What's new
By:
Car Wash Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Rain X alternative

washnshine

washnshine

Well-known member
I've been using Rain X online for the last several months now with very good results in quality and an excellent increase in my top package purchase and revenue. As you all know, Rain X is quite expensive, and I am seeking an alternative that will yield equal or better results for a lower cost per car.

I purposely have not marketed the product as Rain X because I knew I would try a few alternatives before I made my decision as to what chemical line to go with.

For those of you out there who use alternatives to Rain X, which ones do you think perform as well, or better than Rain X? I can get the following from distributors with no problem:

Warsaw Weather Shield
CSI Lustra Shield
Blendco Durashield
Diamond Shine Weather Guard.

If Rain X is is truly the best in my wash, I will stick with it, but if I can save $ and equal or surpass the quality of Rain X, I would like to do so.

Thanks.
 
Washnshine,

I believe there is a Rain-X alternative called Repel but I don't know who carries it. I personally sell hot wax for my top package.
 
There's a similar product by Simoniz that's a lot less expensive, and it's also a well-recognized brand.
 
Thanks.

I was looking at the Simoniz products online - but have never used them. Which one is most similar to Rain X - is it Vision Clear, Double Bond or Shield Special with Teflon?
 
That seemed right to me too, but I found signs like this, advertising it as a windshield treatment - is it applied to the whole car? I know you can't target just the windshield in a tunnel wash, but does it have the shine, seal and protect qualities on the paint and other surfaces besides glass?

VisionChr.jpg


Thanks again.
 
I would think if you could advertise it with the Simoniz brand name and add that it compares to Rain-X, it would be just as effective.

I did notice that even though the Simoniz is a lot cheaper, its dilution is also a much lower ratio. It may not even save money over the real Rain-X product.
 
Super-hydrophobic products have become the future trend for carwash industry because of how well they work and how long they last.

Simoniz double bond was first online protectant to hold up for 30 days and imparts contact angle of 90 degrees on paint or 13 percent greater than drying agent (mineral oil). Higher the contact angle, better the beading.

Rain-X online total body protection (glass and paint) imparts 110 degrees or 38 percent greater than drying agent.

Hot wax (carnauba wax or synthetic) shines better, smoother lasts longer than Rain-X and imparts 120 degrees or 50 percent greater than drying agent.

Now there is lava shield program or product (lava bath, lava shine, rinse/cure and
and lava seal). Has lower contact angle than carnauba but is more durable than double bond or Rain-X. Hot wax is suggested as up-sell to this.

Plus, there are vehicle polishing modules that can be added to exit end of tunnel.

Thus, washing and hand waxing a vehicle has been reduced to the push of a button. As one expert recently said, this stuff isn’t smoke and mirrors (just the lava effect is).

So, if Rain-X online is the go-to solution, you may want to consider what’s trending.
 
I do not have a tunnel, but I use this product in my touchless automatics and my self serve bays. I sell it as a total body protectant and windshield treatment. It is applied low pressure in the self serve and as part of my 12.00 package in autos. Have tried Rain x and believe this does a better job for me. The shine left behind after washing really is amazing. Kleen rite sells signs for self serve , part # SIKR205
 
Blendco has a awesome product called Dura Shield they also offer a $3.00 mail in rebate for your customers. This really helps up sell to the end user.
 
I have used weathershield with good results in an IBA. I also tried the Blendco product and I couldn't tell much difference. However, my wife complained of windshield smearing when I changed. Since she didn't even know I changed product I took her criticism noteworthy and went back to weathershield. But obviously you give up name recognition with either product.
 
cfcw said:
I have used weathershield with good results in an IBA. I also tried the Blendco product and I couldn't tell much difference. However, my wife complained of windshield smearing when I changed. Since she didn't even know I changed product I took her criticism noteworthy and went back to weathershield. But obviously you give up name recognition with either product.
Click to expand...

cfcw,

Thanks. I noticed the Weathershield dilution recommendation looks like it is around 1.5 oz. per car. Is that about where you were at with it? Did you apply it low pressure? No windshield smearing with the Weathershield?

Thanks again.
 
I'll have to look as far as cost by seeing how much usage I'm getting. IIRC it's around .25/car. My machine uses a low pressure rain-type arch. I use a purple tip in a hydrominder. No windshield smearing. Good durability- will last through a couple of touch free washes and I use a very caustic presoak. Several customers are big believers in the product. One guy who washes his jaguar weekly told me the dealer thought it had been detailed when he brought it in to trade.
 
cfcw said:
I have used weathershield with good results in an IBA. I also tried the Blendco product and I couldn't tell much difference. However, my wife complained of windshield smearing when I changed. Since she didn't even know I changed product I took her criticism noteworthy and went back to weathershield. But obviously you give up name recognition with either product.
Click to expand...

Which weathershield are you using 573? Warsaw labels about 3 different products with the weathershield name.
 
573 weathershield total surface protectant.

ETA: Retail price on this product is $388 for 15 gallons.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top