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General => Roadcraft => Topic started by: Stig / Major Tom on March 18, 2023, 05:07:46 PM

Title: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on March 18, 2023, 05:07:46 PM
I have other, cheap leather gloves I can wear in the rain - but for months now I've needed to use heated gloves for so many rides in the rain.

(https://i.postimg.cc/zfYMrXPM/20230318-115935.jpg)

For my battery heated gloves I am trying these to repel water on my all too frequent rides in the rain!

I cannot tell if the Rain-X is doing anything. At least it's not making it harder to see at night in a driving rainstorm. I'm dealing with oncoming headlights in the city, and then with disappearing road shoulders out in the pitch-black boonies.
Wet streets double and triple the glare - so I'm really glad to get the city in my rear view mirrors.
(https://i.postimg.cc/qMynhJ74/20230318-120041.jpg)

Stig
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: CROSSBOLT on March 18, 2023, 07:49:34 PM
Don't know if the make "Scotch Guard" any more but it has worked wonderfully keeping navigational charts dry in the humid tropics, tents absolutely water repellant and rain suits working as they should.
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: mousejunks on March 19, 2023, 03:55:34 AM
There is no substitute for Pinlock inserts to prevent visors from fogging up. Only catch is you need a helmet that supports Pinlock-compatible visors. I've never bothered with those anti-fog sprays (e.g. Muc-off, Cat crap) again, they need frequent cleaning and reapplication.

For the repelling water outside of the visor, I have already tried RainX Plastic which is next to useless. Better off with a glass/window cleaner that has added water repellent (e.g. Invisible Glass). A clean visor repels water better. I have also tried ceramic detailing spray (e.g. Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic) which works well on plastic and lasts for a week of rain.

Jackets - my current textile jacket is rated 20,000mm waterproof, still all dry in an hour of heavy rain.
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: Neil955i on March 19, 2023, 08:24:22 AM
Regarding visor cleaning in the wet, can you guys in the US get these bad boys?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bob-Heath-Large-Opaque-Clear/dp/B006VB5JQM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1E6MPSMLTGFOB&keywords=Bob+Heath+v+wipe&qid=1679214174&sprefix=bob+heath+v+wipe%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2

Slips onto index finger of L glove and hey presto a windscreen wiper for visors!
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: john grinsel on March 19, 2023, 08:42:37 AM
Best bet in N America----on hands in rain/wet----Aerostich over mitts----=work, still good feeling on controls, add some warmth.
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on March 19, 2023, 12:35:28 PM
Regarding visor cleaning in the wet, can you guys in the US get these bad boys?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bob-Heath-Large-Opaque-Clear/dp/B006VB5JQM/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1E6MPSMLTGFOB&keywords=Bob+Heath+v+wipe&qid=1679214174&sprefix=bob+heath+v+wipe%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-2

Slips onto index finger of L glove and hey presto a windscreen wiper for visors!

My OLYMPIA gloves have a rubber squeegee (sp?) on the back of L thumb.
I learned to stop using my palm in heavy rain, just a stroke down with my index finger over my good eye works as well......every 10>15 seconds.  (in the dark - decent vision takes more work🙂
BIG winds clear the rain, too.
Stig
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on March 19, 2023, 12:58:32 PM
There is no substitute for Pinlock inserts to prevent visors from fogging up. Only catch is you need a helmet that supports Pinlock-compatible visors. I've never bothered with those anti-fog sprays (e.g. Muc-off, Cat crap) again, they need frequent cleaning and reapplication.

For the repelling water outside of the visor, I have already tried RainX Plastic which is next to useless. Better off with a glass/window cleaner that has added water repellent (e.g. Invisible Glass). A clean visor repels water better. I have also tried ceramic detailing spray (e.g. Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic) which works well on plastic and lasts for a week of rain.

Jackets - my current textile jacket is rated 20,000mm waterproof, still all dry in an hour of heavy rain.
I've had a Pinlock on all my helmets. I guess I wouldn't want to ride without one - because I get plenty of fogging with them in all the temps and weather conditions I ride in the dark.
My best practice is to keep the visor cracked a fraction ......always.
And my Oxford is made out of something resembling a good shower curtain....it will never leak and let in water or coldest air
Stig
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: Iahawk on March 19, 2023, 01:40:27 PM
from what I read Pinlocks aren't made for night riding due to the potential increase in glare...but depending who you ask some have no problem with headlight glare while others do
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: Neil955i on March 19, 2023, 01:55:59 PM
from what I read Pinlocks aren't made for night riding due to the potential increase in glare...but depending who you ask some have no problem with headlight glare while others do

I have one helmet I can't use in darkness owing to the pinlock insert tint!  It's only a light smoke, but might as well be black for all the light it blocks at night.  It came with the (HJC) helmet which is why I use it.  Yes, I am that cheap!
Title: Re: waterproofing attempts by a freq rain rider
Post by: mousejunks on March 20, 2023, 01:29:29 AM
Pinlocks do increase glare because they add a layer of clear plastic which causes internal light reflections. This causes some light sources to appear twice and light rays appear around things, especially if they're bright and coming from your corner of eyesight. Easy to get used to.

But a Pinlock with a good seal to keep the fog out is invaluable for safety.