Ombrello

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Shaf

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Can't recommend it enough.
Those of you that have used it will know but those that haven't tried it, it is an excellent product.
I recently applied this to all glass surfaces on the A2. Rainwater just flows off the glass and the faster you go the better the results. It's also helped the wiper wipe more smoothly.
I was sceptical at first but having used it I must say it does exactly what it says in the advertising blurb. This morning it was chucking it down. Most other cars had their wipers on constantly. I only needed the occasional wipe. The windscreen is clear even in between wipes.
The packaging and applicator are unimpressive, left me thinking "is that it" and you have to be quick when applying it to the glass but once it's on it's supposed to last 10 months/10,000 miles.
With winter coming on I'd recommend it from a safety point of view.
:)
Shaf

1. Mar 2001 TDi 75 SE, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, winter pack.
2. Nov 2002 TDi 75 Sport, Silver,black/grey interior,climate.
3. Jun 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, wrong interior (black/black), climate, front fogs.
4. Sep 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, leather/alcantara, front fogs. HID Xenon's.
 
Similar stuff to Rainex. I use Halfords own brand (still Rainex but cheaper!) and it is excellent - no wipers required above 40 in heavy rain. It lasts on side windows for years.
 
Hmmm. Can I add my own experience here?

Last summer I applied RainX (so NOT Ombrello, but it is an established brand, so to speak) to all of my windows. I applied a dual coat. Quite a bit of work to clean all the windows thoroughly and then apply it evenly. In fact, I did two coats because I thought my windscreen looked bad after the first one. I was very serious in applying it and used more than half a bottle for those two coats, all round.

Anyway, I took this 'setup' on holiday to Italy and experienced a lot of rain while passing through Switzerland. At that moment I was thrilled with what I saw: just like the people above I saw nice droplets off my side and back windows and the windscreen itself indeed only needed the occasional wipe.

However, in Italy I had no rain. So for two weeks it stayed dry and dust started to accumulate.
My windows gradually started to struggle to form those nice droplets. In fact, one month after application I had a tough time seeing any real difference, on any window.
And to make things worse, it also looked as though the application came off in those spots where the wiper passes a lot. Like right in front of you. And the effect is utterly horrible. Strange patterns where the water struggles to go from film to droplet or back. And at night, I could hardly bare it. Over time it became worse and worse.

I must say I did not wash my car for something like 2 months, but that did make me decide that RainX does NOT work when you don't keep your car meticulously clean...

A few weeks ago I cleaned my windows with methanol (or whatever is in that blue 'traditional ' alcohol like cleaning stuff for windows - don't know the English word for it). That helped a bit.
Then my car went through a carwash. That helped too. My windscreen now wipes quite evenly again.

So I can't help it being a bit sceptic about this RainX stuff. Maybe others are better, but I cannot see this lasting for a very long time on any car that is cleaned less than twice a month.
And I certainly do not approve of the horrible side-effects of the application wearing off...

Sidenote: my wipers might be in less than ideal state too. They've been on for about 30k km now. But I think that wipers degrade very quickly after putting them on new anyway. First few days are great, and then they resemble the old ones again. So I'm not sure about their influence here.

Once again, my 2 cents ;)

Edo

--
(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, TomTom3 PDA Satnav, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)
 
Edo - interesting review on RainX, however Ombrello is not the same and in my opinion is the REAL stuff, Rain X is the fake stuff! Ombrello still beads the rain and I've had mine on for over 10,000 miles in which the car has been washed many times, been through snow, hail, rain, baking heat and any other type of UK weather, yet it still works.

Trust me when I say that Ombrello really is a damn good product and I think most people that have used it will agree with me.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart.gif[/img=left]Stuart Diamond: A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray

New A2OC Website! Join the Club!
 
Like I say, I'm sceptical about these products but having used Ombrello I am genuinely impressed, hence the recommendation.

Shaf

1. Mar 2001 TDi 75 SE, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, winter pack.
2. Nov 2002 TDi 75 Sport, Silver,black/grey interior,climate.
3. Jun 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, wrong interior (black/black), climate, front fogs.
4. Sep 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, leather/alcantara, front fogs. HID Xenon's.
 
Have to agree that ombrello is in a whole different ball park to RainX.
We had it on our A2 for 7 months (windscreen replaced then) and in that time there was no degradation of performance at all.
Also, I've heard quite a few comments about RainX not being all it's cracked up to be but of all the people on this forum who've used Ombrello, I've only ever heard positive feedback.

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a Merlot Red 1.4SE petrol originally.
Now an Ebony Black 1.4SE petrol with Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.
 
Rob, Shaf and Stuart: I wasn't intending to call Ombrello the fake stuff. I was aiming at the Halfords brand that daveyjp mentioned.
I've edited my original reply a bit to make that more clear. I'm not trying to bash Ombrello here. I can't say anything about it; just about RainX and that's how my reply should be read. Sorry for the confusion.

After my own experience with RainX I know for sure that Ombrello is really something different. After all, all I read is positive comment.

But my local Halfords just happened to stock (a single bottle of) RainX, so I gave it a try.

Maybe I'll treat my glass shower door at home. See if it feels at home there ;)

--
(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, TomTom3 PDA Satnav, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)
 
hmmm... I've also been very sceptical as I had the same experience with RainX. It lasted all of a month and was gone... and this only on my rear window WITHOUT a wiper scratching it off... maybe I will invest in this Ombrello stuff too. Where is it the cheapest and how much?

____________________________________________________________________________________
[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183
 
Johann, have a look in the members marketplace a few topics down the main forum page.
Here you will find all necessary details including discount info.

Trust me - you'll be impressed!

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a Merlot Red 1.4SE petrol originally.
Now an Ebony Black 1.4SE petrol with Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.
 
I am about to re-apply this fantastic product, we have done 14000 miles and its nearly one year on since the first application and its only now its showing signs of wearing out, I had done the front windscreen, front side windows and the rear screen (all from one applicator) and its only the front windscreen that needs re-doing, so this time its the front windscreen and the rear side windows and all the little bits on glass, if any left might try the headlights.

It the best glass product I've used. (and I've used a few)

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey
50% Brighter Bulbs : Audi 6 CD Changer : Rear drinks holder : Floppy Wiper : Centre Tray : Elasticated Belt System : Chrome Numberplate Surround : A3 Transmission Nets : Heated Mirrors
 
Is this magical Ombrello stuff also for sale in the Netherlands ???
I am interested after reading all this. I tried Rain-X but the effect wore off after a couple of weeks.

And this Ombrello can also be applied to the windshield without it becoming a mess ?

Dennis de Held

Amulet Red 1.4 Tdi
 
Be careful about the headlights, Lee!
All of these products are made for glass and not plastic.
In fact, from the few tests that I've read on these types of products, one of the most crucial attributes of a brand is it's ability to leave rubber surrounds and plastics alone, without staining them or, even worse, making them sticky or soft.

So if you put this stuff on a plastic component like your headlight covers, your risk the above, i.e. soft or unclear covers!

Unless the Ombrello bottle clearly states that it is both safe and effective on plastic too. And even in that case I'd be worried about how to define 'plastic'. There's just too many plastics around...

Edo

--
(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, TomTom3 PDA Satnav, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)
 
Apparently, Ombrello and RainX are supposed to do the same job. However, they are fundamentally two different formula's which technically should not be compared.

Ombrello is a fluoropolymer whereas RainX is a silicon wax formulation. Perhaps this explains the different results various people have had.

On the weathertec website it states that using the pre cleaner towelette helps the product last longer.

Shaf

1. Mar 2001 TDi 75 SE, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, winter pack.
2. Nov 2002 TDi 75 Sport, Silver,black/grey interior,climate.
3. Jun 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, wrong interior (black/black), climate, front fogs.
4. Sep 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, leather/alcantara, front fogs. HID Xenon's.
 
quote:Originally posted by swiv

Be careful about the headlights, Lee!
All of these products are made for glass and not plastic.....


Edo
Click to expand...

Very good point, that could have been very costly...., I will continue to use the Autoglym glass stuff (on the headlights) as I have been doing since the first social..

Thank you

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey
50% Brighter Bulbs : Audi 6 CD Changer : Rear drinks holder : Floppy Wiper : Centre Tray : Elasticated Belt System : Chrome Numberplate Surround : A3 Transmission Nets : Heated Mirrors
 
Shaf,

The precleaner is probably just a silicon remover. That would help to attach the polymer to the glass. Paint thinner would leave a oily residu.

That ombrello stuf is mighty expensive though ! But I'm thinking of buying it...

So you guys are sure that I can apply it to the windshield too ?? No smearing or anything.
Will this also help the windows from freezing up ?? If there's no water on it, there can't be any ice on it ?

Dennis de Held

Amulet Red 1.4 Tdi
 
Dennis, go for it.
The precleaner was a sort of chalky substance already on the precleaner cloth.
You can apply it to the windsscreen (windshield) no problem. No smearing, in fact the windscreen wiper works a lot smoother.
The order I did it in was front screen, rear screen, then side windows. You'll have to apply it quickly to get all the glass covered. Then just wait for it to rain.

Shaf

1. Mar 2001 TDi 75 SE, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, winter pack.
2. Nov 2002 TDi 75 Sport, Silver,black/grey interior,climate.
3. Jun 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, wrong interior (black/black), climate, front fogs.
4. Sep 2004 TDi 90 Sport, Silver, black/grey interior, climate, leather/alcantara, front fogs. HID Xenon's.
 
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