Helmets Rain X for helmet shield

Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
54
Location
Heron Montana
Bike
2008 ST 1300
Has anyone recently used rain x on either the motorcycle windshield or the helmet shield? Will rain x hurt the material? Thanks.
 
Rain X - DO NOT USE ON M/C HELMET VISOR.

It can cause embrittling of the polycarbonate, leads to penetration and shatter hazard.
 
To the best of my knowledge, a Clearview shield is the only one that says Rain-X is OK for use. Any others?

:03biker:
 
I've been experimenting with "Rain[Coat]" and have so far been impressed. Don't know where to buy it (I requested evaluation pack) but it does work! Gonna try it on the windshield, too.

See the WebBikeWorld report HERE.

EDIT: You can buy it direct HERE
 
Do not use it as others said.

What I have been using and am happy with is the Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish.

It is approved for use on pretty much any part of your bike other than the tires, grips and seat. It has carnuba wax in the solution that leaves behind a film that acts just like rain-x. Everything beads up and blows off. I have been using it on my wind screen and on my entire Shoei helmet including the visor and have been very happy.

I picked it up at my local dealer for $6 or so for a can that is the size of a large spray paint can.
 
Regularly used, any good plastic cleaner will keep your shield in a state where the water will bead up and roll off. I'm partial to Plexus, but there are lots of others that are just as good.

--Mark
 
Regularly used, any good plastic cleaner will keep your shield in a state where the water will bead up and roll off. I'm partial to Plexus, but there are lots of others that are just as good.

--Mark

That is the other product I have read a lot of good things about. I haven't been to a local place that carries it though.
 
For years people displaying custom bikes at shows have been using Lemon

Pledge, to bring out a high luster. Using it on my cruiser clear coat made it

look outstanding ! Now I carry a zip lock bag, with a soft cheeze cloth

soaked with it, as well as a clean micro fiber cloth to finish it off.

After carefully removing dried bug carcasses with a water soaking and waiting

five or ten minuetes, a final coat with this cloth & pledge & dry micro

fiber buffing, the windshield is smooth and waxed feeling to the touch.

Bugs seem to melt off with water easier as well. My tupperware and tank

always look

deeply waxed, and you never see the white leftover residue in the crevases

that canned wax leaves. Dash components look refreshed and new.

Chemically speaking....Im not sure of any negative effects, but found at any

grocery store for under $4.00 it makes detailing the bike often cheap.
 
For years people displaying custom bikes at shows have been using Lemon

Pledge, to bring out a high luster. Using it on my cruiser clear coat made it

look outstanding ! Now I carry a zip lock bag, with a soft cheeze cloth

soaked with it, as well as a clean micro fiber cloth to finish it off.

After carefully removing dried bug carcasses with a water soaking and waiting

five or ten minuetes, a final coat with this cloth & pledge & dry micro

fiber buffing, the windshield is smooth and waxed feeling to the touch.

Bugs seem to melt off with water easier as well. My tupperware and tank

always look

deeply waxed, and you never see the white leftover residue in the crevases

that canned wax leaves. Dash components look refreshed and new.

Chemically speaking....Im not sure of any negative effects, but found at any

grocery store for under $4.00 it makes detailing the bike often cheap.

+1 on pledge, I just have a small can.
 
Thanks for all the good info. 1. I will keep the rainx for the car and try some of these other products.
 
I've used Rain-X on all of my motorcycle windshields and helmet shields for years (since 1980) without any noted ill effects. I normally keep a Rain-X soaked p/towel in a zip lock baggies in my tank bag to recoat my helmet shield if I know I'm headed into rain.

Yeah, I know it is not recommended for "some" plastics but I use it on all of my vehicles and helmet shields. This includes all glasses, lexans and whatever else is in front, rear or side of me.


:slv13:
 
I just don't understand 1 persons says he used rain-x since 1980 on everything with no problems & another says it will melt your stuff, I 'am just curious has anyone personally/SPECIFICALLY see rain-x cause damage i know i haven't(specifically)
 
I just don't understand 1 persons says he used rain-x since 1980 on everything with no problems & another says it will melt your stuff, I 'am just curious has anyone personally/SPECIFICALLY see rain-x cause damage i know i haven't(specifically)

Not me, but that's because I don't use things designed for cleaning glass, which is impervious to just about everything, for cleaning plastics, which aren't.

The Rain-X brand encompasses a number of products, so saying you used Rain-X on something is as meaningful as saying you had Kellogg's for breakfast.

"Rain-X Weatherbeater 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner" is a solution of about 5% isopropyl alcohol (source) and 95% inert substances like water. "Rain-X Glass Treatment," on the other hand, is almost entirely alcohol, mostly ethanol and a bit of isopropanol (source). That's what two of their products have in them right now. Neither of those substances is known harmful to polycarbonates, but it's entirely possible that both have had different formulations in the past that included things that are, like ammonia. It's also possible that it may be reformulated in the future to include substances plastics don't like. A quick spray on and wipe off will also have less effect than spraying the stuff on and letting it sit.

Alcohols aren't all alike, neither are plastics and I can tell you for a fact that there are some alcohols which will damage some plastics. Unless you've researched a cleaning product's composition, you know what kind of plastic you're cleaning and have determined they're compatible, why risk damage by not using the right tool for the job?

--Mark
 
+1 on the Pledge. I used it about 20 years ago on my HD chrome. I never thought of using it on the windshield or tupperware until I read FortueT1's message. Trying it today.
 
Many moons ago, I've used Pledge on windscreen and visors, told it yellows the clear acrylic. Started using Plexus, same as for the plane windscreen and wouldn't go back.
I treat the plane's windshield and bikes windscreen with All Clear twice a year and LP Aero recently came out with their polish and sealant; being that all the "glass" on the plane is manufactured by them, that is what I am going to treat the new windshield with and use Plexus on pre-flight.
Available at A/C Spruce: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/cs/windshieldcleaners.html
Grizz
 
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