Aquapel - Does it actually do anything?

F

foxtrapper

New member
Decided to try the stuff. Cleaned the glass thoroughly, applied it in accordance to the instructions. Even managed to get some dry so I had to buff the heck out of it to get it off.



So I'm expecting rain and mist nirvana. I thought it would shear the water off like Rain-x on steroids. Not at all!



Instead, if it acts any different than clean glass, I can't tell. Mist and rain stick to it just as well as they always have. The closest to a difference that I can maybe discern is that the droplets perch on top of the glass a little more than they used to, and don't seem to smear on the glass quite as much when I turn on the wipers.



I almost wish I had done one half of the windshield instead of the whole thing, just so I could compare the sides.



I must say, I am most disapointed with this product and its total lack of doing anything.



To those of you who swear that this stuff is wonderfull, what does it actually do for you that makes you say that?
 
I haven't used it in a couple years because it's hard to find around here but water used to just shoot off my windshield when driving. It was pretty amazing how it worked, much better (in my case) than just a clean windshield behaved.
 
I have been using it for a while and I have no problems with it. I did notice however when you let it dry like you said, you have to work to get it off. This may affect the way if works. When driving this stuff makes the water come off the windshield very rapidly
 
wascallyrabbit said:
i'm not convinced that it works that much better than rain-x. for the cost and aviablitly rain-x gets my vote.
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Go right ahead, the build up and chatter you get from silicone (found in Rain-X) on the windshield is precisely the reason I use (when I remember to order it) Aquapel.
 
I have used Aquapel for a couple of years and really like the stuff. It is a different class of product than RainX. RainX merely coats the glass, Aquapel chemically bonds with it. As a result, Aquapel performs better for much longer.



Here's a pretty decent comparison test:



Josh Wardell’s MINI Cooper S Rain-X vs. Aquapel





The major thing with Aquapel is the preparation of the glass. You said you cleaned the glass, but how and with what? What else had the glass been treated with? If not cleaned thoroughly, the Aquapel doesn't bond nearly as well with the glass and its performance suffers. I just ordered some nano glass treatment and I'm curious to see how that performs compared to Aquapel.
 
Aquapel is way better than Rainx. Just apply it well. Don't let it dry or you will get streaks. Aquapel still works great after 7 months after applying.



 
aquapel is much like painting. All of the work is in the prep.



wipers are overrated when using aquapel :D



and to be honest, its one of my favorite products that i have ever bought in the means of car care.
 
This is actually the first time I haven't heard a praise about aquapel. Like the others have said, I think the problem might have been with it drying onto the window before you buffed it off...but I'll see if I can replicate your problem on one of my cars to see if I get the same outcome.
 
I have found that Aquapel is awesome. Never heard a single negative comment. If you have used Rain-X first, you have a lot of work to do to get it clean enough to apply Aquapel.



Just picked up their glass cleaner. Look forward to testing it.
 
KnuckleBuckett said:
I have found that Aquapel is awesome. Never heard a single negative comment. If you have used Rain-X first, you have a lot of work to do to get it clean enough to apply Aquapel.



Just picked up their glass cleaner. Look forward to testing it.
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I'll be curious to read about your impressions, I just saw it on AutoGeek for the first time.
 
Mindflux said:
Go right ahead, the build up and chatter you get from silicone (found in Rain-X) on the windshield is precisely the reason I use (when I remember to order it) Aquapel.
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Why would you use the wipers if you have Aquapel of Rain-X on the windows? I may use the lowest setting on the wiper delay and that may be it. I have never had wiper chatter before.



Another vote of not being impressed after reading the reviews on here about it.

I have used it twice and one of the times is when I used the Auto Int ABC system. So I know the windshield was clean.

Looking at the cost and effectiveness I'll continue to use Rain-X also.
 
swan said:
Why would you use the wipers if you have Aquapel of Rain-X on the windows?
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Uhm, because it's illegal in almost every state not to have your wipers on when it is raining.
 
What I found is Aquapel freshly applied doesn't release water as easily as rain-x freshly applied. However, Aquapel behaves almost the same 6 months later while rain-x is done in a month.



The other benefit is Aquapel lets you use the wiper while rain-x will gum up the wipers if you try them. Aquapel is more like nothing is on your window but water doesn't smear but beads instead. That is a good property to have I think.
 
I have had Aqapel on all the windows of my pick up truck for about 14 months. The side and back windows still bead great and droplets fly off. The windshield is definately more degraded, but it is obvious that there is still something protecting the windshield.



You'll rub off Rain-X driving thru a bad rain storm where you've had to run the wipers on the high setting for a length of time.



Rain-X does not even come close to the durablity of Aquapel. I like the Glass Science Clear Rain Clear better than Rain-X. The gel is easier to work with.
 
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