Aquapel Negative Feedback

C

Casebrius

New member
OK, I've read about 20 Aquapel threads and the product has been on the market a little longer now. I know many people have good luck with it, I'm not directing this at you. What I'm looking for, are the people that have had bad luck (themselves or their customers) to chime in. I'm considering buying a case but would hate to sell my customers a $15 service that they hate. Thanks
 
I bought 3 of them a couple of months back and have only used one of them so far and I wasn't impressed. I used old fashioned Windex (w/ammonia) to clean the windshield before I applied it, but it didn't perform as well as Rain-X or Quick Shine QD.



A couple of weeks later I bought some Rain-X Windshield Wax and that performed much, much better.



Perhaps there was a film of Rain-X that the Windex didn't completely clean off that affected the Aquapel. I've read too many good reviews to write it off after just one application, but to me some Rain-X with a touch-up of Quik Shine when you QD does a better job.



Perhaps others will chime in with tips to get better performance out of Aquapel. Next time I think I'll go over my windshield with a light polish, clean it off with ISO, and then apply the Aquapel and see if that helps.
 
I was told and read the windshield would need to be cleaned with mineral spirits first before applying Aquapel. :nixweiss
 
Yeah, it could have been an application problem, but I like my Rain-X. It's done me great, although it could last a little longer (I'll try some quick shine over it for QD), I hardly have to use my wipers, and it truly helps my visibility (which is important for my safety and that of my family).
 
im also not impressed with Aquapel. the instructions dont give much helpful advice either.



I have to say RainX seemed to work better and was much cheaper. I have not found Aquapel lasts as some say, in fact it hasnt lasted long or performed well. I have no idea why I cant make this product work. My windshield is not at a sharp angle and that might be part of it but the window itself doesnt bead anywhere near what it did with RainX



I have tried it on other cars as well, I even ordered more from a new place in case I got a bad batch....... Go figure
 
I've only applied Aquapel to brand new windshields (I work at a shop that installs them) and I like it better than rain x. I swear by Castrol Accuvision on my own windshield though..It works really well for a pretty long time.
 
I have had *excellent* results with Aquapel. I put it on my daily driver last October and only just re-did the application. It was still going strong up to late April.



IMO, prep is the key to whether it works well or not. It really has to have a clean surface, more than what EO 20/20 or Windex will do.



I prep my glass by using the Z glass polish. It's both an abrasive and chemical cleaner. After I prep the glass with that, it's smooth (not sealant smooth) to the touch, even with the plastic bag test. Then I wipe the windows down with EO 20/20 to get rid of any remaining dust I might have missed. EO 20/20 doesn't leave anything behind.



Then I aquapel. Front and rear. Front again. If I have enough left in the applicator, driver's side and then passenger side fronts windows.



Not sure why others have had less than optimal results. By far, it's the one extra that repeat customers request and are most willing to pay for.
 
I love Aquapel.



Prep is everything, though. I put my last coat on my car last thanksgiving and it survived the winter with aplomb and is still beading like the first day I applied it!
 
Why would prepping your windshield for the Aquapel/RainX be any different than properly prepping your paint before you apply your sealant or wax?



Same concept just different products.
 
with so much being sold on flEBay, I guess I'm concerned about getting some bunk product. I guess with the specialized applicator, its a slim chance some scammer is going to go through that much trouble to replicate it. The only downsides I've heard (if glass has been prepped right) are some people get chatter with blades, but only one or two people has said anything about it. That seems to be more of a Rain-X problem. What do most people charge customers? I'm thinking of $15. $10 profit for 15 minutes work seems fine, especially since this is one product customers are going to notice EVERY time it rains. This alone may earn repeat customers.
 
maecrispy said:
......IMO, prep is the key to whether it works well or not. It really has to have a clean surface, more than what EO 20/20 or Windex will do.



I prep my glass by using the Z glass polish........
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I suspected that might be the case. Next time I'll try some mineral spirits (thanks Bill D), followed by my Z glass polish (thanks maecrispy), and finish with some IG.



I read the instructions and also looked on their web site and except for "apply to clean glass", I don't think it stresses proper surface prep (if that was my problem). As I stated earlier, "I've read too many good reviews to write it off after just one application", so thanks for the tips!
 
Casebrius said:
Eliot, did you buy yours off of EBay?
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No, I bought it at a local CarQuest that carries paint supplies. I have read where a lot of members have bought it off eBay, so if I decide (after proper windshield prep) that it performs well I'll most likely order it in quanity from eBay.
 
Casebrius said:
What I'm looking for, are the people that have had bad luck (themselves or their customers) to chime in. I'm considering buying a case but would hate to sell my customers a $15 service that they hate.
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If you're concerned that xx% of the population is going to have a negative experience with Aquapel, I suggest you don't get involved with it. Creating a "driving hazard" for someone in a rainstorm is gonna leave people very irritated. It is possible and likely that some will not like it or just have a bad experience.



I've purchased a total of 6 vials. I've given a few away and I have applied it to all our cars - - some of them twice. I have never had any issues with it and will certainly purchase more in the future. I think it's a great product, escpecially when compared to RainX and the like.
 
Eliot Ness said:
No, I bought it at a local CarQuest that carries paint supplies. I have read where a lot of members have bought it off eBay, so if I decide (after proper windshield prep) that it performs well I'll most likely order it in quanity from eBay.
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Hmm... I didn't even think about that; maybe I should check to see if I can pick a few up locally until I get around to ordering it off ebay.
 
I know this is a very old thread, but I have to say I dislike aquapel. The reason I came across this thread is because I want to remove it. For what ever reason, it makes my wiper blades chatter like crazy. I followed the application directions and installed new blades when I first applied aquapel. Now I cannot get rid of it. I tried lighter fluid, Autoglym glass polish, clay, and a magic eraser with alcohol. It still beads almost like the first day I applied it. Any other suggestions?
 
As for removing Aquapel from glass, this would be more difficulting than removing Rain-X because Aquapel forms a chemical bond with the glass. If it were a silicone wax like Rain-X I would recommend scrubbing the windshield with cream of tartar from the spice rack of your local supermarket. As a truck driver I used it on my tractor windshield with great results in cutting through wax. For something like Aquapel I would suggest using a highly reactive agent like bleach to break the chemical bonding, then scrubbing the glass with cream of tartar. Ultimately, you might have to simply wait for the Aquapel to wear off.
 
xSnow said:
As for removing Aquapel from glass, this would be more difficulting than removing Rain-X because Aquapel forms a chemical bond with the glass. If it were a silicone wax like Rain-X I would recommend scrubbing the windshield with cream of tartar from the spice rack of your local supermarket. As a truck driver I used it on my tractor windshield with great results in cutting through wax. For something like Aquapel I would suggest using a highly reactive agent like bleach to break the chemical bonding, then scrubbing the glass with cream of tartar. Ultimately, you might have to simply wait for the Aquapel to wear off.
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Simple mineral spirits will take the aquapel off.
 
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