Wiper Blades - Replacement Needed

I've never tried that, but would ... And I'm in the same conditions as you .. Does it just put some kind of film on the glass? If so, how long has it lasted for you? Might pick up a bottle of that next time I'm near the auto parts store...

 

Ill second RainX. If you've never done it before, you might want to get the dedicated bottle (original stuff) and apply a layer that way. But from then on just use RainX washer fluid, it maintains the coating very well.

 

Don't do a hand application. Either get the Rain-x washer fluid or the booster:

$7 Rain-X RX11806D Washer Fluid Additive-16.9 fl. oz, 500. ml

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BPTVTK

The booster is excellent.

 

I have found, even with a brand new windshield, the washer fluid or booster will work pretty fast.

Weirdly a very long time ago, I found the hand application to have much worse headlight glare. I have never noticed that with either the washer fluid or booster. But, that was decades ago.

 

Rain-X is a good product.

Hand application works, just follow the bottle directions. Apply it twice with overlapping strokes in different directions. Don't forget the final "polish" with a damp towel.

I even began using the Rain-X for plastic on my motorcycle helmet visor.

It is so nice to have the water bead up with the wind to blow it off. The wiper ON time is reduced, also the intermittent settings will handle a greater volume.

 

My dealership said it would be $15 each to replace the wiper blade inserts. I may as well just upgrade to Rain-X latitude for that price. They're about that on Amazon and hold the windshield much better, particularly in wind.

 

OK, I'll have to try it out.... Although I have a real prob with paying stupid-$$ for 'washer fluid' though... LOL!
I just bought some 'green' stuff for 0-degree bug and grime remover stuff, that I was bitching all the way out the door after paying, like, $8.00 a gallon for ... LOL!

 

Agreed. I stick with the cheapest 0deg stuff that I can find, usually WallyWorld, and add the booster to it. Works perfectly and rarely use anything but the lowest two intermittent settings. The cheap stuff used to be $0.99, but it looks like $2.00 is the going rate. Sometimes Costco will have 2gal of Rain-x fluid for $6 or $8. I will sometimes grab that out of convenience.

 

Back in the day ... When I rode ...
We used to 'Turtle Wax' the visors on our Bell Stars ... And I bought a pair of gloves that the left glove had a rubber 'wiper blade' sewn into the side of the index finger, so you could squeegee off yer visor when needed....
I know ... Old School as it gets, right? LOL!

 

LOL! I can remember when 'generic' washer fluid was 49 cents a gallon. (Along with GAS.. LOL!)
I like to torture the kids behind the auto parts store counter now, when buying oil, with... 'Are you kidding me? I used to pay 60 cents a quart for Castrol GTX! ... In 1974 ...')
I think they're on to me now, as I give them shit for just about everything. All in fun and they kinda' almost laugh when they see me walk into the door .. They know what's coming...

 

I still hold on to the thoughts of $0.99 Havoline3. After an engine rebuild, I did a short break-in with dyno oil. I was surprised to see how close in price it was to the synthetics that I use.

 

Yup, anything over about 50-55 mph doesnt even need wipers unless its a real fine mist or whatever.

Jeez.. I can get a bottle of the orange winter rated RainX for $2.99 around here

 

More like 20-25 mph the water begins to blow off.......
On the motorcycle, more like 10-15 mph. Bike doesn't have a fairing. Just me breaking thru the wind.

 

Guess it all depends on where yer at. Next time I'm in Maine I'll be sure to load up ... Just like last time I was in Maine we stopped at a seafood place that was '8 lobster tails for $35.00!' .... It wasn't quite lunch time yet, and not really hungry, but we stopped anyway because .. Hey ... '8 lobster tails for $35.00' .. LOL!

 

That eBay link...


Here's what you get! When they say you will receive the rubber part... that's EXACTLY what you get!!!

 

Yup, I agree. However I have a spare set of blade assemblies so I can switch the blades immediately when I need them and replace the inserts in the old blades at my leisure leaving them to trade out the next time.

 

I found this helpful and will be doing the same when the time comes.

https://youtu.be/adRFPUFJDoo

 

I'd recommend new OEM wiper blades (not blade refills) however as long as you stay with the major brands you will most likely be OK. OEM will be a direct fit where you will typically need to use a supplied adapter with the aftermarket brands.

I recommend 'complete blades' as opposed to 'blade refills (just rubber)' as I've found about 50% of the time wiper issues are the result of the blades not supplying equal pressure against the windshield rather than worn rubber inserts. Or very often it's both. Besides, the complete wiper blades don't cost a hell of a lot more than just the refills.

Also, you may want to clean your windshield GOOD first as there may be a little oil or greasy substance causing the poor wiping. As OEM wiper blades will typically last longer than just a year. I've had my 3rd GEN for (3) years now and the blades wipe as good as when they were new. Of course if you live in an area with a lot of ice and snow longevity can be greatly reduced.

My above post isn't just a hunch but based on by selling and sometimes installing probably a million wiper blades and/or inserts during my 16 years owning/operating a chain of auto parts stores.

 

I respectfully disagree. The inserts are approximately $7 vs blades for approximately $23. That’s $14 for inserts vs. $46 for blades. I have a spare set of blades with fresh inserts for easy trade out and the inserts perform like new.

 

Ok, your inserts were bad, not blades or a combination of both. That's often not the case where replacing just the inserts doesn't fully resolved or not resolve the issue at all.

However, I will yield to you as you must have more experience on the matter than I do. Like I stated above, I've only sold/installed probably a million blades/refills from a 1/2 dozen manufacturers over the years.