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Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:07 pm
by Jayken
Anyone use this product? http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... repellent/.

I just read some post here about rainex, ect for the face shield. I called Shoei to see if it's ok to use rainex, they said no you will destory the face shield. I like to find if someone used the above product any feedbacks?
thanks

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 3:33 pm
by The Velvet Monkey
I always just use Rain X. It works great and lasts a long time even with daily cleaning.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:42 pm
by bikermeow
If there is any concern with RainX (which I use), use the same wax that you use on your vehicles (which I also use). Visor haven't melted or blurred.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 8:21 am
by DSKYZD
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13599&p=121633&hili ... at#p121633

Gene Menzies is long time member and once moderator of this board.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 9:32 am
by Doug
Use Gene's stuff! Works awesome.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:36 am
by FloridaBeakster
I have never had problems with Rain-X discoloring or damaging faceshields. I apply it every so often, usually if it's been a while, and/or I expect to be in rain or I'll apply it right before a road trip.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:41 am
by hank
I have been using Plexus plastic cleaner for the past two years. Just spray on and wipe off, approved for use on aircraft windshields. Used by the Air Force and NASA.

Perfect for our wet climate here in Scotland.

Hank.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:32 pm
by Airman
Jayken wrote:Anyone use this product? http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... repellent/.

I just read some post here about rainex, ect for the face shield. I called Shoei to see if it's ok to use rainex, they said no you will destory the face shield. I like to find if someone used the above product any feedbacks?
thanks
I've never found Rainx to be very effective. I have used Gene's Fogtech, he did the beta testing with some of us, and I would suspect this is a first rate product. I certainly intend to buy some. The rainy season has started here in the Northwest, so I need to order some. I've been using wax, which does not last very long.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:40 pm
by Jayken
Thank you all, I did talk to Gene ,great guy, I intend to use his product on my brand spanking new Shoei Multitec helmet.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 2:01 pm
by philbytx
+1 for Plexus. I use it on our helmet visors and windshields

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2008 2:46 pm
by wncbmw
I have been using Plexus plastic cleaner
Me too! Good for removing small scratches also. I have a small squirt bottle of it with all my faceshield stuff in the tankbag.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:56 am
by themenz
Jayken wrote:Anyone use this product? http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... repellent/.

I just read some post here about rainex, ect for the face shield. I called Shoei to see if it's ok to use rainex, they said no you will destory the face shield. I like to find if someone used the above product any feedbacks?
thanks
There is a lot of stuff on the web out there about RainX and plastic shields. Let's see if I can add to the confusion.

I have talked with the RainX helpline about whether you can use RainX water repellent on plastc to get the water to bead up and roll off. Their answer was that RainX is safe to use on glass butthey don't recommend using it on plastic. The reason is that it contains isopropyl alcohol. Applying alcohol to acrylic plastics will eventually cause the plasticizers to leech out and the plastic will start to craze and crack. http://www.plexiglas.com/expert/data/13

Plasticizers keep the plastic flexible and retaining its shape. The most common acrylic plastic is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is sold under the brand names of Plexiglas, Lucite, Perspex, and Crystallite. Many of our motorcycle windshields are made of acrylic.

But some windshields and virtually all helmet faceshields are made of a more expensive plastic called polycarbonate (PC). Unlike acrylic, PC will not shatter when impacted so it has become the standard when you want face/eye protection. PC in most conditions is fairly immune to isopropyl alcohol (IPA or 2-propanol). http://www.plexiglas.com/expert/data/20 So no problems with RainX right? Well not so fast, there is another kicker. PC is tough but it scratches easy. So all PC shields have hardness coatings applied to them. Some of those coatings may be sensitive to alcohol. That may be why Shoei is saying to not to apply RainX on their PC faceshields.

I have tried RainX on shields from HJC, Shoei, Arai, Schuberth, etc. But I have not done long term studies. I have found that any rain repellent effect on plastic is very short lived. The RainX helpline guy said the same thing.

Raincoat is different. It does not contain alcohol. It has a very unique wax blend that sticks to plastic. That wax also has about 100 degree contact angle with water. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contact_angle Which means that it is close to a new Teflon pan in beading up and rolling off drops of water. Teflon is about 105 degree contact angle. http://www2.dupont.com/Teflon_Industria ... h44587.pdf An Arai faceshield has an estimated 30 degree contact, Shoei is estimated at about 70 degrees. So Shoei shields typically bead up water more than an Arai. Both shields have about a 100 degree contact angle with Raincoat applied.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:12 am
by HikerGlenn
I've used Plexus for years-it's awesome! Especially on Jeep soft top windows!-Glenn

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:02 am
by Buckster
Another one for Plexus.
Plus I use it for a quick clean up for the whole bike if it's not too dirty!

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:29 pm
by awagnon
Buckster wrote:Another one for Plexus.
Plus I use it for a quick clean up for the whole bike if it's not too dirty!
I may be one of the few who is not a fan of Plexus. I find it hard to completely get the haze or film off after using it. I like Lemon Pledge, even though I've heard the same arguments about it containing alcohol or something that can soften or dull the plastic. It seems to work as well as Plexus and easier to get off the residue.

Re: Motorcycle Helmet Visor Water Repellent

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:10 pm
by ray82609
I use Meguires Plastx I don't see any mention of it here, but it cleans a faceshield well and is available at Walmart and any auto parts store.
-Ray