so i need some new wipers but i want decent ones not just cheap replacesments. i was wonderin if any of you have any you recommend. soooooooooooo lemme know any feedback appreciated! man i wish i had heated wipers!

the stock focus wipers suck ass... they make so much noise.. i need to clean my window with soft scrub to get all the gunk of it

where i am i always get a film on my window from salt...and then when it rains...it just, i dunno, almost mixes, stock wipers wouldn't work for junk, go to www.newedgeperformance.com and order the piaa's, they r 43 bucks...i hadda pay 32 for my bosch pep boy's pos wipers (the salt eats away at them living on the ocean)...def worth the extra few bucks

PIAA wipers last longer and grip the windshield better than anything else I've used.

yeah i think im gonna get the PIAA ones from tony d. any ideas of what i could put on the blades to keep them from collecting ice?

Is there actually something you can put on the blades to prevent that?

You need to get that rain beading stuff I forget the name of it but it works good as hell

The stock wipers do suck, and they are made by bosch. You can see the bosch logo on them if you look real close. I seem to always have some type of film on my windshield, and the stockers don't touch it. I use "invisable glass" to clean the w/s, it is by far the very best glass cleaner made.

Euro, here in the great white north they sell "Winter Blades" they are heavy duty, and more robust. The whole blade frame is covered in a silica rubber compound, this keeps the snow and ice from building up on the blades. They are butt ugly, but get the job done in the snow and ice.
bfocused

bfocusd that link doesnt work?!?!

Originally posted by fast5
bfocusd that link doesnt work?!?!

Which link? The one for my web-site? Yes, I know I have been trying to figure that out. But, if you like, click the little www icon at the bottom of the post frame.

ohh, that rain beading stuff is called "Rain-X", now that I think about it, Rain-X makes wipers.

Rain-X works amazingly well. I use that stuff all the time and I rarely even need to turn my wipers on and I'm from Oregon where it rains 364 days a year plus 1. Great stuff and really cheap

hmm the piaa ones have that silica coating i think ur talkin about, i might look into those winter wipers im sure they sell them out here... ill get some rain x too that sounds like a good idea. my windows can get a 1/4" layer of ice on them without it ever snowing, and its the hardest ice in the world to scrape off.

First off, no windshield should be driven without a coating of Rain-X. Secondly, go to Wal-Mart and pick up some Rain-X Windshield Washer Fluid/Bug Remover, it's the best $1.84 you'll spend on your car. This formula has washer fluid, Rain-X solution, and Bug Remover - it's fantastic! Thirdly, buy yourself some TriplEdge silicon wipers. They cost the same as rubber ones and WILL last the life of the vehicle. Here's why:

Traditional wiper blades are constructed of rubber made of coal and oil, which is carbon. The structural bonds of carbon are weak and react easily with other chemicals that break these bonds. Carbon in organic rubber blades reacts with the sun's energy and deteriorates over time, causing the wiper to crack and tear. Further exposure to ozone and driving conditions continues the breakdown process of rubber in the environment. Organic rubber is simply not designed to withstand the elements. Organic rubber blades can not endure temperature extremes and lose their functional qualities outside -40°F and 80°F. For these reasons, organic rubber wiper blade manufacturers recommend that their customers replace their blades every 6 months.

Silicone is inorganic and inert. Its base formula begins with the Silica rock. It will not break down even after years of exposure to harsh conditions. Silicone blades retain their functional qualities from -100° F to +400° F while offering superior wipe quality! Motorists can rely on TRIPLEDGEPremium Silicone Blades for reliable windshield clearing even after years of use. You might say TRIPLEDGE is designed by nature. Silicone is made of natural earth materials, and it naturally resists ozone and ultraviolet light, road grime, automotive fluids, solvents, ice and of course, rain!


Silicone Strength
Silicone blades do not stick to frozen windshields. Unlike organic rubber, silicone will not absorb moisture over time causing ice build up in freezing driving conditions.
Silicone blades are extremely durable. Unlike organic rubber wipers, silicone blades do not dry out, or "set" after long exposure to Ozone, Ultraviolet Rays, Ice and Snow, heat and cold.
Silicone blades provide superior wipe quality years after organic rubber wipers have failed.
All Silicone blades by JAMAK Fabrication, Inc. come with a guarantee to last as long as you own you car.
Silicone has superior resistance to fuels, oils, acid rain, washer fluid and road grime.
Silicone is naturally resistant to extreme temperatures. It retains its functional qualities from -100°F to +400°F.
Silicone blades are an environmentally conscious solution because they are inert and will not harm the environment.
Only JAMAK Fabrication, Inc., can offer silicone blades at the same price as current premium blades on the market.

wow! great research!

[:)] Now go get some! This is tried and true in NY, so Long Beach should be no problem.. although I don't know your rain situation there.

I don't know how people can stand in the rain without rain-x I have had it on my cars since it came out. many glass places put it on offering. If you buy an exotic car it comes with a thicker layer of it already installed :)


If your not using it you ARE missing out....btw if your going more then 40mph you shouldn't need your wipers :D and dont worry about driving right behind a semi i usually dont need my wiper then either

Another option for people is SilBlade, fantastic blades, wide assortment of colors. Made from good ol' GE silicone so it's top quality stuff. www.silblade.com

Its funny to actually hear everyone diss the stock wipers, Ive actually been pretty pleased with them, I replaced using the same OE ones, no complaints here

Originally posted by EuroZX3Focus
Its funny to actually hear everyone diss the stock wipers, Ive actually been pretty pleased with them, I replaced using the same OE ones, no complaints here
After experiencing a silicon wiper, the OE wipers are a lot less effective. Junk, if you will.

I dont know Im pretty content sticking with the stock ones, I dont see any reason to buy the big gay snow wipers or anything, although I have heard positive things about the PIAA wipers, I would consider those, but the cost is somewhat detering

bosch wipers will never let you down. there's also a product that they make for race cars. you have to special order it. but basically, it's like a super super super powerful "Rain-X". you can drive in a frickin hurricane, and it'll just bead up and off the window. lasts about 4 months. incredible.

I see no reason for the snow wipers, either. I never kept enough snow on the windshield when driving to use that particular feature [;)]

A buddy of mine has those PIAA wipers on his 98 Cirrus. My $13 TriplEgde's blew his away, IMO.

Are those Bosch wipers silicon? If so, I'm interested. Anything rubber can and will eventually let you down. I'm also interested in this "Super Rain-X" product...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by knightm3
[B]I see no reason for the snow wipers, either. I never kept enough snow on the windshield when driving to use that particular feature [;)][B][QUOTE]

That's not the problem; but when you park your car outside in freezing temperatures + snow, ice will build up on the wipers and they'll stick so hard to the windshield that a hammer won't remove the [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]*g ice!!
talking from experience[;)]

is the super rain x like stuff about the same as what auto glass specialists and the like put on? susposibly lasts 3 months or something... i apply rain x about once every 2 weeks.. says it works a month but after 1.5 - 2 weeks it isn't nearly as effecient as it can be and i love driving in bad weather [:)]

Well, when my blades get ice on them I use this stuff by Prestone (it's in a spray bottle and I forget the name of it.) It works really well.

I need to find something that helps de-ice my wipers too, whats the prestone stuff called?

Driving in a snow storm is the real test of a wiper blade. This part of New York is SNOW city! We get lots of the stuff.
When you are driving in a snow storm the snow has a tendency to build up on the blade in clumps. This is esp true if it is freezing, and ice is added to the mix. The winter blades have a soft rubber jacket on the wiper frame, so there are no holes to fill up with ice and snow. A build up of ice and snow can make the blade lift off the glass and then you get no clearing at all. I use them in the winter and have fewer wiper problems.

This will be my 1st winter with the SVTF. I just put some dunlop winter tires on it. I have the traction control, and I am wondering what that will be like. The heated seats are nice!

Silicon wipers don't freeze because silicon doesn't absorb water. Their operating temperature is -135degF to 400degF. Problem solved.

Originally posted by CyByte
is the super rain x like stuff about the same as what auto glass specialists and the like put on? susposibly lasts 3 months or something... i apply rain x about once every 2 weeks.. says it works a month but after 1.5 - 2 weeks it isn't nearly as effecient as it can be and i love driving in bad weather [:)]

not sure. i just know it's really hard to come by, most likely has to be special ordered. and works wonders.

k-mart (dunno specificly what brand that is) have worked fine with me, ad to replace the stock ones when i got the car used but the k-mart ones work fine in snow for me and our like $7 a peice, i live in michigan and we get a very good share of snow, trust me.

- Scott

Originally posted by EuroZX3Focus
I need to find something that helps de-ice my wipers too, whats the prestone stuff called?

I think it's called Fire & Ice but I don't remember. It comes in a can with a ice scraper on it. And it's yellow.

:) Silicon blades don't protect the metal blade harness from freezing up. :) I think it's funny how he thinks New York is bad for cold and snow. That's a person who's never been to Winnipeg for the cold, or the Maritimes for the snow! Winter blades are the greatest invention ever! Being that I live in BC now I don't have to worry about it anymore, but just as I used to slap on my winter tires when I lived in Winnipeg, on went my winter blades. :) Oh yeah, and rain-x doesn't do crap in the winter when you get that brown/grey road slush caked up on your windshield from driving. :) Even a silicon blade'll wear out with all that grit on the windshield.

Originally posted by EnigmaZV
:) Silicon blades don't protect the metal blade harness from freezing up. :) I think it's funny how he thinks New York is bad for cold and snow. That's a person who's never been to Winnipeg for the cold, or the Maritimes for the snow! Winter blades are the greatest invention ever! Being that I live in BC now I don't have to worry about it anymore, but just as I used to slap on my winter tires when I lived in Winnipeg, on went my winter blades. :) Oh yeah, and rain-x doesn't do crap in the winter when you get that brown/grey road slush caked up on your windshield from driving. :) Even a silicon blade'll wear out with all that grit on the windshield.

I have to agree with that, I've been up to canada for hockey tournaments in the winter and its pretty snowy. Michigan gets it's share too since it's higher than some areas of canada, between the lower michigan and the UP is a huge difference so I can only guess what it's like in some places of canada.

Originally posted by ZX3_Chick
Well, when my blades get ice on them I use this stuff by Prestone (it's in a spray bottle and I forget the name of it.) It works really well.

Check out www.microheat.com

So finaly...which ones are the best ones??

PIAA Winter Wipers?
SilBlades Winter Wipers?
Anco Winter Wipers??

Thanks

Originally posted by EnigmaZV
:) Silicon blades don't protect the metal blade harness from freezing up. :) I think it's funny how he thinks New York is bad for cold and snow. That's a person who's never been to Winnipeg for the cold, or the Maritimes for the snow! Winter blades are the greatest invention ever! Being that I live in BC now I don't have to worry about it anymore, but just as I used to slap on my winter tires when I lived in Winnipeg, on went my winter blades. :) Oh yeah, and rain-x doesn't do crap in the winter when you get that brown/grey road slush caked up on your windshield from driving. :) Even a silicon blade'll wear out with all that grit on the windshield.

1. Everything is relative. For me, NY IS bad for cold and snow.
2. Rain-X does in fact help remove snow off the windshield at speed. Of course, I use a triple coating...
3. Yes, silicon blades will wear, the key is they wear a lot less.

Anco is good I guess, if you want to change your blades out come spring. Silicone is a far superior material for wiper blades. Silblades are PTFE coated silicone blades (thats Teflon for those who don't know). The blade deposits a microfilm of teflon on every pass which then in turn acts very much like Rain-X without the rain-x of course. As far as the blade freezing, I haven't had that problem....ever, I have had my one pair of winter blades float above the windshield because the air would literally lift them right up off the glass because of the closed housing.

Originally posted by RPIJG
I have had my one pair of winter blades float above the windshield because the air would literally lift them right up off the glass because of the closed housing.
That must suck[:(]

I should also clarify, the winter blades were not Silblades they were Bosch winter blades, silblade only makes two types of blades, silblades and ultra silblades. And yes, yes it does suck.

Today I got an email from Silblades General Manager, and he tells me that
they have a new model available....here's a part of his email:

[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]*
The Winter SilBlade is brand new, and we will add it to our new website.
But for now we only mention it on the current website and ask people to call us
to place an order.

For my money I'd get the Winter SilBlade for your winter driving.
The Winter SilBlade has the silicone rubber SilBlade and a heavy duty frame
covered with a silicone rubber boot. The only negative is that it is one UGLY looking
blade compared to SilBlade, but it really is a good product for winter.

For all other conditions, SilBlade or Ultra SilBlade are the best choice.
The difference here is that the SilBlade has a black metal frame and Ultra SilBlade
has colored metal frames. The blades are the same. I personally prefer the black
frame over the other one. The "stainless steel" is paint, not "real" stainless steel.

Both SilBlade and Ultra SilBlade are covered by our 5 year unconditional warranty.
Winter SilBlade carries a one year warranty due to the extreme weather it may face.
[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]*

So I decided to try them... and ordered a set for my car!

Ill you guys updated

I am the one in New York that doesn't know about bad winters. lol We just got 22 inches, and it was 7 degrees last night. We live about 150 miles south of Canada, and we know snow and we know cold.

I was at Wal-Mart last night and bought some winter blades for the car. I wish I had them Saturday during the storm. I had to stop more than once to break the ice off the blades. Once they ice up they are useless. So now with my new snow tires and my winter blades, I'll be ready for the next little storm.
bfocused

Originally posted by hsantos
Today I got an email from Silblades General Manager, and he tells me that
they have a new model available....here's a part of his email:

[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]*
The Winter SilBlade is brand new, and we will add it to our new website.
But for now we only mention it on the current website and ask people to call us
to place an order.

For my money I'd get the Winter SilBlade for your winter driving.
The Winter SilBlade has the silicone rubber SilBlade and a heavy duty frame
covered with a silicone rubber boot. The only negative is that it is one UGLY looking
blade compared to SilBlade, but it really is a good product for winter.

For all other conditions, SilBlade or Ultra SilBlade are the best choice.
The difference here is that the SilBlade has a black metal frame and Ultra SilBlade
has colored metal frames. The blades are the same. I personally prefer the black
frame over the other one. The "stainless steel" is paint, not "real" stainless steel.

Both SilBlade and Ultra SilBlade are covered by our 5 year unconditional warranty.
Winter SilBlade carries a one year warranty due to the extreme weather it may face.
[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]*

So I decided to try them... and ordered a set for my car!

Ill you guys updated

Good to know about the winter set, I'm extremely pleased with my ultra silblades, I may purchase those. Enjoy, I know they are worth it. [:D]