Technical Windshield wipers

[patches]

I was thinking about how to fix the scratches on my windscreen and that reminded me of a question I've been meaning to ask.

When I pull the stalk back to spray, the wipers don't automatically swipe. I assumed this was just Fiat charm but someone asked me if they were broken as their Peugeot had started to do the same and they had it fixed. Is this normal that you have to spray and then flck the wipers on?

Thanks.

(Thanks doc for the Chipsway link - apparently they can fix the scrapes on the windscreen as well as the lovely dent below the passenger door)

 

[Alan.D]

It's not broken it's just the way they are.

 

[patches]

Thanks- good to know!

 

[docorangepeel]

No prob Patches

I have chips Away coming tomorrow to do a few chips on my B. I will let you know how it turns out and what the cost was.

 

[pilier1]

I wonder if you could change a relay and get the washer and wiper to sync. Wonder if there is such a thing and if so whether maybe the another FIAT or Alfa part would fit..?

A

 

[Alan.D]

To be honest I wouldn't as those systems always start the wiper on a dry screen so any dirt is scratched into the surface on the first part of the wipe before the jets hit. With the current system you can start the jet early before wiping and will in the long term cause less damage.

 

[Dave-M]

Well thats really strange, I came on the forum tonight to ask that very question about the spray and wipe, I did think that I had yet another fault, it takes a bit of getting used to having to flick over for the wipe.

 

[Alan.D]

Not when you have 3 fiats

 

[pilier1]

I'll dig around some more, see if I can find another relay.

FEI, the only windscreen damage I've had from a dry wiper was on a '74 MG Midget, but then it had been run without one of the rubbers. That'll do it I guess. No wash wipe sync on that either.

A

 

[Alan.D]

Me thinks your taking the P

 

[pilier1]

No, seriously, passenger side wiper, an arc across the full sweep, 1/4" wide scored into the glass by the chromed wiper arm. I guess the previous owner had been drivning in rain without a rubber, or had continued to drive without... T'was in the days before windscreen condition became an MOT failure. One of the least serious problems on it though... )

On other cars, though mainly company vehicles - Alfa 156, Rover 623, Merc C230 Komp, VW Bora V5, Audi A6, Alfa 155, Ford Mondeo, Alfa 147 - never had a windscreen issue with wash/wipe.

A

 

[nowalls]

As far as I know this is normal. Given the behaviour of the wipers and spayers on the windshield [prone to scratches], I'm glad it is.
Depending on the speed, this way first I can spray more or less and just then wipe.

 

[DJ Overdose]

So...

Is it possible to get rid of these scratches?

Buff them out somehow.

Does anyone know the best adjustment to the wiper spoiler, to stop it rubbing the screen and causing more scratches?


DJ OD

 

[Flash!]

No, seriously, passenger side wiper, an arc across the full sweep, 1/4" wide scored into the glass by the chromed wiper arm. I guess the previous owner had been drivning in rain without a rubber, or had continued to drive without... T'was in the days before windscreen condition became an MOT failure. One of the least serious problems on it though... )

On other cars, though mainly company vehicles - Alfa 156, Rover 623, Merc C230 Komp, VW Bora V5, Audi A6, Alfa 155, Ford Mondeo, Alfa 147 - never had a windscreen issue with wash/wipe.

A

hehehe... Takes me back! Years ago I used to specialise in spare parts for MGs & it was generally recognised that Midget owners were among the tightest around. One example being the guy that came into the shop asking for a single brake pad as he had three that were in good condition! Maybe your Midget was owned by the same guy?

"Why should I replace the rubber on the passenger side? It's not as though they need to see where they're going!!!!"

PS: Before I get any (ex) Midget owners sending me hate mail, I used to own one myself! Sold it recently to a guy in Holland!

 

[Flash!]

So...

Is it possible to get rid of these scratches?

Buff them out somehow.



DJ OD

It is possible; depending on how badly scratched the screen is. In my day to day life of selling Nissans (for my sins) I use a guy that does nothing but get scratches out of screens & other windscreen repairs. It's amazing what he can make disappear. Anyone that does windscreen repairs should be able to polish out most scratches so get out the Yellow Pages.

 

[DJ Overdose]

Any chance you can find out how he does it? I kinda wanted to do it myself ;-). I can see it happening more until I work out a way of stopping the wiper spoilers from scraping the wind screen.


DJ OD

 

[Flash!]

Any chance you can find out how he does it? I kinda wanted to do it myself ;-). I can see it happening more until I work out a way of stopping the wiper spoilers from scraping the wind screen.


DJ OD

I tried getting the information out of him once, but it's all hush hush - trade secret stuff! Fair enough, if he told me how he did it, why would I call him in whenever I needed a screen doing? However, it seems to be a T-Cut like compound that basically takes off a layer of the glass, which is why you can't do anything with deep scratches.

I'm sure I've seen something similar available to the public though. Might be worth a trip to Halfords or a helpful autofactor!!!