Wiper Blade Issue...

Up until having a cracked windshield and the guy changing it replaced my wiper blades I was more than satisfied with the wipers. Now I have bought at least 4 sets in the last 18M trying to find a good pair of wipers. They all seem to bounce or skip across the windshield after a couple of months. I compulsively clean the window and blades (alcohol wipes) and still have issues. Its to the point that its beyond comical. This morning I stopped and bought the Bosch Icons and the guy at Advanced Auto says he's had the same blades for 3 years. What gives here? Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Alcohol wipes are drying out the rubber in the blades. I have had good luck with the michelin and rainx blades.

 

I agree keep the alcohol off the blades.

 

A new clean windshield will have no real pits in the glass, such as erosion from the elements. Use Rain X windshield washer fluid. The alcohol is taking residue off of that new glass and making for a great traction surface for a new blade. Hence the blade jumping and skipping. After a few years of using Rain X, I would never use regular windshield washer fluid again. I use Tire Traction compound from my off road R/C cars to condition the rubber on my wiper blades (keeps the rubber soft longer).

 

On another note, I've got the Bosch Icons from Walmart, they are supposed to last however many months, took them back to Walmart and they exchanged them.

And yes, stop with alcohol.

 

Agreed with it drying out because of the alcohol. I have been using Michelin's from Costco for the last 4 years and have no complaints. Living in Phoenix, Arizona, I can get atleast a year out of my blades. I have bought them about December time when Costco has a buy 1 get 1 free coupon in their coupon booklet we get in the mail. If you belong to Costco, you can pick up the coupon booklets at any of their locations too, and not just the mail.