Wiper Blades

[Nuke-E]

Just thought I'd post a few observations I've had with wiper blades on my Volvo truck. I'm pretty picky when it comes to wipers, regularly make use of RainX, and frequently drive in rain (in the car, usually fast enough I don't need the wipers much at all). Mark--Feel free to copy over to the resource guide if you'd like.

 

• Several of the low profile beam style wiper blades challenged the wiper arm's ability to keep the blade against the windshield. Even with a helper spring on the wiper arm, these didn't stay in place long as I ended up with an unwiped area under the center of the blade a few inches wide. The smaller distance between the J-hook and the windshield surface isn't well tolerated.
• I've had reasonably good luck with both standard metal frame blades and Michelin Stealth blades (from Wal-Mart) in terms of working well. But both, like most wiper blades, are EPDM rubber which doesn't last all that long when exposed to the elements.
• On a whim a while back, I looked to see if anyone made wiper blades with silicone rubber. I came across 2 brands, PIAA and SilBlade. The SilBlade product comes with a 5-year warranty (though a lot of people legitimately complain that they charge shipping on replacements), and I've been pleased so far--they've been on the car for a while now. PIAA sells a refill that's a little cheaper than the whole frame. At first I thought the SilBlade wipers were a tad pricey direct from them, but they were available on Amazon considerably cheaper--$13.50 per blade, which competes with a generic replacement.
• Also, the catalogs in most auto parts stores, Wal-Mart, etc. won't include heavy trucks, but the wipers aren't anything special. Most truck parts catalogs list a 22" wiper blade for both driver and passenger side, but both accommodate a 24" blade without issue, and that'll sweep just a tad more of the windshield clean. In my case, the bonus is that 2 of the 3 blades on my Mazda also take a 24" size, which means I can keep fewer spares on hand.

Thoughts?

[hone eagle]

The more vertical the windshield the less effective I have found rain X,from useless on a bluebird school bus to not worth it on the volvo .

My pick up on the other hand anything over 50 and a monsoon - no wipers needed in fact made vision worse.

 

Up north I found nothing lasts the winter without a degrading of function ,so new every spring. Is expensive worth it ?IDK.

[Nuke-E]

You just aren't getting those kids to school fast enough! ;-)

 

I cheat with RainX though--I don't follow the instructions and do the whole bit with buffing the windshield and all. I just give the wiper fluid bottle a good squirt of the stuff (or use RainX wiper fluid). I suppose I could say a squirt in the bottle and foot on the throttle!

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

I've replaced the blades 3 times since we've had the truck..... 16 months. My issue is after 2-3 months the blades start chattering on the windshield. Used expensive and cheap, with and without RainX, and haven't really found a happy spot yet.

Maybe the silicone blades will make a difference.

[hone eagle]

Very true , rain X works best the faster you go.

[Imurphy907]

I have had good luck with the GoodYear Hybrid wipers. I usually change blades every spring. Before switching to these blades, I was lucky to make it through the winter. Now I feel bad tossing them out, since they still work good.

[hone eagle]

I've replaced the blades 3 times since we've had the truck..... 16 months. My issue is after 2-3 months the blades start chattering on the windshield. Used expensive and cheap, with and without RainX, and haven't really found a happy spot yet.

Maybe the silicone blades will make a difference.

passenger side of the bluebird destroys blades quickly ,noticeably less life then the drivers side .The reason I think is a chip and some abrasions ,the rough glass toasts the blade .

Jim you may need to find a excuse to replace the windshield. :-)

[Gabbie]

Those Blades must be gold plated in Canada

$60 bucks Canadian each on Amazon.ca.

WTF

Even with exchange thats about 14.00 US on Amazon.com which is about =20 bucks Can, compared to 60 bucks off Amazon.ca that a 40 bucks difference ..like I said gold plated .

I bet there will be a carbon tax on them in Canada as well. oh and a disposal enviro fee, don't forget the 13% sales tax. oh and $ 43.00 shipping to Canada on top ..hahah

I think I will wait and get them once in crossville if I find I need a new pair!!!!!

[Nuke-E]

You almost sound like a red-blooded American!

 

That's a huge difference. You do know that you can still order on amazon.com and ship to Canada, right (certain items)? I have the headlights listed on amazon.com but not amazon.ca (they practically wanted me to establish another corporation in Canada to do that), yet someone can order from amazon.com, get charged the international shipping rate, and pay with miniaturized dollars--and it looks no different to me other than the address and shipping charge. I get the money in $US.

 

And for the record, they aren't available in gold, but they do make 'em silver: http://www.silblade.com/Silver-Premium-Silicone-Wiper-Blade-_p_103.html

[hone eagle]

silicon is the way to go ultraviolet,ozone resistant(almost forever) ,but get a twig /sand/grit under it or a rough windshield and they are still toast.

[budeneighe]

Costco has been running a sale on Goodyear 22" for 7.99@ Given that both the Napa brand and Rainx brand blades did not survive more than a year at most and were double/triple the price, I can live with these if they just last a year.

 

Rain-x treatment? Absolutely and expect the chatter. It goes with rain-x. I also use the Rain-x washer additive and it does make a big difference. Just a few squirts and things are a lot better for awhile. Lots more convenient than trying to get out in the weather to make visibility better.

 

I also carry the Rainx wipes. Not as good as the real thing properly prepared and used but still, better than nothing and they are effective in a pinch in the rain. Keep them in the Smart car trunk.

[Nuke-E]

Rain-x treatment? Absolutely and expect the chatter. It goes with rain-x. I also use the Rain-x washer additive and it does make a big difference. Just a few squirts and things are a lot better for awhile. Lots more convenient than trying to get out in the weather to make visibility better.

 

That's interesting--I've never had any blade chatter using RainX.

[Jack Mayer]

 

That's interesting--I've never had any blade chatter using RainX.

Me either....and I use it a good bit. Maybe it has to do with my application method. I use 4/0 steel wool for application, and scrub the windshield pretty good, using the rainx. Then I clean that and apply rainx in the normal fashion. Oh, and I've been running the pretty expensive rainx wipers....they do seem to work pretty well. But not worth the money, probably. For fluid I use the rainx fluid, but I don't know if that does much over the regular bugx fluid. Too many other variables to tell.

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

So in my case, what would cause the chattering? It's not every blade sweep, or every time it rains. Theory says the blade isn't reversing direction with the arm sweep causing it to skip/chatter. But it isn't a particular blade that does it. And I only notice it on the drivers side. No cracks or chips in the windshield.

[Nuke-E]

My first guess would be slop in the wiper arm (either at the base where the arm attaches or looseness at the J-hook) or possibly a weak spring not keeping it against the windshield.

[rickeieio]

So in my case, what would cause the chattering? It's not every blade sweep, or every time it rains. Theory says the blade isn't reversing direction with the arm sweep causing it to skip/chatter. But it isn't a particular blade that does it. And I only notice it on the drivers side. No cracks or chips in the windshield.

Drive's side always wears faster cuz it gets looked through more.

 

Seriously, I've had nearly new blades exhibit that behavior. I find that making sure you buy quality blades that haven't been lying around the store for ages helps. (do wiper blades have a "born on" date?)

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

Anyone have an idea on how to remove the wiper arm that's been in place for 16 years? Can't pry because I'm afraid I'll crack the plastic tray underneath. Started soaking it with the magic mix of trans fluid and acetone.

[CDR]

I have had chatter in the past, I am now using "invisible glass" as a cleaner/Polish and have not had an issue since.

 

Curt

[hone eagle]

re chatter : no problems with the volvo but when a car wiper chatters its raining and I get more and more pe owed,at that point I grab the wiper arm and give it a twist changing the angle of contact a bit , most of time chatter is gone.

[Yarome]

I've had much better luck with aquapel (vs. rain-x) but it does require a little more window prep initially to be really effective.

[Nigel]

Aquapel for the last twenty years for me as well.

 

Nigel