Cheapo wiper blades vs. expensive

[JDgreen227]

I use Rain-X or any other type of glass polish and seldom ever need to turn on the wipers. The only bad part is, I have to reapply it every 3 to 4 weeks.

Used to apply Rain-X on the windshield of my Olds 98 and it amazed me how well water ran off, but it got to be a headache putting it on every month.

 

[toppop52]

Willl, I use the lower price Bosch vs the expensive line, or Anco or other mid price that's on sale that day. I wish you could still find refills, I find that some blade frames just work great and the next don't seem to press evenly. I've taken rubbers out of new blades and put them in the old frames because the new ones didn't work as well.
I also discovered that Rain-X squished into the washer fluid at about 1/3 bottle per gallon of mix keeps the water beading as well as putting it on the windshield directly. Also the Rain-X winter version washer fluid will as well, the summer blend is nowhere near as good.

 

[buck12]

I always replace with a new blade/arm assembly. It has been my experience that once blade starts crumbling the arm will not keep tension either.

 

[JDgreen227]

I always replace with a new blade/arm assembly. It has been my experience that once blade starts crumbling the arm will not keep tension either.

Basically it is a good idea to do that because a pair of new inserts cost nearly as much as a pair of new blades with inserts !!!! BTW I have never left a blade on until it starts "crumbling" as you refer to.

 

[toppop52]

I can't even find refills anymore and haven't for a while, bujt when they were readily available they were about half as much as the whole assembly. Often the blade was fine and the rubber was just worn out.

 

[jonyyuma]

Willl, I use the lower price Bosch vs the expensive line, or Anco or other mid price that's on sale that day. I wish you could still find refills, I find that some blade frames just work great and the next don't seem to press evenly. I've taken rubbers out of new blades and put them in the old frames because the new ones didn't work as well.
I also discovered that Rain-X squished into the washer fluid at about 1/3 bottle per gallon of mix keeps the water beading as well as putting it on the windshield directly. Also the Rain-X winter version washer fluid will as well, the summer blend is nowhere near as good.

I like rain-x too,cannot beat it for several weeks, I was a little disappointed in the pink windshield fluid by the same company. Believe i will look for the winter version?

 

[JDgreen227]

I have used the Rain-X winter washer fluid for a long time, it is the best of it's kind I have found. Currently selling for $3/gallon at Meijers.

 

[jwstewar]

I kept having to replace blades on our '97 Honda every few months didn't matter what I spent. Found blades at Wal-Mart called Tripleedge or something to that affect made out of silicone. Put those on the car in April of 2001. They were still on the car in December of '07 when I totaled it by hitting a deer. Car was driven everyday and in that time period had 240k miles put on it. These wipers actually puts something on the windshield similar to Rain-x except you don't have to apply it. After using the new blades for awhile, you almost don't need the wipers. Once I got the replacement car for the '97, I bought a 2000 Accord. I put a set of the same blades on it March of '08. They are still on the car and doing great. Almost 100k mile on this set. They are now on their second windshield as we had to replace the windshield in July.

 

[Travelover]

I like the Goodyear blades at Costco. They have a rubber sleeve over the wiper springs so that snow doesn't ice up and lock the blade flat, resulting in a little sliver on the windshield that is actually clear.

Once a year they have them on sale for 1/2 price.

 

[clemsonfor]

I have also wondered about that, it just seemed to me that the OEM blades always lasted the longest vs. any replacement, but maybe it is the arms and the condition of the surface of the glass itself. I know when the glass is new water beads up on it and a lot of times with a new windshield you can get by without wipers at all in a moderate shower. I am guessing it is because the glass is not full of pits and microscopic scratches.

James K0UA

Thats called rain x or some other liquid wax that they have washed the car with in what ever soap they were using.

Go buy rain x at the store and use it once you drive over 50mph you almost never need wipers, even on a 10-15 yr old wore out windshield. I have and use to religiously do it.