We have several Mack MRU613 garbage trucks. When it rains, the side mirrors get covered in water that is pushed up by the front wheels and the cab wind pressure, greatly decreasing visibility. This is compounded when they visit the landfill and the water is dark from the mud and debris. Guys have to stop regularly and wipe off rear views and blind spot mirrors. Looking into some anti fog film strips (https://www.amazon.com/4pcs-Rear-Vi...?keywords=anti+fog+film&qid=1576699059&sr=8-4) that might make the water run off better. Does anyone know of a modification that would lessen this problem? Thanks!
Mirror visibility in rain
Discussion in 'Waste Removal and Garbage Truck Driver Forum' started by ldanielstn, Dec 18, 2019.
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are they heated mirrors?
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do they not sell rain-x in your area?
Fredterbert6666 Thanks this. -
Like they said heated mirrors , windex and a roll of paper towels , I know it sucks but I do it all night spotting trailers in a mud drop lot , thankfully its frozen now.
homeskillet Thanks this. -
Thanks everyone! Some of the rear view mirrors are heated, but none of the blind spot mirrors are. They cannot see at all when it's a downpour. Scared me just as a passenger. Rain-X is a possibility but I was looking for something that would last longer or an engineering control such as a metal barrier that is bolted on to keep the water from coming up from the wheels. This isn't an issue in the other trucks that sit higher off the ground BTW.
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If you clean the mirrors with windex until it has no grease or film left on it whatsoever, then properly apply 3 separate coatings of rainX, one on top of the other, the side mirror rainX will last for months on end, the slightest bit of moisture (even fog) will bead up and roll off, taking any surface dust with it. As long as no abrasive force is used after the rainX goes on, it keeps working as soon as it gets wet. On the windshield and headlights it doesn't last as long from wind and bugs and whatnot, but even so, a good thick application will last a month or so. The trick to keeping it lasting a long time is don't use the wipers...when it gets dirty, let the dirt get saturated until the water starts beading up, when it rolls off it takes the dirt with it without rubbing through the polymer layer.
When you apply the subsequent coats, spray it on a rag first, then wipe to spread the polymer in a haze, then when it dries you polish that layer to a shine. If you spray it on the glass directly, the carrier eats a hole through the other layers down to the glass, like when you write over permanent marker with permanent marker. Smearing multiple layers on gently you can build up a pretty thick layer of it, when it starts raining again I guarantee you'll start involuntarily laughing. In a torrent you don't need wipers, mirrors have more visibility and are clearer than in the daylight...rolls canardly and ldanielstn Thank this. -
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I've used carnuba wax on my mirrors and glass with great success. Some steel wool and quick detailer or water to lightly scrub the grime off the glass, polishing compound followed by carnuba wax. I haven't had to re-apply in over a year and my wipers are silent and don't chatter.
Do not use steel wool on the mirrors however lol
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