My Prius C is 5 months old, and the rains just started recently. I realize I have a problem I never had with previous cars: when the car is wet (whether it's raining or not) the beads of water on the side windows reflect light and really hamper visibility. I'm constantly having to roll down the windows to see. I drive mainly around town, so not at high speeds that might blow away the beads (not sure it would anyway). I notice that the windshield only gets these beads up high, where the wipers don't go. The glass where the wipers go stays clear -- no beads. Thanks for any input.
..also try Invisible Glass to see if cleaning better helps, also maybe waxing would make it bead off.
Rain-X or if you want something that lasts a bit longer (on the windshield - On side windows Rain-x is fine, it'll go a LONG time) go with Aquapel: single Aquapel Glass Treatment, Rain Repellent, glass sealant, windshield protectant, Aqua-pel glass wipe case Aquapel Glass Treatment - Case of 6
Try using a rain-x type of product. But dont use the rain-x inside the car. It will create a really nasty and hard to get rid of film on the glass. I learned the hard way.
You probably know this but rain-x makes a product for that, rain-x anti-fog, but it certainly isn't the water beading regular version of rain-x. I just just wondering their reasoning for applying it on the inside.
Ahh, ok, I thought maybe you read somewhere it has some type of positive 'effect' if applied on the inside and was wondering what it may have been.
Thanks for all the replies. But I don't get what the difference is between the beads you get from Rain X and the beads I already have. What am I missing?
Rain x beads are tighter beads and roll/fly off considerably easier than on glass without rain-x. It's relatively cheap for a bottle at say Walmart, maybe $5. Can't hurt to try it. And even if it doesn't help with your situation it honestly makes a considerable difference with windshield visibility.
Rain-X makes it easier for water to bead (rather than adhere to the window) and hopefully run down because it forms bigger droplets that overcome the friction coefficient of the window glass. Toyota briefly offered water-repellent front door glass on the 2010-2011 Prius (mine has it). It works not too bad. You do have to keep it clean so that the water repellent properties work. (If the window has a layer of dirt or grime, then obviously it won't work) and water streams off nicely at suburban speeds (roughly over 30km/h) in light rain. Moderate rain will definitely keep it clear as the amount of water on the side window is enough that the droplets will coalesce and slide down on their own.
Ok, I bought the last one off the shelf! I applied it to 3 of the 4 side windows to compare, and we'll see - it's supposed to rain tonight. It said there would be a haze after applying, but I didn't see any haze.
The beads on the untreated window are larger than the beads on the three Rain-X treated windows, but they are still full of beads. Our other older vehicle, parked right next to the Prius, has no beads at all - the rain just drips down; the window is clear. What's on these windows that makes water bead (besides the Rain-X) and what can I do to get rid of it?
Maybe polish your glass with glass polish, I've got no idea beyond that for what you are experiencing and how it's affecting you.
Go to a professional car wash and let them wash your car. If already doing so then change car washes. Something is being applied to your window that is absorbing water and therefore you have beads. Also, mention this to the car wash manager and see what he says. An all-around spray wax finish of a type other than Rain-x might make the surface slick enough.
