Can You Use Rain X on Plexiglass?

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If you have used Rain X on a car windshield, you may wonder if you can use it on plexiglass.

You can only use Rain X Plastic Water Repellent on Plexiglass. You shouldn’t use other types of Rain X, like the Original Glass Water Repellent or the 2-in-1 Glass Cleaner and Rain Repellent. The Rain X Plastic Water Repellent works for various common plastics.

The Rain X Plastic Water Repellent provides the same protection against rain, sleet, and snow for plexiglass that the Original treatment offers for glass. Even the application is almost identical, except for the prep. Read on to learn how to apply Rain X to plexiglass properly.

How To Use Rain X on Plexiglass

Here’s how to use Rain X for your plexiglass. 

1. Identify the Right Rain X Product.

Rain X has several treatments for different materials and purposes. Most Rain X treatments are for glass, so none of those products are suitable for plexiglass. 

Common Rain X treatments, like the Rain X Glass Treatment Trigger works well for keeping water off glass, but should not be used on plexiglass or acrylic. There are many popular Rain X products, so be careful and don’t mistakenly use any incompatible treatments

The only Rain X product you can use on plexiglass is the Rain X Plastic Water Repellent. Available on Amazon, this Rain X product is compatible, effective, and safe for plexiglass in all kinds of different situations, including but not limited to the following:

  • Boat windshields
  • Goggles
  • Helmet visors
  • Lenses
  • Motorcycle windscreens
  • Viewing glasses or ports

However, the Rain X plastic treatment won’t clean or restore automobile or headlight lenses made of plexiglass or polycarbonate. If you have hazy and yellowish lenses made of clear plastic, you need the Rain X Headlight Restorer, also available on Amazon.

Therefore, the Rain X you can use on plexiglass depends on your objective.

  • Use the Rain X Plastic Water Repellent if you want better visibility in the rain.
  • Use the Rain X Headlight Restorer if your car or motorcycle lenses are hazy.

The Rain X plastic treatment has a similar effect on plexiglass as the original on glass. The coating will have water beading up and rolling away on plexiglass, providing the clarity and visibility you need. 

2. Blow Dry Dirt and Dust Off Plexiglass Before Using Rain X

The Rain X Plastic Water Repellent is a treatment that coats plexiglass so that rain, sleet, and snow don’t reduce visibility. 

The coating is unlikely to provide the desired clarity if your plexiglass fixture is dusty when applying the treatment. So the first step is to eliminate dry and loose dirt and dust. You can use a blower or compressed air

If you’re cleaning a lens, you can use a small blower like the kind used to remove dust from cameras and keyboards.

Whenever you clean or handle plexiglass, exercise caution so that you don’t leave a lot of smudges on the material. Your fingerprints and the oils on your skin can leave visible marks. Also, don’t scratch plexiglass when blowing any dust off the surface or cleaning the fixture.

3. Clean Plexiglass Before Applying Rain X Plastic Treatment

You shouldn’t apply the Rain X plastic treatment on dirty plexiglass. If you are familiar with any plexiglass component or fixture, you probably know that you can’t use all chemicals to clean the material. 

Here are the chemicals you should avoid when cleaning your plexiglass:

  • Abrasive cleaners or polishes
  • Acetone and other such solvents
  • Alcohol, including isopropyl (IPA)
  • Ammonia, or cleaners having it
  • Dry-cleaning fluids, gels, etc.
  • Windex or other glass cleaners

I recommend using the Brillianize Plastic Cleaner, which comes in a convenient pump spray bottle. Brillianize is one of the most effective plexiglass cleaners, leaving behind a nice shine. It also has the following benefits:

  • 100% non-toxic 
  • Alcohol-free
  • Ammonia-free
  • Anti-static

You can use Brillianize to clean many materials other than plexiglass, including the following:

  • Glass
  • Plastics
  • Polycarbonate
  • Stainless steel

However, Brillianize won’t do anything to scratches on plexiglass if you have some. You need a restorator to get rid of any scratches. I recommend the Novus Plastic Care Kit, which includes three bottles for the different treatments you may need:

  • Novus 1 Plastic Clean & Shine
  • Novus 2 Fine Scratch Remover
  • Novus 3 Heavy Scratch Remover.

4. Spray the Rain X Plastic Water Repellent on Plexiglass

Once you have cleaned the plexiglass, get the Rain X water-repellent spray bottle. Shake it well before using it every time. 

Hold the trigger at an angle and spray the Rain X plastic treatment on the plexiglass. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth or clean cotton rag to coat and wipe.

Don’t use a paper towel to apply, coat, or wipe Rain X on plexiglass. Also, don’t cut your cotton or microfiber cloth into half or pieces, as that will make it abrasive. 

You need a lint-free and non-abrasive material to apply Rain X on plexiglass. Ensure the cloth or rag is dry when you apply the water repellent.

5. Wipe Rain X in Circular Motions With Uniform Overlaps

After you apply or spray an adequate quantity of Rain X plastic treatment on plexiglass, wipe the coating in circular patterns with uniform overlaps. You can go clockwise or anti-clockwise, but be consistent with the same pattern, and the overlapping should cover every progressive wipe.

Wipe the entire surface area of the plexiglass and buff it with a clean, dry cloth. Rain X plastic treatments don’t have a haze or other residual effect on plexiglass. But even if you find a haze, buffing will resolve the issue. If buffing doesn’t help, a splash of water will eliminate the haze.

You may or may not need a second coat of the Rain X plastic treatment for plexiglass. Judge by the clarity and visibility you attain after the first application and wiping to decide if you need to apply a second coat. 

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