Slacker wrote:

To find what is inside Rain-X, I first tried calling Sopus Products in
Houston at 800-416-1600 but they are only open 8am to 5pm Central time.
Their web page says Rain-X is composed of methanol
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...nds&id=2003038

Looking deeper, I then tried calling Kafko International, Ltd. 800-528-0334
in Illinois
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...ds&id=11013001
Interestingly, they say Rain-X is isopropanol and sulfuric acid!

I look again at Shell Oil's Rain-X only to find it's made out of
"unspecified surfactants" and water!
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...ds&id=19037001

Back at Pennzoil-Quaker State, we find Rain-X composed of clay, alcohol,
and emulsifiers!
Clays = 1-10%
Ethanol/SD Alcohol 40 = 70-95%
Isopropanol = 1-10%
Thickening agent(s) = 1-5%
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov...nds&id=2003042

Moving to Scottsdale Arizona, calling Unelko Corp at 800-528-3149, I find
it's got a whole recipe of "anes", "ols", "acids", and "ones"...
Ethanol/SD Alcohol 40 = 86%
Isopropanol = 4%
Ethyl sulfate = 1%
Polydimethylsiloxanes Silicon oil = 9%
Silicic acid (H4SiO4), tetraethyl ester, hydrolysis products with
chlorotrimethylsilane = 9%
Siloxanes and Silicones, di-Me, hydroxy-terminated = 9%

What's with the ingredients of Rain-X?
Is it basically snake oil and placebo or does it actually have a consistent
consistency?


WTF are you talking about? You've checked 3 different Rain-X branded
products (washer fluid, original, and "windshield wax") plus one
completely un-related product that isn't even Rain-X! Of COURSE the
formulations are different! Sheesh.