Removing Rain-X and Aquapel

One problem that plagues windshield repair technicians is the use of various coatings applied to the windshield. The purpose of these windshield coatings is to improve visibility by repelling water, making the windshield easier to clean, and improving wiper efficiency.

While there are many waxes and coatings available to the consumer, Rain-X® and Aquapel® are probably the most commonly used visibility improvement products. Any coating that is applied to the windshield that results in better visibility is great for the consumer, but can be an absolute nightmare for the windshield repair technician. It’s always a good idea to test the windshield to see if a coating has been applied. Testing is simple: Cover the area to be repaired with a Chip Saver patch, then spray an ample amount of water or glass cleaner on and around that area. The water will bead up on the glass, just as it does on your freshly waxed car, if the windshield is coated. Any time cured Delta Kits resin does not stick to the glass, the reason is a surface coating on the glass, so a good preventative measure, would be to clean around the damaged area with Cerium Oxide (Part #CO1) prior to every repair. Properly mixed, Cerium Oxide is a thick paste that will not migrate into the depths of the damage, as liquid cleaners can.

The good news is that, typically, windshield coatings are applied with an applicator or soft cloth, so the liquid does not penetrate deeply into the damage, but remains largely on the surface. Removing windshield coatings can be a challenge, but it is not impossible.

We tested 12 different products to find the best possible solution for removing Rain-X® and Aquapel® from a windshield, and came up with the following surprising results:

Cerium Oxide is by far the best product we tested for removing Rain-X®, and also did a great job of removing Aquapel® and wax.

Our ammonia based glass cleaner actually did the best job of removing Aquapel®, but was not effective for removing Rain-X®.

In addition to keeping the dirt and moisture out of a damaged windshield, promoting the use of Chip Savers Cards (Part #CS100) will also help reduce the problems associated with windshield coatings.

-Brent Deines