What To Use On Wiper Blades???

[richs10]

I'm not sure whether I should post here or on the Stock Problems section, but here goes:

My clubman is about 2 months old. I wash it weekly and use Hydro on all surfaces including the exterior windows.

I just took a long drive in the rain. The little rear wipers are dragging as they go across the back windows; not all the time, but pretty often. The front ones are doing it just a little on the edges of the wipes.

Any suggestions?
Should I not use Hydro on the windows?
Is there something I should be using to condition the wiper blades themselves?

Thanks, Rich

[MiniMaybee]

303 makes a wiper blade cleaner/conditioner that works quite well.

www.303products.com or:
http://www.303products.com/shop303/i...TOKEN=69755824

[rockridge]

I bought some of the 303 wiperblade conditioners. A six pack of little foil envelopes. Unfortunately, when I opened the package, the "sponge" holding the 303 liquid fell apart when I tried to run it along the wiper blade. I tried 3 of the 6 packages before giving up. I may have gotten a bad or really old batch, but I would not recommend it.

[richs10]

I have a bottle of 303 Protectorant which I use on my hottub lid. Can I use that on my wiper blades?

[richs10]

???? 303 Protectorant????

Anyone?

Buehler, Buehler?

[kenchan]

RainX will help smooth it out.

[kenchan]

btw, that's rainx on the glass, not the blades.

[richs10]

Thanks. I'll give the Rain-x a try. I was so happy with how the Hydro had been working on the glass, I was glad not to have to mess with Rain-x. It is so hard to buff off the glass after its applied. But I can't stand jumpy wipers.

[matty125]

Originally Posted by richs10

Thanks. I'll give the Rain-x a try. I was so happy with how the Hydro had been working on the glass, I was glad not to have to mess with Rain-x. It is so hard to buff off the glass after its applied. But I can't stand jumpy wipers.

Rain X is not hard to buff off, read the directions, make sure the glass is cool You dont wax your car in the direct sunlight too.....do you?

[richs10]

Originally Posted by matty125

Rain X is not hard to buff off, read the directions, make sure the glass is cool You dont wax your car in the direct sunlight too.....do you?

Just speaking from prior experience. I hate any visbile film on my windshield. Rain-x leaves a film unless you buff the heck out of it after it is applied.

And Matty, you sure make a lot of assumptions there. I don't wash or wax my car in the sun. I don't apply Rain-x in the sun either.

[Frank in Toledo]

Originally Posted by richs10

I have a bottle of 303 Protectorant which I use on my hottub lid. Can I use that on my wiper blades?

That's what I use and have for years.

Tip: When you detail the paint treat the glass just as the body. E. g., if you put Epic, Banana Gloss, and use Hydro put the same on the glass all around.

[Bigshot]

Why would you put a paint product on the glass? These products are not designed to withstand the abuse of the wipers.

Use a glass product like Rain-X on the windows. I have been using it for 20+ yrs and love it. Just make sure you apply it as directed and a little bit at a time. I also use the 303 protectant on my blades and they perform flawlessly

[MiniMaybee]

Epic will in fact last every bit as long on the glass as it does on the paint. Plus, unlike other products, it is easy on and easy off.

[Frank in Toledo]

[quote=Bigshot;2450957]Why would you put a paint product on the glass? These products are not designed to withstand the abuse of the wipers./quote]

Fair question. I started waxing the glass on my cars around 1956 and have continued ever since. Today the glass gets clay barred, Epic, Banana Gloss, and Hydro right along with the rest of the car. What I have learned is that the protection against contaminants and the ease of basic detailing is well worth the effort, which is small all things considered. The only surfaces requiring glass cleaner is the inside. The whole car has the same shine and wet look. You cannot get that using Rain-X. As for the abuse from the wipers, well there is none that I have found and the wipers certainly don't need to be used as much as the slick surface sheets off the water as fast as it hits.

Beside making the car good looking it is practical as well. I am just thankful I don't have to use the old fashioned Simonize as when I first got started.

[Bigshot]

Those products still will not perform as well as products designed for use on glass. If applied properly they will outlast by a fair margin those designed to be used on paint. Think about it, would you take a rubber blade and wipe it back and forth on the painted surface? No because it would damage the finish. I would much rather have a glass surface that is clean and stays that way over having the car have the same look.

[leicaguy]

+1 for Hydro on glass

[Frank in Toledo]

Originally Posted by Bigshot

Those products still will not perform as well as products designed for use on glass. If applied properly they will outlast by a fair margin those designed to be used on paint. Think about it, would you take a rubber blade and wipe it back and forth on the painted surface? No because it would damage the finish. I would much rather have a glass surface that is clean and stays that way over having the car have the same look.

I hear you, but I really don' think rain-x or any other similar product will last for one year or so without having to be reapplied or streaking like a good solid sealant/wax combination. If you want extreme clean on you glass you cannot beat a good sealant/wax combination applied to your glass. This protects the glass just like it protects the body finish. Trust me I have done this for years with whatever brand or type of detailing products being used at the time.

Perhaps you need a new set of wiper blades - mine do not affect the shine on my glass or my paint - I tried it and no marks or scratches.

[kenchan]

Originally Posted by richs10

Thanks. I'll give the Rain-x a try. I was so happy with how the Hydro had been working on the glass, I was glad not to have to mess with Rain-x. It is so hard to buff off the glass after its applied. But I can't stand jumpy wipers.

here's how i use Rain-X.

spray into paper towel, use the paper towel to apply onto glass until
you get a light, even haze.

then take distilled water in a spray bottle, mist over the glass, and
wipe off using my glass MF towel (from detailer's paradise).

comes off very easily and does not leave smear marks.