I just got MINI wiper blades half a year ago, and they are tearing at the ends. The sun kills everything in Arizona, especially modern rubber (the EPA made sure of that).

Are there aftermarket wiper blades that last longer, and maybe work better?

 

I put some rain-x blades on and they work perfect.

 

If the OEM are still free, you might as well stick with those for now. Some people like PIAA and Silblades and I think they're more durable. Often, aftermarket blades do not make good contact on the edges of the windscreen. So if you're OCD, you might want to stay stock.

Out of the 3 or 4 aftermarket blades I tried out, I did find that the Rain-X make the best contact and the least amount of noise.

 

Only reason I got new MINI blades was because I was just inside the waranttee, now I'm grab-the-ankles time.

 

I started using the Bosch Icons a year ago, and I'm hooked. They don't make perfect contact at the bottom of the windshield on the passenger side, but on the plus side, due to the shape of the outside (forward) part of the blade, they don't lift at high speed. They are very pricy, but I think they're worth it.
For what it's worth, windshield-wiper blades don't really last more than 6 months or so, at least in New England. Between the acid rain, road salt, and all the other crappola on the roads, I'm surprised they last that long. I don't cut orners in 3 areas; tires, brakes, and wipers. Ya gotta go, ya gotta stop, and ya gotta see!

 

I just gave away my Valeo's. The lack of contact at the lower edge on the passenger's side was a bummer. Bosch MicroExcel are fine for a non-OEM

 

i live in central valley of cali. almost like az. ive been using the piaa blades from tirerack. seem to be doing fine after about 8 months.

 

Same here... They don't fit the curve of the Mini windshield at the far edge, but more than make up for it everywhere else. The Mini isn't listed in the fitment guide, but you can just get the 18" & 19" blades and they'll work fine.

 

has anyone tried the new style of blades that are curved and not composed of multiple contact points? Its supposed to eliminate streaking and ensure constant contact, but at 20-30 per blade, theyre not cheap. I'm going to try them whenever my blades go bad.

 

The cheap Ansco blades from the discount car parts place make full contact and have lasted two years now. (no streaking)

 

SnYpR, the blades you refer to are the Bosch Icons. RainX supposedly has the same design, but I don't think they're in stores yet.
Dan, I use 19" on the passenger side, and 22" on the driver's side (better coverage).
Bosch designates an "A" and a "B" for the driver's and passenger's side. There's no difference between the two. Great blades just the same.

 

I see Bosch pulling out ahead of RainX, a PIAA and an ANSCO trailing.

 

so i'd either go with the bosch icons or the rainx latitudes.
anyone know a good cheap place to buy them?
my oem blades are about as old as my car. which is almost 6 months and they streak a little. bothers me.

 

Is a dealer convenient for you? For a 6 month old car, you can stop in and get new wipers for free (covered until 3 years/36K miles).

 

just got back from walley world, they had the rainx latitudes...i didnt check the prices as i didnt remember what size blade minis use.

 

My local Pep Boys carries both the Icons and the Rain X Latitude.

The major difference with the Rain X is it's cross section is symetrical. So that means you don't have to get a reverse mount model for the passenger side if you have car with a opposed type of wipers. I believe Michelin also have a similar type of blades.

I got a set of the Valeo for my dad's car which happends to use 19" blades. I put it on my car and a third of the passenger side didn't even touch the glass.

 

hmm. yeah i guess ill keep getting free wipers until that warranty is up. thanks for the heads up rkw
but wat exactly do i say when i go up there? i'd like to get new wipers cause mine suck?

 

Is there something wrong with the OEM wipers of which I am not yet aware? Seems the after market silly-con ones can be problematic.

 

I use Valeos in winter because they don't ice up too badly, and the OE blades in summer, but I don't use the blades much because of this WONDERFUL stuff:



Doesn't streak like RainX, beads the water up better, lasts 6+ months, and you can drive past 18-wheelers in the rain with your wipers OFF and see great.

So... I actually like the Valeos, even though the bottom 25% of the PS doesn't touch the glass. The only PITA part is that the mount (where the blade mounts to the wiper arm) isn't aerodynamic and can leave a streak at speed.

 

I use Aquapel with the same results. It makes it so 75% of the time it doesn't matter if my wipers suck or not.

I think the problem with the OEM ones is that they just wear so fast. Mine wore in maybe 2 months, and those 2 months they weren't particularly great in super-rainy weather.

FWIW, I bought Silblade Flexblades and they are okay, the contact on the passenger side is not fantastic but it's just the top 2 inches or so so it's livable. However, I think I am probably going to try some of the other ones and see if they are any better...Silblade will always take theirs back if I find something better.

 

Where do you get the PPG rain repellent?

 

I keep my eyes open, haven't seen it at PepBoys or Autozone yet, but have seen at independent auto parts stores and regional chains. It gets pricey if you don't get it on eBay, but for 2 applications a year I can afford the difference between $5 and $10 per application... FWIW you an easily get 2 windshields out of one applicator, but you've got to be quick!

 

Before applying if there is wax or other products on the windshield should they be clayed to remove the other materials before applying Aquapell?

 

Probably wouldn't hurt, may help some, but I reached success with Windex and a careful cleaning...

 

+2
Well worth the 20-25 bucks each because here in PA where weather runs from 10 F to 100 in summer, they see some abuse and last me usually 2 seasons with a regular cleaning.