windshield wipers: good, better, best?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

When it comes to windshield wipers is there such a thing as good, better, best? Seems like we are forever buying new blades, but maybe they are meant to be more disposable. We have a 2011 Toyota Corolla and I sure would like to see in the rain without skips and streaks. Are there brands to avoid? Brands to seek out?

While filling up the gas tank, I like to clean the windshield and use the sponge to wipe the contact surface of the wiper. Seem like a good idea?

[bjl584]

Spray a little brake cleaner on a rag and give the blades a good wipe.
It will remove all the oils and gunk from the road from the rubber blades.
You will double their life span.

As far as good/better/best:
There is some merit to that.
OEM wipers will usually work better than the aftermarket stuff.
They are custom designed to fit the windshield and will give you a better clean when they stroke across the glass

[riverwed070707]

I'm not usually a brand name advocate, but I had a similar frustration as you and started buying RainX for both the blades and my wiper fluid. Night and day difference. They're pricey at around $25/blade but I only replace them once every 1.5-2 years

[disneysteve]

There are definitely good, better, and best when it comes to wipers. You can see that pretty clearly when you're shopping as one brand will typically have several quality levels whether it's Rain-X or Bosch or Michelin or whatever. It absolutely makes a difference in performance and lifespan.

[james.hendrickson]

Spray a little brake cleaner on a rag and give the blades a good wipe.
It will remove all the oils and gunk from the road from the rubber blades.
You will double their life span.

As far as good/better/best:
There is some merit to that.
OEM wipers will usually work better than the aftermarket stuff.
They are custom designed to fit the windshield and will give you a better clean when they stroke across the glass

Totally shared this on Facebook - good tip BJ.

[ua_guy]

Don't use brake cleaner. It's a heavy solvent, toxic to breathe, irritates skin and mucous membranes, and if your blades are rubber, it can destroy the material. Soap and water or a gentle degreaser like Simple Green work very, very well. I do my own work on my cars and I don't use brake (or carb) cleaner when I don't have to.

If your wipers judder or leave streaks or the windshield is a field of glare when it rains, try a thorough cleaning of the windshield and blades first. GM has recommended for ages to clean the windshield's exterior with Bon Ami. It gets what common window cleaners and carwash soaps can't. I can't say this enough... clean the windshield thoroughly and the wipers before replacing blades (unless they're cracked, ripped, etc).

Wiper material can age and deteriorate, especially if you park outside or have harsh winters. It also deteriorates if you run your wipers with heavy friction (run them on high speed, dragging across the glass with no moisture). They do need to be replaced periodically, but I know some people that go through 2-3 sets per year. Talk about wasted $$$ and excess waste.

IMO most wipers are all pretty much the same except the difference between silicone and rubber, go silicone, and buy what you think looks good. I prefer the one-piece beam style but they don't always work as good for sharply curved windshield edges. Nothing does, really.

Know what I do? I go on Rockauto and buy the cheapest closeout blades that are the correct OE style. I picked up a set of Bosch CA's for my Jeep for about $5/each.