General What wiper blades do you use?

[crispyy]

Dearest forum members,

I need new wipers for my panda, and have been kind of overthinking it (typical me).
I did some research about silicone wiper blades and have come across different experiences, ranging from "I'm never going back to rubber" to "it creates a haze that prevents you from seeing well".
While I'd probably be totally fine with just replacing the wiper rubber (not the assembly), I kind of like the idea that silicone wipers last way longer.

What wiper blades do y'all use? Did anyone ever have any good or bad experiences with different types or different brands?

Cheers

 

[Mike1alike]

I'm using Bosch Aero Eco now. They are pretty good. I got them more than a year ago I think and they are still fine.

 

[jackwhoo]

Bosch

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Bosch aero twin. Tried others: they seemed ok for a while but got smeary quickly. Bosch on all our cars, changed annually. Not worth messing about.

 

[Big gerry]

Dearest forum members,

I need new wipers for my panda, and have been kind of overthinking it (typical me).
I did some research about silicone wiper blades and have come across different experiences, ranging from "I'm never going back to rubber" to "it creates a haze that prevents you from seeing well".
While I'd probably be totally fine with just replacing the wiper rubber (not the assembly), I kind of like the idea that silicone wipers last way longer.

What wiper blades do y'all use? Did anyone ever have any good or bad experiences with different types or different brands?

Cheers

I use original Fiat

 

[WitleyPanda]

Wipers outlet via ebay, can not be bothered to just change the actual rubber anymore, but don't stock the rear one
Will use then for all my other vehicles now.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Local factor supplies what they describe as "budget" and "good quality". I don't bother with the budget offerings so the choice has been, for some years now, either Bosch or Valeo. I just take whichever is available in the size I need. Both makes seem to work well enough in my view.

 

[crispyy]

Thanks for everyone's input!

I'm convinced that Bosch is the "safe" option, since so many use it, but I think I will probably try the Valeo Everguard since I can get them for a similar price.

On a different topic now, I treated the windshield with Rain-X rain repellent, and ever since the wiper skips whenever I use it, unless the windshield is completely "wet" like very heavy rain or using the wiper fluid. I was hoping maybe one of you would have some advice if you ever tried Rain-X.
It seems that one potential fix is to apply Rain-X to the wiper blades themselves, but I have yet to find time for that.

Worst case scenario I just clean the Rain-X off and use the rest of the bottle to treat the shower doors at home

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Thanks for everyone's input!

I'm convinced that Bosch is the "safe" option, since so many use it, but I think I will probably try the Valeo Everguard since I can get them for a similar price.

On a different topic now, I treated the windshield with Rain-X rain repellent, and ever since the wiper skips whenever I use it, unless the windshield is completely "wet" like very heavy rain or using the wiper fluid. I was hoping maybe one of you would have some advice if you ever tried Rain-X.
It seems that one potential fix is to apply Rain-X to the wiper blades themselves, but I have yet to find time for that.

Worst case scenario I just clean the Rain-X off and use the rest of the bottle to treat the shower doors at home

I tried Rain-X. Never again! It made everything horribly streaky and the wipers really were useless! It’s a b*gger to get off though - look for the glass cleaners that have a cutting/polishing ingredient - often labelled ‘intensive glass cleaner’ - the regular alcohol or vinegar based ones won’t shift Rain-x. I did though keep it on the side windows, and, as you suggest, on the shower door too

 

[WitleyPanda]

Thanks for everyone's input!

I'm convinced that Bosch is the "safe" option, since so many use it, but I think I will probably try the Valeo Everguard since I can get them for a similar price.

On a different topic now, I treated the windshield with Rain-X rain repellent, and ever since the wiper skips whenever I use it, unless the windshield is completely "wet" like very heavy rain or using the wiper fluid. I was hoping maybe one of you would have some advice if you ever tried Rain-X.
It seems that one potential fix is to apply Rain-X to the wiper blades themselves, but I have yet to find time for that.

Worst case scenario I just clean the Rain-X off and use the rest of the bottle to treat the shower doors at home

Rain-X needs to be applied to a chemically clean screen you need to strip any car wax , over spill polish, environmental element from the glass. Use laboratory glassware cleaner or similar.

 

[jrkitching]

I was hoping maybe one of you would have some advice if you ever tried Rain-X.

Remove it from the windscreen (claying the screen should get rid of it if nothing else will) and chuck the rest of the bottle in the bin.

Cleaning both the screen and the wiper blades with Autoglym CGP works for me.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

Remove it from the windscreen (claying the screen should get rid of it if nothing else will) and chuck the rest of the bottle in the bin.

Cleaning both the screen and the wiper blades with Autoglym CGP works for me.

That’s what I used

Rain-x has no place on a windscreen.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I've just spent half an hour or so cleaning all the Scala windows with Turtle Wax Clearview Glass Clean spray. I've had the 500ml spray bottle for longer than I can remember, at least a couple of years and that's because I find it works best with just a very light application of the spray followed up by a vigorous rubbing with a clean cloth and a burnishing with another clean cloth. All looking lovely now.

Reading the container it says it contains; Benzisothiazolinone, Zinc Pirithione and Methylisothiazolinone. No idea what they are but sounds like it should strip antifouling from the bottom of ships without breaking sweat?

Edit. Wiper blades are the originals, now approx 2.5 years old so will be needing renewed soon. However still looking very good with no signs of tearing of the rubber and the blade still looks nice and "sharp" - they clear the screen well. They're the new type with the flexi backs and I'm about to remove them and give them a good clean to remove all grit and mold from the neuks and crannies. He first MOT is in October, so I'll most likely be buying new blades then unless I notice a deterioration in condition/performance before then. I've thought about rain-X a few times - looks like I've "dodged the bullet" by never getting it?