can cause nasal irritation, dizziness, weakness, nausea, headache and a narcotic reaction. [Oh boy! ]

Carcinogenicity: MSDS:
No information provided.

First Aid: For eye contact, flush with copious amounts of water. For prolonged skin contact, wash with soap and water and apply skin cream/lubricating ointment. For inhalation, remove to fresh air. If swallowed, drink water and induce vomiting. For any emergency, obtain medical attention. Clothing soaked with product should be changed immediately.
Health Rating: N
Flammability Rating: N
Reactivity Rating: N
HMIS Rating Scale: 0 = Minimal; 1 = Slight; 2 = Moderate; 3 = Serious; 4 = Severe;
N = No information provided by manufacturer; * = Chronic Health Hazard
MSDS Date: 2001-08-01





Handling/Disposal
Handling: MSDS:
Store in well ventilated areas at temperatures below 120ºF and away from any ignition source. Since emptied containers may retain product residues (vapor, liquid and/or solid), all hazard precautions given in this data sheet must be observed.

Disposal: MSDS:
All Local, State And Federal Regulations Concerning Health And Pollution Should Be Reviewed To Determine Approved Disposal Procedures.






Ingredients from MSDS/Label
Chemical CAS No / Unique ID Percent
Isopropanol 000067-63-0 >90
Sulfuric acid 007664-93-9 <1

[quicksilver]

In fact, the last time I looked at the Transport Canada Enforcement actions in the COPA rag

I think if I was fortunate enough to own an airplane, and I was out at the airport one day cleaning and waxing it and a inspector came by and wrote me up for using the wrong wax I might be tempted to rage on him. FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO DO LOSER!!!

quick

[ScudRunner]

I highly Recomend stuff called 210 spray a chopper pilot gave me a bottle and ive never touched anything else.

[Treehawk]

Where do you buy that 210 spray? I tried searching for it and couldn't find it. I have heard of that for the deice boots, does it work to bead the rain too?

[Caracrane]

using Rain XXX is absolutly beautiful on any kind of screen with no damages in the long run. Pledge with or without lemon is used for Easy-Bug-Removal purposes, not for having a better front view at 200ft on a DHC2.

[quicksilver]

edited because I was drunk

quick