[mmmbbbccc]

Has anyone used Rainx for screen protection on a video ipod? For those who don't know Rainx is a product you apply to your windshield and it really does a great job of making it clear and seems to leave a protective coating. It contains denatured alcohol. I don't know what material the ipod is covered with and wonder if it would react in a negative way. I've read of people using Brasso, Meguire's polish, etc. without ill effects to rub out scratches, but if it worked this Rainx stuff would help protect the screen before it's scratched. Any information or thoughts would be appreciated.

[Steve]

I don't think Rainx is going to help prevent scratches at all. It would probably do exactly what it does on a car; run water off the windshield (screen).

If you're concerned that it is going to damange the iPod, you could try it on a small section on the bottom or side (not the screen).

[mmmbbbccc]

Originally Posted by Steve

I don't think Rainx is going to help prevent scratches at all. It would probably do exactly what it does on a car; run water off the windshield (screen).

If you're concerned that it is going to damange the iPod, you could try it on a small section on the bottom or side (not the screen).

Thanks for replying. You're probably right. But if you've used this stuff it leaves a coating on the glass that is clear, uniform, and is actually a barrier between the glass and the rain. And it lasts for months on glass exposed to much harsher conditions than just rain, if you imagine the dust and debris thrown at a typical windshield.

Of course I want this to work so I admit I'm doing some wishful thinking here. Maybe someone has an older screen that was replaced or a broken ipod they could try it on. I emailed the manufacturer's for info. If they reply, and don't just dismiss the idea, I'll post the results.

[psk-ele]

RainX is actually a product that is designed to transform the surface topology of glass windshields to prevent adhesion of water. RainX fills in the rough surface of glass windshields creating a uniformly (well, assumed to be uniform) surface that prevents the water molecules from bonding effectively to the glass. Water is amazing chemically, but I'll skip the boring details.

I don't think the polymers of plastic are necessarily the material make-up designed for products like RainX. You are better off going with a product like iCleaner from www.ipodcleaner.com to help remove scratches. If you are really concerned with protecting your ipod, there are some iPod products that are just a clear plastic film (I can't remember the website, sorry!) you can use to protect the iPod without a traditional case.

Also, I think that in order for you to use RainX, you must first prepare the surface with an alcohol cleaner (and I don't know what is in RainX to begin with). Alcohol is really bad for plastics, it dries them out and makes them brittle (not after one use mind you, but its a bad practice to get into).

Ok, well anyway. Hope this helps.

[mmmbbbccc]

Thanks for your insight into this. For the most part it's what I have suspected.

The glass does not need to be treated with an alcohol based cleaner, it simply should be clean and dry. However, Rainx itself contains denatured alcohol. It also states on the product lable not to use it on any surfaces not approved by the manufacturer, though it doesn't specifically rule out plastics. If it worked I can't imagine needing to apply it more than once a year, so repeated use wouldn't be a problem. But one use might be.

Thanks, but I am aware of the many products out there such as the array of films. I am looking to prevent, not repair, without having to deal with the films, the way laquer and sealants protect other surfaces. The manner in which Rainx changes the surface topology and actually leaves a hard film that bonds to the glass is precisely what would make it repel more than just water, and help prevent rather than repair scratches. Unfortunately, I think it's probable that it would react with the plastic and degrade rather than protect it. Hopefully the manufacturer will respond to my email with specific information.

Does anyone know what type of plastic is on the surface of the video ipod?

[psk-ele]

Also, a point to consider is that RainX isn't really a 'hard' barrier. You have to reapply it periodically (indeed its now available as a washer fluid) because grit and grim from the road wears it off. I think for the iPod, tossing it in a pocket, bag, coming in contact with keys, etc....would most likely just remove the RainX and then you'd still have scratches.

I think the plastic on the 5G iPod and Nano are polycarbonate. The polycarbonate is apparently coated to increase its surface hardness and provide a modicum of protection against everyday use.

[mmmbbbccc]

Unfortunately it's true that it's only a hard barrier in the same sense the actual surface of the ipod is a hard barrier, which is very easily scratched and so isn't really hard enough. I'm sure you're correct that the ipod already has some sort of coating on the plastic. I was concerned the RainX would dissolve and remove that as much as damaging the plastic itself.

It would be nice to have the equivilent of a spray-on plastic coating product like clear verathane that met optical standards. NASA probably has something and eventually ipods will probably ship with it already applied, but I want it now. So it goes. Back to plastic film.

[mmmbbbccc]

Here's the reply from product technical service for RainX.

"We do not recommend the use of Rain-X on any plastics or
coated surfaces. This is because if you ever want to remove the Rain-X
we recommend either Softscrub or Bon-Ami. Both of these are mild
abrsaives and will scratch or harm plastics and coatings."

This is not the technical analysis I would have preferred. It actually doesn't answer my concern of whether or not RainX itself will damage the ipod. It actually indicates it may bond stronger to plastic than to glass, which may be a good thing for my purposes. because if I put it on I don't plan on removing it. Now we know not to clean our plastic surfaces with Softscrub or Bon-Ami but nothing about RainX.

It was all just a passing thought anyway.

[Stinkysteve]

When I worked as a photo assistant, we used to use a product called Brillianize to polish the plastic surfaces we would photograph itmes on.

http://www.brillianize.com/

This should be better and safer thain RainX.

[mmmbbbccc]

This looks pretty good. Thanks.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by psk-ele

RainX is actually a product that is designed to transform the surface topology of glass windshields to prevent adhesion of water. RainX fills in the rough surface of glass windshields creating a uniformly (well, assumed to be uniform) surface that prevents the water molecules from bonding effectively to the glass. Water is amazing chemically, but I'll skip the boring details.

I don't think this is right. Rain X works by silanizing glass surfaces, leaving a hydrophobic molecular film; it doesn't work by leaving a thin or thick film coating.

Rain X also contains solvents that can haze many plastics.