what is up with the price of windshield wiper blades?

[prof fate]

as a former auto tech..

the rubber blades can harden in teh sun and weather, so for this better blades MAY last longer.
Most of what kills blades is a nick or cut - ice is a main culprit, but bird crap and bugs, chipped windshield too.

RainX or similar can work - BUT - if you EVER need a windshield repair it may not, most likely will not, work. The silicone or whatever the chem is in the blade/rainx won't let the tool and epoxy-like repair material stick to the windshield. So the free repair your insurance wil pay for won't work, you'll need a whole new windshield and end up paying your deductible if not for teh entire windshield.

"winter" blades usually have a rubber boot over them to keep snow/ice from building up in the arm 'mechanism' which helps them keep even pressure on the windshield.

 

[Oaktree]

Then I discovered RainX that helps water just run off the windshield. It's no good in snow but if I keep the window lubed up with RainX I don't need the wipers as much. It's not for everyone but works for me.

I've found RainX to be a mixed blessing. Yeah, you don't need the wipers at higher speed as the water just runs off, but once you start using it, you're stuck with it. As it starts to wear off the wipers chatter and streak. And it doesn't seem to do a bit of good on the back window of an SUV. After decades of wind tunnel design, you'd think they could make a vehicle that didn't create that draft that sucks all the road crap onto the back window.

I like the anti-fog stuff they make for the bathroom mirror, doesn't seem to work as well on the inside of auto glass though.

Not long ago I went to the auto parts store and asked where they keep the inserts... the two counter guys didn't know what I was asking.

The old time parts stores are simply no more here... sign of the times.

I haven't seen those inserts in decades, probably not since the 70s or 80s. Pretty hard to get the inserts in/out of the newer blades without destroying them.

I've never found the so-called winter blades made any difference one way or the other.

As far as old-school parts stores, NAPA's around here are still more or less that way, but as the old counter guys retire/die off the younger ones don't seem to have the knowledge. I guess it's to be expected, young guys just aren't into cars anymore.

 

[2manyrocks]

The blades I currently have are evidently designed to be replaced as a complete unit of blade and metal arm. So I guess I will need to order a complete blade/arm assembly from Rock Auto and then after that I will be able to replace only the rubber blade part like the old days?

 

[sixdogs]

The blades I currently have are evidently designed to be replaced as a complete unit of blade and metal arm. So I guess I will need to order a complete blade/arm assembly from Rock Auto and then after that I will be able to replace only the rubber blade part like the old days?

Some that look like one piece are really two piece. Look harder to be sure.

 

[2manyrocks]

I happened to watch this Scotty Kilmer video today. He said at about 5 minutes into his video that an auto store employee told him they didn't stock silicone blades that lasted longer because they sold thousands of the cheap rubber blades every month that were a profit maker for the store. His suggestion appears to buy longer lasting silicone blades on line. Never Buy Car Parts From This Place - YouTube