No rear window wiper solution?

[Sprtbiker]

I have a basic 03 Matrix. Therefore I do not have a rear wiper. When it rains, my back window gets really hard to see through. I have cleaned the glass with RainX but that doesn't make a different.

Any suggestions on how some of you do cope?

[fishexpo101]

Products like Rain-X work best if there is a steady stream of air to blow the water droplets off or if there is sufficient rain to move the droplets off the windshield due to gravity. If you get a fine mist there, the surface tension of the droplet will make it stick to the glass. Along this line is to get a rear hatch air deflector. Coupled with the Rain-X or similar, will cause airflow from the top of the car to run down over the rear hatch. This is pretty common on larger vans, SUVs, camper truck tops, etc. Some may have an OEM like look, others look like plastic wings tacked to the back of the hatch.

Running the rear window defrost grid can help cook off some of the water. Depends on how much water there is, and how fine the spray is. Usually ends up making the droplets more mobile, causing them to roll down the glass and clump together into larger droplets that will be more readily pulled down by gravity.

More permanent option is to retrofit the wiper system from another 1st gen Matrix to your car. Fortunately, wiring harness is shared between trims, so there is a good chance that the main wiring loom is there, just need to wiring in the shorter connector to power the rear washer pump and wiper system. Same goes for the internal wiper switch stalk - need to pull that from an existing donor car. There are also aftermarket options, but those can vary wildly in price, depending on features and brand. Will not be as easy to install as an OEM setup, but an option for those that do not have ready access to an import salvage yard.