My experience with Aquapel

[tmchow]

After finally getting my windshield streak free and totally clean (see my previous post ) i tried out Aquapel for the first time.

I read the included instructions and proceeded to apply it. I went over the front windshield, driver and passenger windows and rear windshield. Oh yeah, also applied it to my side mirrors.

The instructions said the Aquapel would "bead up" which indicated it was reacting with the glass... well after waiting about 1-2 mins, there wasn't a whole lot of beading, if any. I figured I must have waited long enough, so I started buffing the windows with a dry paper towel as per the instructions. It was smearing like crazy and I thought "oh shoot! I've gone and messed up my windshield just when I had gotten it clean!". I stopped rubbing the windshield immediately...The instructions said to go over the windshield twice with the aquapel, so I did that before doing anymore buffing. There wasn't a whole lot left, so I barely covered the windshield with a second coat. I waited a few minutes and started again with the paper towels.. well after some vigorous rubbing, I noticed that it was getting harder and harder to rub off -- my paper towel was encoutering more and more resistance. But as I kept rubbing, I noticed the smearing was disappearing! Success!

So I kept going with the paper towel buffing on all the windows and my side mirrors... after about 10 mins, all the noticeable residue was gone.

I didn't get a chance to take the car out tonight to test it in the rain, but i will tommorow. I'll post my impressions tommorow night sometime.

I'm praying I'm not going to get smearing like I do with Rain-X and that this stuff lasts as long as ppl say it does (3-4 months). If it does last that long, i'll be able to ride out the rest of the rainy season here with a single Aquapel application.

[bigboyhf]

The application is exactly as you experienced. It seems like you will never get it to buff off, but you just keep buffing for another minute or so and it starts to bond to the windshield and the smearing rubs out completely. I think you will be very happy with Aquapel. It may not bead water quite as well as RainX at slower speeds, but you can use your wipers and it actually makes them work better! No smearing and I think it makes them work smoother.

H

[JohnN]

Hehe - that smearing totally FREAKED ME OUT at first - had me running for the PC and cursing the Aquapel - but like bigboy mentions, it actually comes off pretty easily after a minute or so of buffing. On the second and third cars I did - I left it a little longer when applying the second coat, and it came off even easier.

[tmchow]

Another thing that concerned me was that I didn't get 2 complete applications on the windshield. I overestimated how much product there was in the applicator. When I got back to doing the windshield for a second pass, it didn't go on nearly as thick. I probably got 1 1/3 applications... will this affect the effectiveness of aquapel much? Am I going to expect to have to buy more aquapel within 3-4 months?

[bigboyhf]

I was a bit disappointed with the amount of Aquapel in each applicator. I think that each tube had a slightly different amount... Anyways, I have been able to get at least 2 coats on the windshield. I don't think you have to gush it on with the first coat. Do it thin. Then use the rest for the 2nd coat. 1 coat will probably be fine. I think the 2nd is mainly to cover any areas you missed with the first coat.

H

[JohnN]

Did you think the applicator ran out of product, or if it just applied thin because of the previous coat?

I noticed that it goes on lighter the second time around - but since there was enough product in the applicator to put on the rest of the windows for a second coat, I chalked it up to the windows being coated already.

[DETAILKING]

Originally posted by tmchow
well after some vigorous rubbing, I noticed that it was getting harder and harder to rub off -- my paper towel was encoutering more and more resistance. But as I kept rubbing, I noticed the smearing was disappearing! Success!

So I kept going with the paper towel buffing on all the windows and my side mirrors... after about 10 mins, all the noticeable residue was gone.

Hmmm...sounds just like how the application of RAINX goes for me.........

Before apply rainx did you do the prep that you did before applying aquapel? That could be the reason for your streaking. I get none with RAINX.

[tmchow]

Hmmm...sounds just like how the application of RAINX goes for me......... Before apply rainx did you do the prep that you did before applying aquapel? That could be the reason for your streaking. I get none with RAINX.

Well with RainX I get teh same effect.. but when it rains my wipers totally smear it! I may try RainX again after the Aquapel wears out adn use some of the application tips I've read here. Specifically, I will try to apply RainX before I wash my car then give my windshiled a good wash with my mitt.

[Guess My Name]

My application of AQP went exactly the same....It seems it will never buff out just smear around and then all of a sudden it dries clear and clean....Like the magic buffing fairy came by and helped out.

Check the review section there are a few about AQP and they are pretty good.

Do tell us your experiences in the rain I am interested in hearing how others opinions.

Good Luck!

[tmchow]

Okay, it's finally rained in my area (after a full week of sunshine), so I got a chance to test Aquapel out. Water beaded up almost immediately when the rain hit the windshield.

When driving at speeds < 30mph, I put on my wipers as the water was beading but really wasn't going anywhere. There was ZERO streaks as the wipers went over the aquapel. Color me impressed!

I made it onto the highway for about 5 mins and the water was beading and flying off my windshield and side windows at speeds > 50mph. I would definitely reccommended spending the cash and getting aquapel (FYI: I paid $9.00 + $2.00 shipping).

I also noticed that dirt doesn't cling to teh windows as much anymore. Dust and dirt is easily removed with a quick swipe of the Cali auto duster.

[bigboyhf]

Aquapel

H

[BradE]

tmchow,

Glad to hear you liked Aquapel. I feel it's a superior product to Rain-X in everyway, certianly my first choice for windshield rain repelant. The reason Rain-X smears is because it's a dimethal oil, Aquapel is a cured resin which means no smearing!!! As bigboyhf said Aquapel.