I`ve found that cleaning wiper blades with Megs Pro-Detailer D101 APC diluted 3:1 and then treated with Aerospace 303 Protectant works for me. I use a single sheet of Scott`s Blue Shop Paper Toweling for cleaning, as the black residue from wiping the oxidized rubber silicone blade is nasty stuff to clean out of microfiber, where the paper toweling is just disposable.
I use Aerospace 303 Protectant because in a factory wiper replacement kit from Nissan or Toyota (don`t remember), small wipe tissues of this protectant were included with the wipers and the instructions stated to wipe the blades with them, so I have been using that ever since. And yes, I use that same single sheet of Scott Blue Shop Toweling for the application of 303 as well
I also assume that those of you who use glass cleaners ONLY for cleaning wiper blades are using an alcohol-based glass cleaner and NOT some ammonia-based household glass cleaner like Windex or their generic equivalents. I do know that cleaning wiper blades to remove the old oxidized rubber and expose new rubber does help in wiping rain water and reduce the streaking and chatter. I have found that in a light rain, I will use the windshield wash to reduce the wiper chatter if that happens.
Then there is the question of using a window glass treatment on the windshield, like Rain-X or Aqua-Pel. I used Rain-X for years and it really did repel the rain water where I did not need to use wipers, even in some very heavy rain as long as you were travelling at 40 MPH or better to blow off the droplets that formed. What stopped me from using Rain-X is that at night, the "film" from the glass protectant obscured my vision. This is especially true at night in the city with mercury/halide streetlights with a light rain or mist. The wipers just "smeared" the water and left a thin film and the "diffused" artificial lighting from said streetlamps impacted my vision and made driving difficult. I assume that the Glassperancy coating the Original Poster (OP) has used or any of the other glass coatings now available are a WHOLE different glass treatment experience that has supplanted and replaced wipe-ons like Rain-X.
What REALLY has helped with wipers in the rain is the wiper model type and manufacturer. I used Bosch ICONs. Yes, they are VERY expensive compared to "traditional" wipers , but the silicone rubber formulation provides superior wiping and cleaning action and they last longer in my opinion.
Another factor that I think helps wiper life longevity is NOT to use the wipers as a scraper to remove ice or frost when one gets into your vehicle upon initial startup. I ALWAYS clean my windshield with a scraper or squeegee of snow, ice, or frost. That includes the ice at the base of the wiper that forms from the hot defroster when it snows and you go into work or go shopping. The snow melts from the hot glass and then refreezes in a short time around the wiper blade while you are away. Ice is sharp and abrasive and causes those small tears in the blade that leads to streaking or lines when used like a scraper during initial vehicle startup.
There is also the debate about putting the wiper arms up and off the windshield glass for this purpose. I do. It looks "stupid", BUT it prevents tearing the wiper rubber blade from the frozen ice when lifting it off the windshield glass if it were left down and makes scraping the windshield SO much easier. Personal preference, though.
