MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring

BradB · #1 12-15-2005, 02:01 PM

It's cold and sloppy weather here in St. Louis and my wipers are getting a workout with the dirt and salt spray from passing vehicles, daily frostings and all that comes with Midwest winter.

My blades have been missing a few spots and chattering a bit. I usually solve this with a good windshield cleaning and polish but frankly I have been way too lazy lately.

I got some of these special wipes a few months ago and finally gave them a try. They are actually a tiny dressing-soaked foam pad sealed in individual packets. I opened one up and slid it up and down the blades several times, waited one minute (per directions) then wiped dry.

It was like I had new blades! Cool! I recommed getting a box of these wipes next time you order something. They are cheap, too!!

Disco · #2 12-15-2005, 03:32 PM

Can you repost the link? Thanks!!!

AZMCS · #3 12-15-2005, 10:29 PM

Brad,
These also work amazingly well on my overly high priced PIAA blades. In fact, if I remember correctly, I was tipped off to them by my service advisor who saw that I had them, adn he used the 303 wipes on his!

They are great and well worth the price of addmission.

BradB · #4 12-16-2005, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disco

Can you repost the link? Thanks!!!

The link worked for me...but here it is again! Wiper Wipes.

Yucca Patrol · #5 12-16-2005, 06:48 AM

I use a microfiber and rubbing alcohol to clean any residue from my blades. . . never knew there was a product for doing the same thing. . .

BradB · #6 12-16-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuccaPatrol

I use a microfiber and rubbing alcohol to clean any residue from my blades. . . never knew there was a product for doing the same thing. . .

Ditto, I used to do the same thing. But there is something more than alcohol in these wipes (if any at all-I can't smell it) there is a dressing that leaves a coating of some sort.

Yucca Patrol · #7 12-16-2005, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradB

Ditto, I used to do the same thing. But there is something more than alcohol in these wipes (if any at all-I can't smell it) there is a dressing that leaves a coating of some sort.

Maybe a little bit of silicone or something to lube and recondition the rubber?

BradB · #8 12-16-2005, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YuccaPatrol

Maybe a little bit of silicone or something to lube and recondition the rubber?

Yea, perhaps. I am thinking there is something that makes the blades "swell" a little, or re-hydrate. But that's just a guess. They don't feel oily or greasy at all afterwards but they do look a slight bit blacker, if only slightly.

I have tried various vinyl dressings before and that was a mistake. They often caused the blades to smear or streak.

Disco · #9 12-16-2005, 10:57 AM

Thanks BradB!!!

jwardell · #10 12-16-2005, 01:15 PM

They look and sound exactly the same as the free samples of 303 many of us got. A 1.5-inch by 3-inch piece of 2mm-thick white foam presoaked with 303.
And of course being silicone rubber, wipers should benefit from 303.
And what a coincidence, it is the same brand.

All I'm sayin' is, grab your bottle of 303 (you DO have one for its million other uses, right?) and apply it with any cloth or sponge to your wipers. No need to buy special individually packaged wipes.

What I am looking for is an alternative to Rain-X window treatment. I'm surprised to see they really don't have much competition, if any.
Something that works even better or lasts even longer. Like we've experienced with so many other not-found-in-stores car care products.

chrisneal · #11 12-16-2005, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwardell

What I am looking for is an alternative to Rain-X window treatment. I'm surprised to see they really don't have much competition, if any. Something that works even better or lasts even longer. Like we've experienced with so many other not-found-in-stores car care products.

I don't know if there's any product that would stand up to the ice scraping necessary around these parts this time of year (unless you have a garage!). I don't even bother with stuff like that in the winter...

The wipers, on the other hand... Mine are only 6 months old and still work great, but I'll try the 303 as soon as they start to misbehave.

BradB · #12 12-16-2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwardell

All I'm sayin' is, grab your bottle of 303 (you DO have one for its million other uses, right?) and apply it with any cloth or sponge to your wipers. No need to buy special individually packaged wipes.

Yea, that seemed way too obvious to me too, but I tried 303 Protectant and a host of other dressings before and they didn't work as well.

Psychological? Who knows? But I think I can see the difference...literally!

BradB · #13 12-16-2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwardell

What I am looking for is an alternative to Rain-X window treatment. I'm surprised to see they really don't have much competition, if any.
Something that works even better or lasts even longer. Like we've experienced with so many other not-found-in-stores car care products.

Have you tried PPG's Aquapel? It's about $15 or less a package, I believe. It lasts 5-6 months. It does make snow and ice easier to remove. Haven't bought it in a year or two so not sure who is carrying it now. A Google search should find it quickly.

agranger · #14 12-16-2005, 06:50 PM

Yep. There in something other than 303 protectant or alcohol in the 303 wiper pads... They are definately very cool.

**lotsie** · #15 12-16-2005, 10:48 PM

In ice and snow it's not the blades, but the springs that are the issue.
I have winter blades with boots over the springs. They are way better than open springs.

jwardell · #16 12-20-2005, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradB

Have you tried PPG's Aquapel? It's about $15 or less a package, I believe. It lasts 5-6 months. It does make snow and ice easier to remove. Haven't bought it in a year or two so not sure who is carrying it now. A Google search should find it quickly.

I saw that over at tirerack and thought I would try it but I haven't ordered it from tirerack since...maybe I should request autopia to carry it. Reading the description thought it sounds exactly like rainx. Need to find an independent comparison. (I would do it myself, but I'm out of rainx, and it's the wrong season to get my windows clean)

NMgokart · #17 01-06-2006, 02:30 PM

I believe that STP's Vision Blade is the same formula as Aquapel, and less expensive.
Whatever you do, DO NOT USE Rainex Swipe and Wipe. I tried this on my Exploder, and got a huge smeary mess which will not clean off.

n0uk · #18 01-08-2006, 08:31 AM

What is this "303" product that you're all in the know on?

BradB · #19 01-08-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n0uk

What is this "303" product that you're all in the know on?

303 Blade Treatment (here)

And the 303 Rubber Vinyl dressing is also fantastic stuff. Factory looking natural sheen (not fake glossy) and probably the highest UV protection rating on the market. (here)

3 WIRE · #20 01-08-2006, 11:33 AM

Thanks Brad
I was just on the way to the garage to get my 303 to read off the fine points and saw where you had been, cool.

Also just finished the dash, cool again.

chows4us · #21 01-08-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradB

My blades have been missing a few spots and chattering a bit.

Very nice ... You also could have orded one of these

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_ id=23

Sorry, it was too funny to pass up

NMgokart · #22 01-08-2006, 10:28 AM

Chows, you're killin me, dude! Cross-drilled brake lines?
ROFLMAO!