Windshield Wipers - Recommend or Avoid - - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

The Reverend · 03-16-2011, 10:44 AM

By "Recommend or Avoid" I mean "which brand would you recommend or avoid."

I did a quick search to see if there were any previous threads regarding this but save for numerous posts recommending shampoo, shaving cream etc. to be placed on said wiper blades for a prank, nothing really came up. Although these past threads did get me started on plans for April 1st...

I've been looking to replace my wiper blades but am unsure about quality. Are the high end blades that much better than a $7.99 pair? The last pair I bought - Trico Exact Fit - started off great but 3 months later, are streaky and very noisy. The previous pair to these which came with my truck lasted almost 2 years without any of these issues.

A quick search on Canadian Tire and none of the wiper blades are rated very highly and all, even the high end ones, receive very poor reviews.

So considering it's climate and the amount of snow, salt and ice you have to put up with in Calgary, what wiper blades have you found to work well? I am leaning toward the Rain-X Beam blades but even these have received mixed reviews.

Thanks!

The Reverend

Young-Sneezy · 03-16-2011, 10:50 AM

i bought those 7.99 rain-x wipers from walmart on the weekend... they were super easy to install and seem to be doing quite well.

The best part about getting new windshield wipers is the joy you get wiping your window constantly, and seeing how perfect it is!

Nammer403 · 03-16-2011, 10:52 AM

I boughth the michelin hydroedge wipers at costco for about 20 bucks a pair, they work quite well, dont leave any streaks and are quiet they are similar to the rain-x wipers plus easy to install too

Mazrim · 03-16-2011, 10:58 AM

Rain-X Wipers from Wal-Mart aren't bad, but after this winter the ones I have are having some major issues with streaking/even gripping the windshield in places. They're very quiet though which is nice. The ones I had before were gripping the windshield so hard and made a ton of noise.

FlameOn · 03-16-2011, 10:59 AM

+1 for rain-x. Also the Costco Michelin branded wipers are quite decent too. Best I've used is one of the Bosch lines. Can't remember exactly which one

The Reverend · 03-16-2011, 11:14 AM

I've heard a lot about the Bosch ones as well, but mostly from the American side of things. The Costco Michelin's sound intriguing as I have been focused on the Rain-X blades. From what I have seen, the Bosch are a premium brand but have some favourable reviews.

STeeLy · 03-16-2011, 11:22 AM

The michelin blades from Costco work very well most the time. I have never had a problem with them.

I currently use a set of PIAA wipers. They work wonders. Every time you wipe, it leaves a layer of sillicone on your windshield to smooth it out and the rain would just bead up and fly off. Half the time when it's raining and I'm going at a good speed, I don't even turn on my wipers.

I got those for ~$23 - 24 each.

getbak · 03-16-2011, 11:35 AM

I had a pair of the Reflex blades that Canadian Tire sells and did not like them at all. Some people love them though.

I think the problem with mine may have been that they were too long. The driver's side blade on my vehicle is 21", so the ends are quite far away from the wiper arm and I don't think there was enough pressure to hold it to the glass, so it left big streaks right in my field of vision.

Ironhorse · 03-16-2011, 11:38 AM

You pretty much get what you pay for. $7.99/pair = crappy wiping.

OBCT · 03-16-2011, 11:40 AM

I'm gonna go ahead and heartily recommend windshield wipers. They've come in handy for me a few times.

Seriously now... I've found the Rain-X brand to be very decent. I doubt they last as long as the "better" brands, but seeing as they're 50+% off, the value proposition is certainly intriguing.

The Reverend · 03-16-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STeeLy

The michelin blades from Costco work very well most the time. I have never had a problem with them.

I currently use a set of PIAA wipers. They work wonders. Every time you wipe, it leaves a layer of sillicone on your windshield to smooth it out and the rain would just bead up and fly off. Half the time when it's raining and I'm going at a good speed, I don't even turn on my wipers.

I got those for ~$23 - 24 each.

Did you purchase the PIAA blades in the States?

Northendzone · 03-16-2011, 12:29 PM

i bought some armour-all ones at CT for my car (Taurus) - I did not like them and even the wife commented on how shoddy of job they did. i now buy my blades at Walmart - they are a little cheaper and do a good job.

if you apply some rain*-x to your windows it really works to keep water beading - rubbing alchol also works but not as well.

Ironhorse · 03-16-2011, 12:34 PM

Not many people know this, but clay-barring your windshield will also help quite a bit. There is usually quite a bit of microscopic crap on there after a couple of years, which will interfere with smooth wiping action.

Mazrim · 03-16-2011, 01:09 PM

Forgot to mention: get the Rain-X Latitude blades. Expensive but worth it. They're really good.

Buff · 03-16-2011, 01:10 PM

Got a '94 Tempo that I just use to get to work and back. Had to replace the wipers and I couldn't find a set that fit properly. Wound up buying the el cheapo brand from Canadian Tire, and that was the only ones that fit. Not all that snug, so the wiping isn't ideal, but the blades don't fall off while wiping anymore.

I bought the Armour All silicone blades for my van. They seem to work well.

I seemed to have nothing but wiper blade problems with three of the four vehicles I've owned. I think part of the problem is ice forming on the blades.

The Reverend · 03-16-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Not many people know this, but clay-barring your windshield will also help quite a bit. There is usually quite a bit of microscopic crap on there after a couple of years, which will interfere with smooth wiping action.

I googled this and wow, so many positive comments. I am definitely going to be doing this as well.

arloiginla · 03-16-2011, 01:17 PM

Valeo wipers. The absolute best.

http://www.valeowipersusa.com/

You can find 'em at PartSource.

vanisleflamesfan · 03-16-2011, 01:22 PM

I know someone already mentioned it but I find that if you clay bar your windshield and then apply rain X, it really helps.

The Reverend · 03-16-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arloiginla

Valeo wipers. The absolute best.

http://www.valeowipersusa.com/

You can find 'em at PartSource.

No Partsource in BC unfortunately, I think the closest thing resembling them would be Lordco. Will have to check these out as well, very positive reviews from what I've seen.

arloiginla · 03-16-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reverend

No Partsource in BC unfortunately, I think the closest thing resembling them would be Lordco. Will have to check these out as well, very positive reviews from what I've seen.

They come bent when you buy them in the package (like the surface that touches the windshield is convex) just the perfect amount so that when you use them, they have enough downward pressure on the windshield to give a great wipe, but not too much pressure that it squeaks or anything.

When you first get them, you want to purposely take the car out in the rain just so you can use them.