I've been using AquaPel on my glass for the past few months, until I switched to SilBlades (they don't want you to use anything with them). I thought the AquaPel worked a lot better and lasted a lot longer than Rain-X, although it did cost a bit more.

 

How are the Silblades? Do you notice any performance difference?

 

Well, they've been sort of funky, to be honest. I bought the "FlexBlade" version because they are less bulky and the regular ones seemed huge to me (the casing/apparatus, that is). They look fine, and for the most part, perform great - better than my OEM ones which lasted maybe 3 months.

However, the passenger one tends to lift a bit in high winds, and the outside/top edge (depending on where the wiper is) of the passenger side one doesn't contact the glass properly. The driver's side one works fine, though.

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to keep them or send them back. I'll probably exchange the passenger side one for a new one, just to see if maybe the one I got is defective or misshapen or something...if not, then I'll probably try something different.

They do outlive the OEM blades by a LOT though. Other than the lifting/contact issue on the passenger side, they clear the glass a lot better and they've already outlived the OEM blades two-fold.

 

Hmmm. Well, until my OEMs fail, I'll stick with them.

 

Stamp "moron" on my forehead, I figured out today why my Silblades were acting weird.

I had them on the wrong way - I had the 19-inch one on the passenger side and the 18 inch one on the driver side.

Duh. I don't think I even thought of it when I put them on. So I switched them, and they now appear to make full contact on BOTH sides.

Doh!

 

Well, that's nice to know. I didn't know they were different sizes (not that that is uncommon).

 

Clarity doesn't blow me away either so I just leave it aside and use it when I need to.

Now... SLICK, however, is awesome. My car has stayed cleaner than it usually does after two days of rain and driving around through puddles and wet roads.

I'm totally sold on Slick on my windows, mirrors and the back of my car now.

 

This Sat I got up early and did the following: Washed car with Mystique. Hydro'd. Nero'd the interior plastic/vinyl, which gave it a great sheen, but not shiny, 303'd the exterior plastic & rubber trim and tires and light films, WOW'd the wheel arches, black bumper areas and side pieces, clarity'd the glass, treated the leather with Groit's leather cleaner/protectant (where is the DP leather stuff??), vacuumed the interior, sprayed Groit's leather scent in boot. This was my first semi-major effort since I got the car. It looks great! One of these days I'll Slick it, just to see....

 

OK sounds great ... but we don't get to see the results of any of this?
Also just for my clarification, you 303'd then BW'd the trim?

 

I tried to take some pics, but my camera isn't that good and you really couldn't see how it came out. No, I used Black Wow on the wheel arches, black side strips and front & rear bumbers. I used 303 on other plastic/rubber surfaces and tires.

 

Your journey to the Dark Side is now complete.

 

Not yet. I haven't clayed, Swirled, Amigo'd or Epic'd yet.

 

You will. I have foreseen it. I can sense the FEAR of SWIRLS in you.


Actually - I haven't clayed, Swirled, or Amigo'd Blimey yet - I did Epic him several months ago... He's past due for another - though Hydro and Slick have been maintaining him so well, I've been to lazy to re-Epic.

He's gettin a little swirly now - will be due for his annual de-swirling soon...