Wiper blade maintenance

[Lexus Fan]

I just spent over $50.00 for OEM Lexus wiper blades and wanted to see what the best product is to lengthen the life of the rubber blade and keep them from drying out and cracking. Any ideas?

[Please Wash Me Detailing]

I use 38/40 but any trim dressing will do

[h_bomm]

I've always thought of using a dressing like that on my wipers but was always afraid that it would just smear all over my windshield. You don't have that problem?

[Please Wash Me Detailing]

well I'm sure it would smear if it wasn't rainning.

[Murr1525]

Yeah, I tend to maintain the glass more than the wipers.

Clay and rainX so it is smooth. Scraping off any frost/ice. Using the gas station squeegee for any bugs.

[Lexus Fan]

Thank you all for your input.

[BillyJack]

The wiping action is done by the squared edge of the blade, so that surface needs to be clean to wipe the glass well. I'll clean the entire blade, dress it with Ultimate Protectant or Ultima Tire and Trim guard, then wipe off the edge with APC or alcohol. My wiper blades last nearly forever, but I really don't use them much. We do get our share of rain in PA, but I'm a regular user of Aquapel.

Bill

[JET_Fusion]

That's a tough one. I use to try different combinations of products but I never found the magic one that provided appreciable longevity. I eventually reasoned that the two desired effects are opposites: natural rubber for maximum squeegee and proper protectant for durability. The alcohol method will work but I never found it to offer significant improvemt over not doing it; the blades always looked good!

What I did find, however, is that regularly applied rain-x was best

[mis3]

What I do is to wipe the wiper blades everytime I wash my car with the same Meguiars MF wash Mitt.
I do find that the blades clean better if they are clean.

[mswerb]

$50?!? Did you get them at the dealership? if so, there HAS to be an aftermarket brand that will fit.