Exterior Detailer, Quick Wax, Glass Cleaner & Waterless Automobile Wash (2023)
6 min read
Affiliate Disclosure: The merchandise outlined beneath have 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 price to you.
Though well-known for its wiper blades, Rain-X has a whole line of cleansing merchandise in 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 visitors right here within the Motor Metropolis. This brought about quite a lot of grime and grime to construct up on our decrease quarter panels over these few days, and we have been excited to see if something Rain-X despatched us might assist.
Right here is our fast however detailed (see what we did there) assessment of all the things Rain-X despatched us.
Exterior Detailer & Water Repellent
Our Take
Exterior detailers provide you with that further “pop” after washing your automobile. They’re additionally tremendous handy if you happen to want a fast touch-up between washes. Through the years, we’ve had wonderful luck with Meguiar’s Quik Detailer, however the Rain-X additionally gave us that good post-wash shine. The Rain-X detailer seems to be like skim milk within the bottle, but it surely supplies your paint with a much-needed dose of caffeine!
The Rain-X components is simple 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’ve an exterior detailer with a water beading impact. For finest outcomes, keep away from utilizing it in direct daylight as the recent 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, it’s also possible to 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 might really feel awkward to buff out on dry paint. As a substitute, strive making use of it to your automotive proper after washing. This fashion, you possibly can mix drying and waxing in a single step, and the water in your automobile will make the liquid (ish) Quick Wax far more cooperative.
The place to Buy
If you’re a purist, there isn’t any substitute for a standard and correct wax job. However in case you are pressed for time, Rain-X Quick Wax will do the trick. As of this writing, you possibly can grab a four-pack on Amazon for about $28.
Glass Cleaner & Inside Detailer
Our Take
We have now 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 strategy right here. The large promoting level is the comfort of not having to modify bottles whereas working in your automotive, and the combo fluid supplies equal shine high quality as each a glass cleaner and inside detailer.
Whereas inside detailers have their apparent advantages, we generally 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 is likely to be shocked in any respect the gunk that comes off.
The place to Buy
As of this writing, you possibly can grab a bottle on Amazon for about $5.30.
Waterless Automobile Wash & Rain Repellent
Our Take
In 2019, Rain-X obtained a Product of the Year award within the Automobile Care class for its Waterless Automobile Wash and Rain Repellant. The Product of the Yr award originated in France greater than 30 years in the past and now encompasses 40 international locations. They settle for entries yearly of packaged items that reveal client innovation, with a winner named in every class by means of an internet examine carried out by Kantar of 40,000 customers.
Primarily based on our expertise, the award was well-deserved for Rain-X.
In case your automobile isn’t too soiled, a bottle of this may prevent from slugging quarters within the wash bay. It’s supreme 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 need to use it as a liquid automotive wash with out the water, or for an on-the-go touch-up. It’s even protected 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 all the things, our decrease quarter panels all the time want a little bit further love. The pictures beneath will enlarge so you possibly can see precisely what we imply.
- Pre-Wash Picture: That is proper earlier than we parked within the wash bay.
- Put up-Wash Picture: Instantly after utilizing the spray gun and cleaning soap brush. You possibly can see the leftover, cussed highway grime on our decrease quarter panel.
And eventually, this third photograph is after hitting the decrease quarter panel with some Rain-X Waterless Automobile Wash. We have been pleasantly shocked at how effectively it labored to take away the surplus grime, 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 suggest attempting a number of completely different manufacturers and seeing which one you want finest. We have now used merchandise from Armor All, Meguiars, Moms, and Turtle Wax previously, all with optimistic outcomes.
A bottle of Armor All Tire Foam has been in our storage since we bought our first truck in 2001. Turtle Wax we’ve been utilizing even longer, since our highschool years within the late 90s, however assume their newer “Hybrid” product line is unbelievable. 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 downsides, so strive a number of out and see what you want. The 4 hyperlinks above – one for every model – will assist you to resolve which is finest in your automobile.
Preserving your automobile clear is a necessary a part of common upkeep, identical to oil adjustments and tire rotations. Take into account washing your automotive as typically as doable, particularly after a blizzard or rainstorm (even a fast spay-off with a portable pressure washer will go a good distance). It’s technique for conserving your automotive’s physique and chassis in good condition because the miles pile up. Whenever 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.
