Windshield Wiper Suggestions?

[Maniak]

The Bosch Icons are also the blades we use on the mustang. Its one of the few that won't lift at higher speeds. I try to catch them on buy 1 get 1 free deals and buy 2 sets like that. Otherwise they are more expensive than I care to spend.

We put them on the mustang, and then 6 months later we move them to the honda, and I do clean them before putting them on. 6 months later we throw them away. It looks like they could last up to another 6 months but they are starting to get a permanent bend at about 1 year. Arizona Heat is murder on wiper blades and the really cheap ones end up with blades stuck in a bent position after < 6 months. Even good ones only last upwards of 1 year on a vehicle that isn't parked in the shade during the summer.

The explorer isn't a DD, so I just throw a set on it and I have a few extra sets.. They are cheap sets. I think I'm paying $5 per blade if that.. I just throw a new set on at the beginning of monsoon season. (July). If I end up using it during spring showers (we don't always get those) I sometimes throw on another set, but normally I don't.

~Mark

 

[celly]

The only blades that truly lasted me a long time are the Silblades. I considered getting a new set recently, but they will only use UPS to ship here to Canada and with brokerage etc, these things may as well be made of gold. I did manage to score my only set through a Canadian source, but it was a real hassle.

I'll get a pair shipped to my inlaws in Wisconsin the next time I visit.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Another thing you can do- clean your windshield with a sprinkling of Bon-Ami and water- wipe the paste with your hands, then rinse well, may need to 'help' rinse with your hand also. That will get rid of the road grime, and wipers will work better. Bon Ami contains no abrasives, so it is no more abrasive than a wash mitt.

They also have a glass cleaner now, it works pretty well.

BON AMI

 

[1AJeremyD]

I think the best "wiper blade" is none! I used a water repellent on the glass and I almost never turn on my wipers. It's great considering I am too lazy to replace the ones that chatter across the glass lol. Saves me on headaches

 

[BigRondo]

Well my Rain-X Latitudes have crapped out. Was hoping to get 2 years out of them. They went belly up long before that. I won't be buying them again. Back to the drawing board!

I guess I will try cleaning them before I scrap them. Will post the results. Windshield is new so I say it's the blades and not the windshield. I used the clay bar on all the windows when I last washed the Ex, on a tip from Joe. We shall see.

 

[Joe Dirt]

...never underestimate the power of road grime...

I wash mine with Bon-Ami every 5-6 washes. The blades do take a beating though, between sun, hot/cold, and bugs that get wedged under there- body acids, blech...

I resign to replacing mine once a year.

 

[BigRondo]

...never underestimate the power of road grime...

I wash mine with Bon-Ami every 5-6 washes. The blades do take a beating though, between sun, hot/cold, and bugs that get wedged under there- body acids, blech...

I resign to replacing mine once a year.

Joe, I did the Bon-Ami treatment on my windshield and rear window and I have to tell you the results are pretty incredible!

Thanks for the tip.

 

[fifthranger]

Something to consider down the road for those of you who aren't getting good life out of your blades

The Simple Green or Bon Ami suggestions may be worth my while. I try to gently clean between the blades carefully every now and again with a slightly wet cloth rag. I've never really had an awesome wiper, and I've used Trico, Anco, TripleEdge, etc. If I get 6 - 8 months out of one, then I'm happy. I rarely replace in pairs, but recently both fronts were replaced with Valvoline brand, which were on sale at KMart for $6 or $7. I refuse to pay $14 - $20 for a single, premium wiper that probably won't last longer anyway.

 

[jrford]

i've also had luck with 600grit sandpaper, cleans the edges up well.
Bosch Icons about 2 yrs old now. . .

 

[jp450]

Good suggestion about cleaning the blades. I have used Bon-Ami after an old boss showed me it. I thought he was crazy at first. I use it all the time now. It also is a Ford approved window cleaning product. It is actualy in the owners manual. I forget if it was in the 99 or 05 but it is there...

My current work place replaces blades about 2-3 times a year. They never bother to clean the scum off of them. If they were the same size as my ex I would snag them from the trash....

 

[Triton8273]

Haven't been incredibly impressed with the rain-x lattitudes.

Has anyone tried the PIAA Forza Hybrid?

 

[Exproblems]

Another thing you can do- clean your windshield with a sprinkling of Bon-Ami and water- wipe the paste with your hands, then rinse well, may need to 'help' rinse with your hand also. That will get rid of the road grime, and wipers will work better. Bon Ami contains no abrasives, so it is no more abrasive than a wash mitt.

BON AMI

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Can you apply the Bon Ami and water paste to your windshield with a sponge or rag like rubbing it in good, or do you have to apply it with your bare hand only? Is Bon AMI similar to Comet cleanser? Also, does the Bon Ami paste mix leave any kind of stain or film on the paint job after you rinse it off of the windshield with a garden hose? Thanks for any replies.

 

[BigRondo]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Can you apply the Bon Ami and water paste to your windshield with a sponge or rag like rubbing it in good, or do you have to apply it with your bare hand only? Is Bon AMI similar to Comet cleanser? Also, does the Bon Ami paste mix leave any kind of stain or film on the paint job after you rinse it off of the windshield with a garden hose? Thanks for any replies.

I know the Bon-Ami is scratch free. I was advised by Joe Dirt to only use Bon-Ami because of this.

It left no stains or film on my paint when I did it.

As far as using a sponge or rag, we'll have to wait for Joe to chime in for that answer. I used my hand with great results.

 

[Exproblems]

I know the Bon-Ami is scratch free. I was advised by Joe Dirt to only use Bon-Ami because of this.

It left no stains or film on my paint when I did it.

As far as using a sponge or rag, we'll have to wait for Joe to chime in for that answer. I used my hand with great results.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Thanks for the info BR! I'll give Bon Ami a try and use my hand to apply it unless I hear different from Joe Dirt. I'll have to wait a few days till the weather clears up, been raining a lot and some snow coming tomorrow. I was just thinking I could apply more pressure to the windshield using a rag or sponge and it would be easier to get into the hard to reach area's better, than using my hand. I could also control the paste mix better I would think. I clean my truck up at least twice a week, windows included, but have noticed I get some kind of smearing, film residue on the windows when I clean them with window cleaner and then dry them with a paper towel. I hope this Bon Ami trick will get rid of the residue/film problem. Thanks again.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I only use my hand to apply the paste, for a couple of reasons- I know I won't have any rocks, etc, stuck in the rag that could scratch the glass, and 2, it's easy to feel the surface better.

Use only Bon Ami or Barkeeper's friend- not Comet- Comet is abrasive and can scratch your glass. It doesn't take much work at all to remove the road grime with the Bon Ami method- you might only need a couple of passes over the same surface with your hand, you don't have to "scrub" it too much. The first time you may work a little longer, but after that it's mot bad at all. It also rinses off very clean, you can "help" the Bon Ami off the surface with your hand as you rinse.

Bon Ami does make a glass cleaner, but it's way too similar to the regular cleanser to justify trying to find it. It's mainly at specialty smaller hardware stores. If you water the cleanser to a paste, you'll have essentially the same thing.

In fact, GM used to offer a powder glass cleaner to combat road grime. The product they sold was prepackaged Bon Ami.

Now you know WAY more about Bon Ami than anyone really should. Welcome to my world.

 

[Exproblems]

Now you know WAY more about Bon Ami than anyone really should. Welcome to my world.

>>>>>>>>>>

Thanks for all the info Joe! I'll give it a try using the hand method. I've seen Bon Ami in stores over the years, just never purchased any or can remember what stores I saw it in. I have to make a pilgrammage to Walmart this weekend, so I'll see if they have it there. If not there, I'll try Home Depot, Lowe's or a few privately owned hardware stores. Thanks!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Local grocery stores usually carry it. Not sure on WalMart, I think I had a hard time finding it there if I think back. Good luck with the scrubbin'

 

[BigRondo]

I got mine at my local Ace Hardware.

 

[Exproblems]

I got mine at my local Ace Hardware.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Like NFL commentator John Madden says: Ace is the place, then! I didn't make it to Wal Mart today to buy some Bon Ami as hoped, but had no luck at K-Mart or a Dollar General Store either. All they had was Bar Keepers Friend, Comet and Ajax. All said scratch free formula, but none of them said if you can use it on glass. The Bar Keepers Friend label said it contains some mild abrasives and I think someone else in here mentioned they use it on their windshields. I won't try it because of the abrasives.

 

[BigRondo]

It was Joe Dirt that mentioned Bar Keeper's Friend:

I Use only Bon Ami or Barkeeper's friend- not Comet- Comet is abrasive and can scratch your glass.