WIPERS - Powder coat gone

[Jossy92]

22 years on the freeway have worn the powder coat off parts of my wipers. (88 Civic)

I saw this product on ADS: Showroom New Restorer Black

It is a dye (therefor a matte finish?)
It is for rubber and plastic. (therefor I'm screwed?)
Maybe if I apply it with a stencil brush? (no brush marks?)

Maybe some of you old young guys have had a client with the same problem?

___________________________________

Showroom New Restorer Black

Recolor all exterior black plastic, vinyl and rubber surfaces ....it’s a PERMANENT DYE _________________________

[Murr1525]

Re: WIPERS - Powder coat gone

New wipers....

Dressings wont adhere to bare metal...

[JimboB5]

Re: WIPERS - Powder coat gone

Why not just repaint?

[bene vita]

Re: WIPERS - Powder coat gone

Hi Jeff,

Your 22 year old wiper blade arms will be an easy fix.

Go to most any Auto Supply: Pep Boys, Kragen Auto Zone and pick up a can of Dupli-Color "Trim Paint" for about $5.00.

I did our 1992 Ford Aerostar about 4 years ago and they are still perfect.

Here are the steps;

1. Be SURE that the wiper blades are in their normal "parked" (down) position.
2. Put a 6" or so strip of masking tape under each of the rubber blades and mark the position of each blade on the tape. Jeff, this is the ONLY hard part of the project ... do not skip this step.
3. Remove one wiper blade arm and MART IT on the inside so that you can remember which arm is the driver's side. (All these years I always thought they were a perfect match on all cars and trucks ... amazing what you learn over time)
4. Remove the rubber blades.
5. Clean the wiper arms with a cleaning solvent (I use paint thinner - some use Perp Sol, etc.)
6. Use wet / dry sand paper (240-400-600) to remove any paint chips and to "scuff" all areas of the arms.
7. Spray 2 to three LIGHT coats of the trim paint on each arm letting each coat settle for a couple of minutes.
8. When the paint is dry (read the can) replace the wiper blades onto the arms and install the wiper blade arms back to the original locations. (Jeff - you did MARK the wiper blade location with a piece of tape and mark the arm on the inside - Right? ...Right!!)

Here is the Web page for Dupli-Color that is NOT clickable.
http:// www . duplicolor . com/products/trim . html
Just copy and past into your address bar and REMOVE the spaces then hit your enter key.

Hope this helps.

Have a great week end.

Harry

[Jossy92]

Re: WIPERS - Powder coat gone

New wipers....

Dressings wont adhere to bare metal...

Thanks Murr, I think you've saved me some pain.

Thanks JimboB5, a good alternative may wait I am ready to have the hood repainted too.

And thanks bene vita, but, lack of exerience and trying to remove something that has been in place for 22 years. Well, I am ..........afraid. However, you post is a "keeper" and just before new wipers or a repaint, I am going to give it a shot. Might be able to pull it off.

Thanks guys.

[OBSSEST]

Re: WIPERS - Powder coat gone

I have painted wiper arms on some older cars I've had without removing. I just covered the surrounding hood and windshield with several old bath towels, masking tape around the base of the arm and let it rip.

Plan on doing this in the days before your next clay and polish routine just in case you get a little overspray elsewhere on the car. You can get near original looking results from a spray can so long as you prep the metal with a light sanding, prime if bare, and then shoot 2 thin coats at it instead of going too heavy (you might get some sags or drips).

[cnfowler]

Re: WIPERS - Powder coat gone

Jossy92, no worries. I have an '86 F150 that I did last year. They came off with ease. A couple coats of black paint and they look good as new. Don't be afraid. You're not going to destroy anything by trying to remove the wiper arms. Oh, save yourself the trouble of taping and marking where things are. Before reinstalling the arms, just cycle the wipers. This will reset the mounting posts. Just put the wipers back in their starting position and you're good to go.

Colin