Wiper chatter from *protected* windshields? Look in here >

S

stilez

New member
I have always struggled with wiper chatter after protecting my windshields. I have used Rain-X, Aquapel, various paste waxes, and various sealants to do so. The best performance I ever got with wipers and rain repelling was from S100 (odd, IMO), but that didn't stand up to the abuse well at all (the wipers wiped away the protection :geez ).





For wipers, I know someone in the business and he told me all about the do's and don'ts with wiper construction and mainly the rubber or blade material used. In the end, the two *best* wipers you can buy are Bosch or OEM. Having tried everything in between (Triton, etc) I saw how crappy the others are. They don't last long and they do a shoddy job of cleaning a uniform sweep of water away (most leave areas missed and rip apart in under a year).





Now, even with my Bosch or OEM wipers, after a while (on protected glass), I get chatter and rubber streaking. Many people have said in the past, "Then you know your windshield protection is working!" BS...I wasn't having it. :furious:





I ventured off to try everything under the sun on my wiper blades. The crucial first step is keeping them clean. Before each application of a new rubber protectant, I used 1500-grit sand paper to gently make a smooth surface then hit them with FK1's Ultimate Cleaner (APC) cut 10:1...I applied it with a rag and let dry. This insured a *clean* surface each time a new product was tested.





To apply the new product, I took an MF applicator and applied the dressing/protectant to it then wiped on a few times for each blade. I let it dry (wipers up) for 10 minutes, then re-applied. Finally, after a final 30-minute drying session (after second application), I took a clean MF to wipe away any residue. I then placed the wipers back on the glass. Now, the products that I've used on my wipers are: 303 Wiper Treatment, 303 Aerospace, Poorboy's Trim Restorer, Poorboy's Bold N Bright, Klasse AIO, Adam's VRT, Turbo Wax Protectant, Armor All, and a couple others.





Weekly cleanings of my windshield included my soap of choice (NXT, PB SS&S, or TOL Bubble Bath) and a bug scrubber (TOL carries them). I scrubbed the windshield free of residue, grime, bugs, etc.... Prior to any new windshield protectant, I used Autoglym's Glass Polish. In the end, I still got chatter!!!





Fed up, I began to start accepting the chatter for good... I spoke to Sal Zaino recently about some trouble I had with Z16 on tires. He went into a long technical explanation about what dressings I have used before on my tires, how they could still be on there even though the appear not to, and how his water-based formula might not bond correctly to them. The one thing he kept mentioned was "Z16 is an EXCELLENT rubber protectant". He told me to try it on my weather stripping and such. I set off to try it.





I had two test vehicles on this run. Both vehicles have older wipers (over 1 year old) and both showed signs of chatter (Aquapel on one windshield, Zaino on the other...rather fresh applications of both). I cleaned the windshield and wipers as per above and applied the Z16 as per above. Both vehicles went their separate ways.





If you live in the NorthEast you know how much precipitation we've gotten in the past couple of weeks. This was the test it seemed. The first vehicle was mine. I drove home from CT to NY for Christmas in about 3-hours of pouring rain. The wipers never were shut off. To my surprise, they never chattered once. The only reminance of anything on the windshield was the ugly "eyelash" of grime. I did the same on the way home but with off/on rain and a bit of salt mixed in their from colder temperatures.



The second vehicle belonged to my girlfriend, Liz. She is a skeptic about everything I use...She loves me detailing her vehicle, but if it doesn't work, I HEAR ABOUT IT :nervous: . Anyways, she did the same driving I did through the pouring rain. Then through some mist, fog, and finally some more rain (course of 2 weeks, not 1 wash in between). I asked her if she noticed anything different. She asked me what I did to her windshield and before I even got to the product (just process explanation), I was shut down. No technical jargon for her :). She was pleased to not have to buy new wipers, have the rain repel (as per sealant) and have zero wiper chatter.





In the end, I think this is a product here to stay for me. Both mine and her vehicles are going on 2 weeks without a wash (rain/snow threatening almost daily). The two sets of wipers are still doing an excellent job of smoooooothly sweeping away any water.





Any questions, feel free.
 
Did you experiment at all with various products on the windshield, or just the blades?



I've always gotten great results with VM on the glass and 303 Wiper Treatment on the blades. As long as the blades and glass are kept clean, the chatter is non-existant. Keep in mind though, I reapply the VM and 303 every two weeks for optimal performance.
 
Paul: First paragraph states that I've used Rain-X, Aquapel, various pastes, and sealants. Does this answer your question?
 
Oops...after all that reading I forgot the first paragraph! :p



None of those have helped the chattering? Have you tried VM on the glass?

Did you have any protectant on the windshield at the time of the wiper blade protectant testing? Or was it just a clean, bare surface?
 
Two things to do to get rid of wiper chatter.



1. Wipe down wiper blades with alcohol to remove any residue.

2. After applying rain-x or what ever window treatment spray a fine mist of water on to the glass and buff with a clean M-F. This removes any residue that is still on the glass.



This has always worked for me so I hope it works for you.
 
The best thing I've found to ensure smooth wiper action is not to mess around with the screen or the blades, simply clean them with your wash solution when you wash your car. I too have tried various rain treatements and polishes on my windscreen and have come to the conclusion that sometimes things are best left alone.



My windscreen and blades only see wash solution and I never have a problem with chatter or streaking. I also change the blades every six months out of principle.



Sean - one more thing - do you get chatter all the time or only when driving at higher speeds? If the latter, you might want to get a stronger spring fitted to your wiper arms as more often that not chatter is caused by the blade lifting off the windscreen rather than the screen itself.



Ben
 
Autoglym also recommed using their glass cleaner on the blades.



It is also worth checking that all the bolts etc are nice and tight as this can also induce chatter
 
Ben & Lowe: This test was down with "all other variables equal". I do a lot of both highway and city driving and the chattering occurred at both. I have tried the AG Glass Polish on the blades too without success.



I like having water repel rather than pool on my windshield, hence, my use of a sealant.





Paul: Exactly my point...VM only lasts 2 weeks. I'd rather not have to do it that often. Plus, I like the overall protection of a sealant better.



Fskof: Tried both. No luck.
 
I just keep a clean windshield, and change the wipers yearly. For the $20 they cost I save the money and time I would have spent trying to keep them clean. :D



I am amazed when I do run a rag on the blades and all that black gunk that comes off. I think a lot of people forget to wipe them off at a minimum.



I use RainX and never have a chattering issue. When my Ram started chattering after 13 months I swapped them fro new ones and it's good as new. Fresh coat of RainX and new blades... mmmmm!!!!
 
I have given up on the idea of a windscreen sealant as they do seem to create chatter or smear the glass when in use. Blades are cheap and I replace them every 6 months. I have found the angle of the blade is important so it might be worth while playing with this.
 
I use Vanilla Moose and maintain every couple of weeks with Quikshine. I also use the regular Moose Wax to clean the wiper blades, works very well. Long Haul's Truck Polish/Wax also seems to work very well.
 
Sean, have you ever used the Z12 glass polish? I find that if I polish the glass, follow that with an application of aquapel, then a mist of distilled water after it cures up, and then 303 gives me the best results (and I do use Bosch MicroEdge Excel blades).



Just another thought to see if the polish makes any more difference in your situation....
 
hadboosttroy said:
this is a great thread, I will have to clean my blades, I've never done it :(
Click to expand...





:eek:



Clean your blades often! They'll work a lot better when they aren't pushing dirt and grime around with them.
 
BenP said:
and have come to the conclusion that sometimes things are best left alone.



My windscreen and blades only see wash solution and I never have a problem with chatter or streaking.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. I can only imagine that the application of a vinyl/rubber dressing onto wiper blades will give more trouble than it's worth. Mine get washed along with the rest of the car and occasionally I'll wipe the blades with some alcohol based cleaner on a cloth, but that's it. I've never had a problem with chatter on any car I've owned, so I guess I'm doing something right. If the wipers fail to perform how they should, then I take that as a sign to buy some new ones.



Sean - have you tried the wipers that have a wind deflector on them? This helps to keeep the blade pushed against the windshield when driving at higher speeds.
 
Thanks for posting this up. I've been struggling with wiper chatter when anything is put on the windshield. Looks like Z16 has another use for me now.
 
Anybody ever use PIAA wiper blades? I had them on my Z06 that was a daily driver for over a year about 15k miles. I liked them alot and used IP to clean the windshield twice a year and apply the enclosed product that came with the PIAA blades.
 
gmblack3a said:
Anybody ever use PIAA wiper blades? I had them on my Z06 that was a daily driver for over a year about 15k miles. I liked them alot and used IP to clean the windshield twice a year and apply the enclosed product that came with the PIAA blades.
Click to expand...

Skipperw recommends these in his post in this thread.



Ben
 
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