Recommendations on Wiper Blades?

[BriLam]

Anyone have any recommendations on wiper blades? I replaced the OEM blades (of which I had regularly switched the wiper inserts) with Bosch Micro Edge Excel blades. I had heard good things about them.

I can't say they did a bad job, but it wasn't the greatest either. It's about time to replace them and I'm looking around. I see Bosch has a new all-weather blade out called the Bosco Icon. It's on sale at Advance Auto Parts and you receive a gift card for the store with your purchase of the blades. Seems like a good deal.

I've heard PIAA blades are great, but I am not breaking the bank for stupid wiper blades. Anyone have any opinions on Rain-X blades? Any others?

Thanks.

[Totoland Mach]

I received a ad blurb from Tire Rack about these blades:

http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/valeo/ultimate.jsp

They are pretty pricey, but I might try a set on the wife's daily driver Pathfinder.


Totoland mach

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

I dunno.... I've always liked the Bosch ME Excells; they're all I use on my vehicles.

Do you use Rain-X or anything on your windshield glass? Also do you use anything on the blades themselves to condition/clean them?

Personally, I find that using a little bit of Natural Shine on the blades, coupled with a treatment of PPG Aquapel on the glass tends to help alot, to where I barely even need to use the blades. When I do use them, however, there are no streaks that I can see (unlike other brands.)

[BriLam]

I do use Rain-X on my windows, but maybe twice a year at the most. Probably more like once a year.

As for cleaning, I usually go over them when washing the car with car wash soap and with NXT Window Cleaner when using it.

They mostly clear the window, but definitely leave streaks and it's obvious (from what is cleared when the wipers are used) there are some parts of the blade not making contact with the window. They just seemed to have degraded pretty rapidly.

[BriLam]

Off topic, but has anyone seen the new wiper blades for the 2006 Acura TSX? They're pretty sweet.

They are speed-sensing and are described as "flat wipers, which lie close to the windshield glass...to enhance visibility even further."

They're unlike anything I've seen, but I don't look at cars for their wipers. Take a looksie here anyways.

And I'm not trying to sell TSXs, although I wouldn't mind being in one.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by BriLam
I do use Rain-X on my windows, but maybe twice a year at the most. Probably more like once a year.

As for cleaning, I usually go over them when washing the car with car wash soap and with NXT Window Cleaner when using it.

They mostly clear the window, but definitely leave streaks and it's obvious (from what is cleared when the wipers are used) there are some parts of the blade not making contact with the window. They just seemed to have degraded pretty rapidly.

Just from your description, I can see two possible problems/causes for that degredation:

1) I've always had problems with streaking from traditional Rain-X. If you aren't able to find or buy Aquapel easily, you might consider trying Rain-X Windshield Wax. It seemed to be a little better about streaking than the regular stuff.

2) As far as cleaning the blades with glass cleaner, you may be breaking down the rubber with that process right there. The chemicals in that glass cleaner are actually kinda harsh on that rubber, since it is so fragile. That's why I use natural shine to clean them, because not only does it allow me to pull off the gunk, but it reconditions the rubber to make it last a bit longer.

Just a couple thoughts to ponder/consider.

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

Originally posted by BriLam
Off topic, but has anyone seen the new wiper blades for the 2006 Acura TSX? They're pretty sweet.

They are speed-sensing and are described as "flat wipers, which lie close to the windshield glass...to enhance visibility even further."

They're unlike anything I've seen, but I don't look at cars for their wipers. Take a looksie here anyways.

And I'm not trying to sell TSXs, although I wouldn't mind being in one.

Hahaha I'd hate that. I bet you can't use aftermarket blades with those, just like the rear wiper blade on my truck. Just one rear blade on my '02 Envoy costs $25 from the dealership, which is the ONLY way to buy them.

[BriLam]

Thanks for the tips!

[Murr1525]

That TSX blade looks similar to the new Toyota Avalons as well.

Also, I dont know if the Rain-X will last much after using a glass cleaner. It might need applied a little more often after one or two times with a glass cleaner.

[gb387]

Originally posted by Murr1525
Also, I dont know if the Rain-X will last much after using a glass cleaner. It might need applied a little more often after one or two times with a glass cleaner.

I use RainX and it seems the NXT Glass Cleaner removes most of it. Hard to say for sure but its possible.

[Don]

I tried the Rain-X window wax...once. After that first attempt (I didn't even finish applying it to two windows), I dumped the stuff out, washed out the bottle it was in and I'm now using it as an applicator bottle for Collinite IW.

In another thread, I tried NXT All Metal Polysh on the ext. glass, and discovered that it cleaned very well and during the one snow/ice storm we had, did remarkably well at repelling gunk from the glass.

[BriLam]

Glass cleaners definitely do remove the Rain-X from the windows. I use the cleaner only when absolutely necessary.