best wiper blade!!??
- Thread starter madmaths
- Start date
4x4x4doors
Explorer
I've switched all ours over to beam type (cars and the truck). I think the brand on them now is Bosch but I'm just a big believer in the beam type. They cost a bit more but work as winter or summer blades and hold up well for us.
taugust
Adventurer
Not sure how they will do in Canadian winters, but I have been using Silblade. The are silicone, and just using them treats your windshield like Rainex. Their claim that they last 5 years is valid, as I replaced my last set right at 5 years. Best deal is Amazon.com with free shipping. Considering that you can't find regular wiper refills anymore, they are a much better deal than buying full blades in rubber that last maybe one year.
summerprophet
Adventurer
I am not sure what conditions you drive in, but here, summers are hot and dry, and wipers have to be replaced yearly, as the rubber is just dried out.
Silblade was the solution. They are pricy, but I am on year 3 or 4 on my set. The bad part is you have to order them online, so you can't just swing by the auto parts store.
Silblade was the solution. They are pricy, but I am on year 3 or 4 on my set. The bad part is you have to order them online, so you can't just swing by the auto parts store.
Hilldweller
SE Expedition Society
I like the Bosch best also.
Try a nano tech application like Aquapel on the windshield too. http://www.aquapel.com/
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/129972-Scrubber-Blade
luckyjoe
Adventurer
I too use Silblade wipers and have for over 15 years. The longest lifespan I have experienced is 8 years - badly distorted, permanent "parked" lean to the blade, but they still worked fine!
One note, make sure you get the traditional, metal framed version, not the molded or extruded plastic frame versions. I put two sets of the non-metal-framed Silblades on two vehicles in 12/2013, and they all failed by 6/2014. It appears that these versions have a much thinner connecting web between the actual silicone blade and silicone base (which is captured in the frame). Each blade separated at this web, at each end of the blade. Amazon refunded both purchases!
One note, make sure you get the traditional, metal framed version, not the molded or extruded plastic frame versions. I put two sets of the non-metal-framed Silblades on two vehicles in 12/2013, and they all failed by 6/2014. It appears that these versions have a much thinner connecting web between the actual silicone blade and silicone base (which is captured in the frame). Each blade separated at this web, at each end of the blade. Amazon refunded both purchases!
verdesardog
Explorer
I hate rainx. It always smears way too much for me, maybe I have been doing something wrong? I even tried the rainx washer fluid with the same smearing results. I just replace my wiper blades yearly with whatever I find at the time.
I put over 50 pairs of the Bosch Icon blades on the fleet of vehicles I manage last year, and I have to disagree with the advice above. I replace all our blades once a year in the fall.
I bought Bosch based on reviews and brand reputation, while they wipe well the attachment to the wiper arm failed on over 50% of the blades. There is a small cover that snaps in and holds the blade on the arm that would pop off and break regularly.
FYI I live in Jackson Hole where we get a lot of snow. I suspect that the covers were broken by aggressive snow and ice removal from the windshield without pulling the wipers away from the windshield. In warmer climes they may be just fine.
I have had much better luck with Napa's premium beam style blade and Goodyear branded blades from Costco. Both have lasted at least a year, and on my personal vehicles 2-3 years.
I think I might give Silblades a try this season though.
I bought Bosch based on reviews and brand reputation, while they wipe well the attachment to the wiper arm failed on over 50% of the blades. There is a small cover that snaps in and holds the blade on the arm that would pop off and break regularly.
FYI I live in Jackson Hole where we get a lot of snow. I suspect that the covers were broken by aggressive snow and ice removal from the windshield without pulling the wipers away from the windshield. In warmer climes they may be just fine.
I have had much better luck with Napa's premium beam style blade and Goodyear branded blades from Costco. Both have lasted at least a year, and on my personal vehicles 2-3 years.
I think I might give Silblades a try this season though.
Chris85xlt
Adventurer
ive tried them all and i like bosch icons the most. i also replace them yearly and keep the washier fluid topped off.
Can you confirm the model type that you had failures with? They list four options (http://www.silblade.com/Products_ep_40.html):
Silblade Premium - Their standard blade, but says it is a powder coated steel frame, I assume these are what you use.
Flexblade - which is a beam type, which I normally prefer, but if they are the ones you had problems with I would want to avoid.
Uniblade - Which is a "hybrid" type (squashed frame type?), looks like plastic, but who knows. I assume this is the one you had problems with.
Rear-Silblade - Plastic, but since it is specifically for rears that shouldn't be as big of a deal. Much less use or hard use (at least for me).
Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
Yes you did something wrong. You moved to a desert!
I used it in other parts of the country and yes it can be a mess. The trick is to scrub your windshield with bathroom cleanser like Bon ami or Comet cleanser. Follow up with the best Windex job you have ever done. The next trick is to put on as light a coat as you can and let it dry. Buff the hell out it to get as much as you can off. Basically it's more work than is worth doing unless you live where you scrape ice off of your windows in the morning. It's amazing in icy climates for that morning scraping ritual. Best blades are Anco hands down. No quality control issues and cheap as dirt. Most won't dare buy the cheapest blades but they are the best. Walmart, cheap and work the best.
verdesardog
Explorer
Yes you did something wrong. You moved to a desert!
The desert is not the problem, I first tried rainx when I lived in Seattle, don't tell me it's too dry there LOL
And I did get the windshield as clean as possible before applying the rainx. The rainx did a good job keeping the glass clear before turning the wipers on but as soon as I turned the wipers on...smear, smear, smear.....
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