Rain-X OK on backup camera?

Hello all-

The lens on the tailgate-handle-mounted OEM backup camera on my truck gets filthy due to really grubby roads.

I've wondered whether Rain-X, like you use on windshields, might help keep it dry, which might help keep it clean- but I don't want to find out the hard way that it might fog what I assume is a plastic lens.

Anyone have any experience or suggestions to share?

Thanks!

 

I've noticed this problem too, it happens to just about every vehicle that has a rear mounted camera. For that reason, I only use it to get close to whatever object I'm backing up to, but I also us my mirrors as a just in case thing. When I notice that the camera is dirty, I just wipe it off with my finger as I walk by.

 

I don't think that it's going to make a difference since that the camera is stationary. There isn't anything wiping over it like wipers on a front windshield. I think that you're wasting your time and money to put that stuff on there. As you go by wipe it off with your finger, it's not that hard, is it?

 

Can't hurt to try. What's a drop of Rain-X gonna run you? If you're doing your windshield anyways....

 

Rain-X is pretty harsh stuff, if the "lens" is plastic it could eat away at it...

 

If the lense is plastic, look into Plexus. It is made for plastics. I use it to clean my motorcycle helmet visor, as well as any plastic pieces such turn signal lenses and any plasti-chrome like the grill surround.

 

Use a little car wax on it. I've waxed windshields and plastics before. Better result than rain-x. It'll be safe on your plastic.

 

or you could use your finger, it's free.

 

Really? So...... Doesn't it like come in a plastic bottle? Think first...... talk later.

 

That's what she said.....

 

There are hundresds of different types of plastics that react diferently to different chemicals! I think one should take a moment to think over their snappy comebacks to make sure they are indeed accurate.
Op. Read the back of the rain-x for what it can be used on. I recently melted some of the plastic on my grille with goof off.

 

rain x - isopropyl alcohol and silicone fluid....goof off- noxious solvents . i doubt rain x would hurt but it may fog it somewhat. stick with that finger

 

Not sure how it would react to plastic but on glass (windshield) that shit is amazing, At 25mph the drops on windshield start to move up , at 45-50mph water will not stand anywhere on glass, above 50mph you can barely tell its raining, water beads up & rolls off, don't even need the wipers most the time... good stuff..

 

x2. mind dose not start moving till like 30 or 35. but maybe thats because i’m 2nd gen or because i get the washer fluid/bug add one. witch i got to go get tomorrow. that tank on my ’07 holds a hole damn gallon of it.

 

scott anti fog for ski-goggles applied with microfiber. It's basically the same effect as rainx and meant not to damage any type of lens. I use it on my motorcycle visors

 

I would use plain water +\- mild soap. AVOID using your finger, especially if you haven't first washed off the dust/dirt... otherwise it screws up the optics if your finger drags any grit across the surface (especially over time with multiple "swipes"). I don't know of a surfactant that would keep road dust from adhering to the camera. In any case, the clear layer exposed to the outside world is not a lens per se, it is an optically clear guard, the lens is deep to this. I wonder if Toyota designed that surface to be replaced when damaged, without replacing the entire optical assembly.

 

Think first, act like a jackass later...You have no idea if the plastic on the outer "lens" is the same as the Rain-X container...

Thank you for thinking...

 

Its really simple.

Rain-x is a product designed to be a hydrophobic material.

Goof off is designed to break down materials.

So I will keep up with the snap.

 

See above^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^.

 

The point they are making is both products can be purchased in a plastic container.
Rain-X says right on the bottle that it should not be used on plastics. It can cause plastic to corrode slightly and haze. It isn't a problem for a containment bottle because you dont have to see through it.