Back up camera and water droplets

Not a big deal, I usually back up with my mirrors anyways, but if I want to get up close when I'm parking and the camera's covered in water, I have a hard time seeing.

Anyone with a 3d printer want to start making hoods that clip onto the back up camera somehow? so the water drips down and off the little hood instead of the lens

 

I was wondering about waxing the lens.

 

I tried that, didn't work as well as I hoped it would

 

@mesojdm ​

 

It's not dripping down, it's road spray from behind you. A hood would not protect it I don't think.

Not sure there's any effective method otherwise OEM's would probably be instituting it themselves by now. Every car I have driven with a backup camera has this issue. I just wipe it off every time I walk by and notice it is wet or dirty.

Maybe try Rain-X? Or some other hydrophobic coating?

 

I have a habit of always wiping the little lens off when I walk around the back of my truck, always use the inside of my t-shirt.

Yup the road spray is the culprit.

Tell you what, after you get used to it, it’s a neat tool.

 

I've always Rain-X mine and it's worked great.

 

Camera Condom®
Patent Pending

 

​

Protecting your view since 2017

 

Retrofit time...

 

https://www.rainx.com/product/plastic-water-repellent/rain-x-plastic-water-repellent/

I felt like I remember reading a long time ago that rain-x shouldn't be used on plastic, so I never used it on things I wasn't sure was plastic or not. But this is late 90's that I think I read it so who knows if things changed.

never sure if the backup lens is glass or plastic. I tried this product and it works pretty well for both the lens and the headlights in the most recent snow storm. It's under 6.00 so I gave it a shot, and it worked pretty well. I'll have to see how long it lasts. it worked pretty well on the salt spray on the lens. Even if it only lasts a few weeks, there's not that much plastic to treat so the spray bottle should last a long time, for only 6 bucks.

 

There is a Rain-X for plastic.

 

I had thought of this but, haven't run with it yet....someday
maybe I can sneak it past @mesojdm while he's busy making all of TW upgraded lights

 

I'll see what I can do

 

Challenge accepted

 

I never had a problem on my 4Runner. That one was behind the trim piece that hides license plate lights and the latch for the back door. I’m thinking that cover must have blocked any spray or drips, so a properly placed cover should work. The Tacoma is also worse than my wife’s Rav4 which is also covered by similar trim to my old 4Runner.
May look funny having something sticking off that camera though