These wiper blades SUCK!
#27
09-04-2008, 07:14 AM
Thanks bigshot! I do use Rain-x on my windshield, but the wiperblades I had before just didn't cut it. Water would bead, but when it wasn't raining that hard, it wouldn't run off the windshield very well and the previous wipers left huge streaks on the driver's side that I couldn't see through.
It occurred to me, and I keep forgetting this, that Viola was the demo at the dealership and she'd been in service as a demo since February. I bought her in May, so it seems a bit early to start doing the "once every six months" chores to me. But now that I think of it like that, her wiper blades were probably due for a swap out.
Regarding the rain-x and build up, is it safe to use Vinegar and water on auto glass? I use it to clean most of my household glass, but I use rain-x glass cleaner on the cars. I wonder if vinegar would cut through the build up and make it a non-issue.
Clarification: I use the rain-x glass wax every once in a while, but I use the bottled, spray on glass cleaner to clean the glass of dust and grossness in between car washings.
It occurred to me, and I keep forgetting this, that Viola was the demo at the dealership and she'd been in service as a demo since February. I bought her in May, so it seems a bit early to start doing the "once every six months" chores to me. But now that I think of it like that, her wiper blades were probably due for a swap out.
Regarding the rain-x and build up, is it safe to use Vinegar and water on auto glass? I use it to clean most of my household glass, but I use rain-x glass cleaner on the cars. I wonder if vinegar would cut through the build up and make it a non-issue.
Clarification: I use the rain-x glass wax every once in a while, but I use the bottled, spray on glass cleaner to clean the glass of dust and grossness in between car washings.
The streaking was probably from 2 things..........Too much Rain-X and old dryed out blades. Best thing to do is to take some water/vinegar and clean the windows and then apply a light coat of Rain-X. Most folks apply way to much Rain-X, or other product, thinking more is better. I usually get at least 8-10 months of use out of an application of Rain-X with the Silblades.
I would just use a water/vinegar mix to clean the windows as it out performs all of the store bought cleaners I have tried.
#28
09-04-2008, 07:16 AM
#29
09-09-2008, 05:57 PM
6th Gear
I know I'm in the minority here, but I've had no issues with my Clubman wipers after six months of ownership. They work great and don't streak. As for MINI not having replacement inserts, they sure look just like the inserts I always used on my BMW wagon, and they come in one size for about $5, and you just cut them to fit and slide them on. Don't know if they'll fit the Clubman wiper arms, but it's worth a try when it comes time to replace them if the dealer doesn't.
#30
09-09-2008, 07:29 PM
#31
09-10-2008, 01:33 AM
6th Gear
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My SA at least had no problems replacing my wiper blades the last time I was in at the dealer. I watched him do it himself (I was a bad person and forgot that I even wanted to get the blades replaced until after I got the car back and was about to drive off.) and he just replaced the rubber inserts, not the entire blade assembly.
The inserts are a generic size that fit the BMW X3 and the MINI; you just snap off any excess and then insert them into the blade assembly.
Sure there may be better blades out there, but for the time being it's hard to argue with free.
The inserts are a generic size that fit the BMW X3 and the MINI; you just snap off any excess and then insert them into the blade assembly.
Sure there may be better blades out there, but for the time being it's hard to argue with free.
#32
09-10-2008, 08:12 AM
The streaking was probably from 2 things..........Too much Rain-X and old dryed out blades. Best thing to do is to take some water/vinegar and clean the windows and then apply a light coat of Rain-X. Most folks apply way to much Rain-X, or other product, thinking more is better. I usually get at least 8-10 months of use out of an application of Rain-X with the Silblades.
I would just use a water/vinegar mix to clean the windows as it out performs all of the store bought cleaners I have tried.
I would just use a water/vinegar mix to clean the windows as it out performs all of the store bought cleaners I have tried.
I suspect the real culprit was dried out blades, as I am now getting a streak free wipe. I think that perhaps no one ever bothered to wipe down the wiper blades with anything at the dealership to keep them in good shape.
#33
09-10-2008, 06:16 PM
6th Gear
My SA at least had no problems replacing my wiper blades the last time I was in at the dealer. I watched him do it himself (I was a bad person and forgot that I even wanted to get the blades replaced until after I got the car back and was about to drive off.) and he just replaced the rubber inserts, not the entire blade assembly.
The inserts are a generic size that fit the BMW X3 and the MINI; you just snap off any excess and then insert them into the blade assembly.
Sure there may be better blades out there, but for the time being it's hard to argue with free.
The inserts are a generic size that fit the BMW X3 and the MINI; you just snap off any excess and then insert them into the blade assembly.
Sure there may be better blades out there, but for the time being it's hard to argue with free.
#34
09-10-2008, 06:31 PM
#35
09-10-2008, 06:37 PM
Possibly off topic:
I got my SilBlades today and noticed that the driver's side wiper has a thing attached to it. My dad said it acts as a wing to keep the wiper putting pressure on the windshield when driving fast. My SilBlade doesn't have this and it doesn't seem removable.
I got my SilBlades today and noticed that the driver's side wiper has a thing attached to it. My dad said it acts as a wing to keep the wiper putting pressure on the windshield when driving fast. My SilBlade doesn't have this and it doesn't seem removable.
#36
09-23-2008, 11:16 PM
Yup. I have a 19" on the passenger side, 18" on the driver's. The problem is the curvature of the windshield, not the length of the blade. The flat blade design blades doesn't curve near the edge as well as traditional wiper blade holder/assembly with the hinge points. In fact a shorter blade might work better.
The 18" driver blade works perfect; I really like it. I wonder if the 18" blade would work better on the passenger side? I'm down to give it a try...
I wrote a complaint email to Valeo but got not response so I just sent another right now.
#37
09-24-2008, 08:31 AM
I know exactly what you are talking about. The outside edge of the Valeo Ultimate 19" passenger blade has a gap up to 1" off the windshield. When it wipes, it misses a small portion of the bottom right wiping area. You can see it in the video earlier in this thread.
The 18" driver blade works perfect; I really like it. I wonder if the 18" blade would work better on the passenger side? I'm down to give it a try...
I wrote a complaint email to Valeo but got not response so I just sent another right now.
The 18" driver blade works perfect; I really like it. I wonder if the 18" blade would work better on the passenger side? I'm down to give it a try...
I wrote a complaint email to Valeo but got not response so I just sent another right now.
#38
09-24-2008, 10:20 AM
4th Gear
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Richmond, VA
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#39
09-24-2008, 05:04 PM
#40
09-25-2008, 10:23 AM
I have not noticed this problem. I'll see if I can get my passenger to take a vid of the wiper blades the next time it rains so you can see how the Rain X blades work.
#41
09-26-2008, 07:31 AM
#42
04-27-2009, 08:24 PM
sorry to bring this back from the dead, but amazon's gold box deal of the day is the velco 900 series buy 1 one get 1 free. i want to get a set for my wife's 08 mini but according to amazon and velco, they don't have them for the mini
http://www.valeowipersusa.com/index....-%20Cooper%20S
do you know if i get the 19" and 18", will they fit?
http://www.valeowipersusa.com/index....-%20Cooper%20S
do you know if i get the 19" and 18", will they fit?
#43
04-28-2009, 06:32 AM
sorry to bring this back from the dead, but amazon's gold box deal of the day is the velco 900 series buy 1 one get 1 free. i want to get a set for my wife's 08 mini but according to amazon and velco, they don't have them for the mini
http://www.valeowipersusa.com/index....-%20Cooper%20S
do you know if i get the 19" and 18", will they fit?
http://www.valeowipersusa.com/index....-%20Cooper%20S
do you know if i get the 19" and 18", will they fit?
#45
05-10-2009, 04:28 PM
The only Rx to the wiper probllem that has actually worked for me is to make a dilute solution with Bon Ami and lightly clean the windshield with it. I'm careful to minimize the runoff/excess just because of its abrasive nature. I read about it here on another thread and it does work. 3-4x across the driving season.
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