Wiper drag UK

[Clive]

I'm getting a bad wipe...dragging and leaving
a water film which is not good at night.
Blades are virtually new and spring tensions seem OK.
Happens even while stationary.
I've cleaned the screen and blades with detergent, alcohol
and vinegar but still have the problem which started for no good
reason I'm aware of.
Any suggestions on how to cure this gratefully received!

--
Clive Norris
WRX
Selectron (UK) Ltd
Musical Equipment Distribution
www.espguitars.co.uk
www.espshop.co.uk
www.emgpickups.co.uk
www.emginc.com
www.whirlwindusa.com
www.deanmarkley.com
www.mightymite.com
www.tube-shop.com
"The more corrupt the State,
the more numerous the laws".
Tacitus

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

I'm getting a bad wipe...dragging and leaving
a water film which is not good at night.
Blades are virtually new and spring tensions seem OK.
Happens even while stationary.
I've cleaned the screen and blades with detergent, alcohol
and vinegar but still have the problem which started for no good
reason I'm aware of.
Any suggestions on how to cure this gratefully received!

Are the arm pivots free? I've seen this problem when the pivots are
corroded, so the spring tension can't easily pull the arm into contact
against the windshield.

 

[Orienteer]

I'm getting a bad wipe...dragging and leaving
a water film which is not good at night.
Blades are virtually new and spring tensions seem OK.
Happens even while stationary.
I've cleaned the screen and blades with detergent, alcohol
and vinegar but still have the problem which started for no good
reason I'm aware of.
Any suggestions on how to cure this gratefully received!

I use a household abrasive pad (non-metallic!) such as a bath cleaner, with
one drop of washing up liquid in a couple of litres of warm water, to remove
the traffic film, followed by automotive glass cleaner spray, inside and
out. (The plasticiser in interior trim 'evaporates' and forms a film on the
glass interior).

 

[Clive]

Hi Larry
No corrosion...this a 3 year old car.
I'm stumped.

--
Clive Norris
Selectron (UK) Ltd
Musical Equipment Distribution
www.espguitars.co.uk
www.espshop.co.uk
www.emgpickups.co.uk
www.emginc.com
www.whirlwindusa.com
www.deanmarkley.com
www.mightymite.com
www.tube-shop.com
"The more corrupt the State,
the more numerous the laws".
Tacitus

Are the arm pivots free? I've seen this problem when the pivots are
corroded, so the spring tension can't easily pull the arm into contact
against the windshield.

=----

 

[Nobody]

I use a household abrasive pad (non-metallic!) such as a bath cleaner, with
one drop of washing up liquid in a couple of litres of warm water, to remove
the traffic film, followed by automotive glass cleaner spray, inside and
out. (The plasticiser in interior trim 'evaporates' and forms a film on the
glass interior).

I always try wet grass. Cleans film off and lets wipe smooth across screen

 

[Limey Lurker]

Try the very old trick of rubbing the screen with newsprint. If this
fails, PM me your home address and I'll send you a free sample of a
windscreen washer additive that I'm trying to get onto the market.

 

[David Betts]

I'm getting a bad wipe...dragging and leaving
a water film which is not good at night.
Blades are virtually new and spring tensions seem OK.
Happens even while stationary.

How new is 'virtually new'? Subaru parts or after-market? Maybe you
just got a duff one. I've found that modern wiper blades don't last
more than two or three years at best. With cheap after-market blades
it can be even less. I think it is probably being parked in the sun
which kills them, rather than use.

David Betts
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Clive]

Both blades replaced by Subaru at
30k service July so they'd better be genuine.
Both blades are doing it.
It must be something in/on the glass but
all the usual tricks to clean it don't work.
Not a lot of sun around here of late!
-C-

 

[mark jb]

Both blades replaced by Subaru at

30k service July so they'd better be genuine.
Both blades are doing it.
It must be something in/on the glass but
all the usual tricks to clean it don't work.
Not a lot of sun around here of late!

Had the same problem; blade never sat properly so never cleaned properly.
Was installed on a wet day, used immediately, never worked right.

In comparison, I've got two <3month old blades that are rather screwed at
the moment, as we've had zero rain for those months.

-mark

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Both blades replaced by Subaru at
30k service July so they'd better be genuine.
Both blades are doing it.
It must be something in/on the glass but
all the usual tricks to clean it don't work.
Not a lot of sun around here of late!
-C-

You could try wiping the windshield with acetone. Likely available where
they sell paint. NOTE! use EXTREME care to not get it on ANY painted
surface!

Carl

 

[Clive]

You could try wiping the windshield with acetone. Likely available where
they sell paint. NOTE! use EXTREME care to not get it on ANY painted
surface!

Carl

Hi Carl
That was my next move.
The blades and arms, springs etc are all 100%
I'm convinced something...maybe carwash
polish...has permeated the glass.
Meths, white spirit and vinegar hasn't shifted
whatever it is so time for some industrial solvents!
Thanks.
-C-

 

[John Varela]

Meths, white spirit and vinegar hasn't shifted
whatever it is so time for some industrial solvents!

I've heard that Coca-Cola works, but have never tried it myself.

 

[hippo]

I've heard that Coca-Cola works, but have never tried it myself.

..and a good thing too - it just keeps you awake!

Seriously though, if all the other remedies don't work, try taking the
blades off, giving them a scrub with detergent and then fitting them the
other way round (end for end, not side for side). If they still don't work
I'd cut my losses and get another pair but let the dealer know and take the
old ones in . Never know - they might warrant the dodgy part. Antifreeze
and industrial solvents will cause accelerated ageing like this, but
they're not usually airborne are they? Cheers

 

[Will Anderson]

Holts Screenies (used to be called Mixra) always seems to work for me.
Wet screen, spray on, operate wipers and it clears 99% of deposits from
screen and blades.

Worth a try?

Will

 

[Don]

I've heard that Coca-Cola works, but have never tried it myself.

About a hundred years ago when I was young and went to drive-in movies, I
used Coca-Cola to clean the windshield so that I could see the movie. I had
forgotten about it but it worked great and got the windshield squeaky clean.
I don't remember it causing any wiper drag.

Don D.