Aquapel Performance

[Bob Hall]

For the 2007 chase season I tried the Aquapel water repellent. For those not familiar with the product, it creates the same beading and shedding as Rain-X. I previously used Rain-X before each and every chase. I install new wiper blades each year, and have noticed that after 2 or 3 hours of use the Rain-X is ablated by the wiper friction greatly reducing its effectiveness.

Rain-X is a silicon based film that whereas Aquapel is a fluorinated compound that chemically bonds to the glass and is claimed to last up to six times longer by the manufacturer. I purchased an installer kit on ebay which included 36 applications, videotape instructions, a degreaser/stripper, and strong ammonia cleaner.

I applied the product twice last chase season (March and May). I would rate the brand new application as slightly superior to Rain-X. After about one week, I would rate it as 90-95% as effective as a fresh Rain-x application. It maintains roughly this level of performance for about two months under tough driving conditions. I have subsequently applied it to non-chase vehicles and 3-4 months is the working life of this material.

While not a miracle product, I do buy into their claim of a chemical bond as there is no difference in function from wiper blades path to the unswept glass even after as much as twenty hours of wiper use. The installer kit that I purchased worked out to slightly less than $5.00 per application. Overall I am satisfied and will continue to use the product. I plan on doing a side-a/side-b test on a non-chase vehicle this Spring.

I am curious how other chasers felt about the product.

-Bob Hall
WX5SKY
www.gobob.com

 

[David Drummond]

I think I mentioned trying this last spring too. Experience was similar to Bob's. I'll be using that from now on instead of RainX.

 

[Steve Miller]

Yeah, I've personally seen it in action in Bob's chase Jeep and the longevity is incredible. One other thing I noticed is the windshield wipers did not make a sound with this stuff applied. All you could really hear inside the cabin was the sound of the water being collected by the wiper and moved. Even the newest of windshield wipers make a little wiper noise as they sweep. Made for better sounding video from inside the car for sure.
Rain-x might be cheaper but as with any product, you do indeed get what you pay for.

 

[Jason Foster]

RainX fine by me, but I'm curious

I use RainX only so far. I find it better, not to use the wipers, or keep them on low as possible. Never had a problem with it fading or dissolving or decreasing in affectiveness. Last summer I also started adding RainX washer fluid so that I would not have to reapply every so often.

That is the one thing I don't like about RainX. If you apply it a few times (say during chase season), then don't reapply, months later the windshield gets a little hazy.

I never use anything on my daily commute cars, figure it's easy enough to driver without it. But for the chase vehicle (mostly for filming reasons), I use RainX.

This new stuff, how often does it need reapplication?
Does it haze up if not reapplied?
Can it be removed (since you say it bonds to the windshield)?

 

[Andrew Pritchard]

I rarely ever turn on my wipers when using rain-x so I don't notice that quick of a wear down. I thought the idea was to reduce wiper action? In fact, using your wipers with Rain X reduces the visibility in my opinion. The only time I'll turn on my wipers when I have rain-x going is occasionally when passing a semi, or when sitting still on the side of the road. I usually only reapply a few times a year.

I am interested in trying aquapel since it seems to get such great reviews, but I've also noticed no real poor performance/effects from Rain X.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

I first used Aquapel in 2003. I have used it eversince on my personal cars, chase vehicle and patrol car. I usally put it on the windshield and front side windows. I can drive without the wipers in most situations. No question it is much better than Rain X.

 

[Forrest lambert]

well i can tell you first hand, i work for jiffy lube and we have aquapel, lots of people buy that product and love it, we had one person say today that after 5 monthes it still works, now doesnt that tell ya somthing? our price to put it on the windshield is $14.99 my price to buy it at work is $7 so i love it!

 

[David Drummond]

My side windows, and the spots where the wipers don't touch are STILL repelling with the aquapel. It did eventually wear off in the wiper area, but I also use silicon wipers as well.

 

[Jason Foster]

Well then I might have to try it.

Sounds interesting enough that I might try it.

Guess you can get this stuff at any auto parts store (NAPA and the like).

Dave I agree, quality wipers make a big difference too. To bad the low profile wipers I bought for the Neon didn't come long enough for the Caravan. Those things were ultra low profile and worked great.

 

[Bill Tabor]

Yeah, where do you get this stuff, and how well does it work with west Tx and Oklahoma bugs? Is there a lot preparation to put it on?

 

[David Drummond]

Place that install windshields usually have it. As far as I have seen, glass dealers is the only place you can get it. Has a little applicator with a thing you break inside and then just wipe in on the glass. Bugwash in the wiper thing helps with the bugs, cept it stinks.