Anything like Rain X for my Windshield?

Danger

Danger

Joined
Aug 26, 2025
Messages
48
Age
68
Location
Oakland
Bike
2013 ST1300PA
I wouldn’t like to mess up my new Clearview windshield. That being said, I got caught in the rain on Monday and discovered that rain didn’t bead up and roll off like it does on my car. Is there anything like Rain X I can use? For the moment I simply waxed it.
 
ClearView tells you in their instructions to use REGULAR RainX on the shield. All other brands say to use RainX plastic formula. I have five ClearView shields here.
 
Try using a ceramic detailer spray. There are quite a few different brands. The ceramic additive is very hydrophobic. It will repel water on plastic, painted surfaces and just about any other surface..
https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guys-Hydro-Speed-Ceramic-Quick-Detailer/dp/B08P54Z2C2/ref=sxin_25_sbv_search_btf?adgrpid=185095198046&content-id=amzn1.sym.c8b39f81-ded8-4d75-80c2-6dfa03cbb699:amzn1.sym.c8b39f81-ded8-4d75-80c2-6dfa03cbb699&cv_ct_cx=ceramic+detailer+spray&hvadid=792931495595&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9031883&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=11614366648403958776--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11614366648403958776&hvtargid=kwd-580693065586&hydadcr=27484_14957805_2491119&keywords=ceramic+detailer+spray&mcid=12e03698546736238e6ed51a6d727b56&pd_rd_i=B08P54Z2C2&pd_rd_r=0890732d-ab77-470d-af91-d7a7ed51f386&pd_rd_w=Ustiu&pd_rd_wg=vlGo2&pf_rd_p=c8b39f81-ded8-4d75-80c2-6dfa03cbb699&pf_rd_r=0679CB9QAC1XX0VJZGE9&qid=1771049593&sbo=RZvfv//HxDF+O5021pAnSA==&sr=1-1-5190daf0-67e3-427c-bea6-c72c1df98776&th=1
 
Along with the other suggestions, I use Turtle Wax Ice Spray Wax. I use it on my windshields and my helmet visor, as well as for between "real" waxings on the cars. Works pretty well, and lasts well too.
 
I've been using Rain-X on plastics and glass since around 1980 without any negative problems on either surface. I use it on windshields and helmet shields all of the time.

With that said, if you don't want to use it on plastic, try Meguiars Ultimate products to wax it and then put on the ceramic coating as a top coat. I've done several vehicles with this Meguiars system and it is lasting longer than anything else I have used over the years. The rain really beads off of this product.
 
I tried RainX for plastic. It's supposedly specially formulated to be safe on plastics. It works no better than just having a very clean windshield.

It seems like the windshield would be ideal for riding in the rain, but I've found that lowering the windshield and using the helmet's face shield actually works better.
 
Decades ago a guy I worked with got a new car and had the dealer apply Polyglycoat to it. I'll not adress al the brouhaha that followed. Just saying that water didn't bead on it. It formed a sheet that rolled off the car as though the earth had some magnetic attraction that pulled it off the car. It was amazing. I never new if it was applied to the glass. That would have been pretty amazing.

For a short time there was a product call GE Rain Sweep. Like Rain-X it's purpose in life was to keep the windshield clear in rain. And it did. It worked so well I literally (as in actually) saw better in heavy rain with the wipers off than on. Rain was one continuous sheet flowing off the windshield and giving a really clear view with only occasional ripples moving down the windshield. It was so much better than Rai-X.

At some point it was discontinued. Maybe it was made with Cs-137 I dunno. But it was so slick. Coating the front and back windows with it made for visibility in rain I never thought possible. Now there are ceramic/graphene coats that work much better.

With the amount of rain we get here (not much) combined with the amount of rain I ride in (none) even Rain-X would be overkill.
 
Ones I put rain-x on the windshield - big mistake. The rain bounced right into my face (wore a 3/4 helmet). Looking through the windshield all the way up, is never a good idea. We don't have wipers like in a car and water still will cover your view no matter what.
Want to deflect the rain, put it on your helmet visor.
Just MO.
 
Many years ago I used Rain-x on my Accord's windshield. The water beaded up and rolled right off. I rarely used wipers above 55mph. One application lasted a long long time. When it ran out I stopped using it for some years, then bought another bottle for another car. The stuff was no better than a clean windshield. The instructions had changed, too. I called the company and after chewing my way through the corporate maze, got a guy who knew what I was talking about, He told me the EPA had forced them to change the formula and the new stuff was not as good as the original. I thanked him for his honesty. I found Rain-x plastic was as bad as the 'new improved' rain-x glass, and neither worked well on my ST's shield. I ended up using Plexus because that's what was used on GA plane windshields at my local airport.

A @FastST said, the wind blast will not clear a bike's windshield, but it WILL clear the face shield on your helmet. I suspect the difference is the curvature.
 
SMSW said:
As @FastST said, the wind blast will not clear a bike's windshield, but it WILL clear the face shield on your helmet. I suspect the difference is the curvature.
Click to expand...
Not only are visors per-treated with water repellent, they also get cleaned way more frequently... ;)
And when selecting a height for my windscreen, I always ensure to still have the right amount of airflow remaining on my helmet and visor to keep the vents functional and get droplets blow off the visor... (having to reach up there every five to ten seconds to wipe off the mist to maintain vision can get painstaking and hinders operating the motorcycle...)
I use Nikwax Visor Proof on my Shoei lids since years...

Back to the windscreen:
- Bike Spirits spray cleaner and polish; great stuff, removes bug-splash and tar-spots with ease, seals minor scratches, keeps repelling water for some time (~2-3 weeks, depending on the solvents/substances from the road spray... spray from muddy roadworks or winter brine will kill any repelling abilities almost instantly, but ease cleaning afterwards...)

- Meguiar's G17110 Headlight Protectant; cleans not as great and easy as the Spray Cleaner, but claims resistance against environmental/UV influences; repellent properties as above...

- aviation grade pedant (EU sourced) to the already mentioned Plexus; again not as good in cleaning as the first, but really good in refreshing "older" plexiglass (i.e. instrument glass), claiming significant UV protection, repellent abilities as above... (an aircraft is rarely caught in road spray though...)
 
I want to thank everyone that has replied. Some excellent suggestions.

Thank you all.
 
I have “Rain X for Plastic.”

I have never really liked the stuff but I haven’t found any product that I like better so I continue using it I use it on my eyeglasses the visor of my full face helmet and the top half of the windshield on my bike.

I find that it does not bead water on a bike‘s windshield or my helmet’s visor the way the old Rain X (for glass) used to do on a car windshield.

It only helps a little bit with the fogging up of my Eyeglasses inside my helmet.
 
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