[ratchet27]

The camera on my 13 SV 4x4 Crew seems to get dirty really easily, to the point almost useless. This is my 5th December in PA and the snow has been flying. I should have addressed it years ago! I assume it is an aerodynamic thing and was wondering if anyone ever mentioned it and/or modified. I guess the backup lights could be the issue or at least compound it. The camera on our Forester never get dirty. Thank you!

 

[RobFrisco415]

just spit on a finger and wipe it off? ....... #PoorMansFix

 

[fastfed]

thats what she said

 

[raine]

The camera on my 13 SV 4x4 Crew seems to get dirty really easily, to the point almost useless. This is my 5th December in PA and the snow has been flying. I should have addressed it years ago! I assume it is an aerodynamic thing and was wondering if anyone ever mentioned it and/or modified. I guess the backup lights could be the issue or at least compound it. The camera on our Forester never get dirty. Thank you!

Your '13 should have the rear tailgate spoiler, right?

If you're having problems with moisture, try this trick: spray a small amount of WD-40 on a rag, wipe the camera lens cover with it so it gets WD-40 onto the lens surface, then use the same rag to wipe any excess.

 

[thenzero]

Neat trick.

 

[ratchet27]

Your '13 should have the rear tailgate spoiler, right?

If you're having problems with moisture, try this trick: spray a small amount of WD-40 on a rag, wipe the camera lens cover with it so it gets WD-40 onto the lens surface, then use the same rag to wipe any excess.

Thank you for the reply! Indeed it does have the spoiler. I'm not really sure what causes it but my guess is that road debris is getting thrown up on to it.

 

[fastfed]

is it glass or plastic over the camera lens? if glass neat trick if plastic, I wouldn't do that

 

[raine]

is it glass or plastic over the camera lens? if glass neat trick if plastic, I wouldn't do that

Thus the part about "wiping it off". The idea is to leave a very very thin coat to repel moisture. I've done this many times during the rainy season (though not lately, because SoCal rainy seasons just disappeared). It doesn't last forever, but it helps repel moisture. But when the rain is done (or snow, in the OPs case) it washes away with a soapy car wash.

You get into trouble with any oil-based products + clear plastics if you let it soak in, or leave the oil-based product just sitting on top of the clear plastic.

 

[20009]

I have the same problem with my Frontier and my NV. I keep a klenex tissue inthe door pocket and wipe off the lense every now and then. Works great

 

[shift_RUSH]

At night, I see a lot of glare from the OEM license plate lights. Anyone else? Pretty sure I'd skip these if converting to LEDs.

 

[jstpsgthruyrwrld]

A plastic lens can be cleaned with Novus 1 or other plastic cleaner. Novus 1 is used for Harley Davidson Lexan windshields. It helps keep the surface clean, and makes it easy to cleanup, if needed.

 

[raine]

At night, I see a lot of glare from the OEM license plate lights. Anyone else? Pretty sure I'd skip these if converting to LEDs.

I have LEDs for reverse and license plate lamps, never really noticed any glare from the license plate LEDs (?)

 

[ratchet27]

So folks, I've been researching this some more. General googling and it is pretty typical with all pickups. Some points (some already mentioned here too) : Reasonably sure most lens are plastic which precludes using anything with solvents, including regular Rain-X. However, there are products for motorcycle shields and woe and behold Rain-X even makes one for plastic! I see Amazon has the Ranin-X and others but I'll try wmart and the franchised parts stores first. Not sayin it will make much difference but who knows? Merry Christmas!
I Edit! Our (in a small country bumpkin PA town) local O'Reilly's even has the Rain-X plastic in stock!

 

[Rhino68W]

Even the back-up camera on my wife's Civic gets dirty often. I think it's just apart of the game! A finger wipe every now and then does the trick.