Product Code Database
Rain-X is a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied product that causes water to bead up and run off surfaces, most commonly used on windshield surfaces. The brand has since been extended to a range of automotive and surface care products, including wiper blades.
Rain-X Online Protectant was introduced to commercial carwashes in 2005. It is a water-based compound that is applied to the entire car's surface, working much like consumer grade Rain-X products.
Competing products include Pittsburgh Glass Works' (formerly of PPG Industries) Aquapel. Rain X wiper blades have the highest market share in North America.
The original coating has also had use in military and other government settings. The Australian military examined the effect of application of Rain-X and similar products to submarine antennas to improve signal transmission, although other coatings had longer lifespans when submerged in salt water.
It is also occasionally used in laboratory settings to Silanization a surface.
Ski and snowboard enthusiasts use Rain-X as "wax" to effectively overcome sticky wet snow common in spring conditions. While skiing or riding on mountains with hard snow pack, the heat of the sun changes snow conditions starting on the lower slopes. Skis may suddenly slow down, throwing one off-balance, because of a change in surface tension, a sort of "sandpaper effect." Rain-X is applied to the ski or board base, or to the bottoms of ski boots to reduce, or eliminate snow "wedges" that interfere with proper mounting into ski bindings.James M Schaefer,"Sliding in Spring Snow," Snow Pro -- The Official Publication of the Professional Ski Instructors of America Educational Foundation, Albany, New York, forthcoming.
Between 1997 and 2011, Rain-X was marketed by SOPUS Products, a subsidiary of Pennzoil-Quaker State,SEC filings, 18 June 2007 - EX-4.7 of S-8 POS for Royal Dutch Shell plc itself a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. On 1 March 2011, Illinois Tool Works acquired SOPUS's car care business.
In the UK, prior to 2010, Rain-X branded products were distributed by the SOPUS subsidiary Auto Expressions. On 9 June 2010, Kraco Enterprises acquired the company.
Industrial Rain-X products were produced by Ecolab and used in and other industrial applications. Ecolab sold its vehicle care business to Zep, Inc. on 1 December 2012. The sale also included the Armor All Professional, Black Magic, Blue Coral, Niagara National, Washtronics, and Zep Enviroedge brands.
Rain-X (retail products) was purchased by Illinois Tool Works, from Shell Oil Company, on 3/1/2011. Today, Rain-X is part of ITW Global Brands division.
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