Windshield wiper blades are a consumable item. Moreover, tests carried out by “Behind the Wheel” showed that there is no noticeable difference in the performance of different wipers, although prices can vary twenty times. A set of normally working brushes can be purchased for several hundred rubles. However, there are more than enough people who want to save on their safety - forums are filled with life hacks on how to restore worn windshield wiper blades.
Sharpen?
We tested the use of various devices for sharpening the working edge of wipers here. The tools were different, but the result was the same: there was no improvement in performance. However, the idea turned out to be tenacious: many authors propose to carry out a similar operation using improvised means. Fine-grained sandpaper is glued onto a piece of wood and moved back and forth along the edge with a little force. So, in their opinion, it is possible to restore the rectangular shape of the edge and thereby return the cleaning properties of the wiper tape to the wiper tape.
How to restore old wipers on a car
In various ways, wipers can be restored if they have lost their elasticity or other physical characteristics. At the same time, you can extend their service life and avoid spending money in auto stores.
So, let's look at a few basic ways to restore car wipers at home:
- White Spirit. This is one of the most common solvents, created on a gasoline basis. It will help remove dirt and various deposits on the working surface of glass cleaners. In addition, this liquid also has lubricating properties, which will make it easier to slide over the glass surface later.
- Petrol. Car wiper blades can be placed in gasoline for a few minutes. During this time, contaminants are removed, elasticity increases and the material softens.
- Glycerol. Also a good helper in situations where the wiper does not fit well. The main effect is achieved by softening the surface of the rubber bands, as well as by lubricating them to improve gliding. First you need to clean and rinse their surface, let it dry and apply a small amount of glycerin.
- Hot water is the simplest and most affordable option when the wiper cleaning element is dirty. It is enough to soak them for half an hour to not only remove dirt, but also soften the rubber. It is worth noting that this method will not bring long-term effect.
- Using mechanical force. If you carry out the procedure carefully, you can align the brushes and give them their lost shape. As a last resort, drivers use fine sandpaper.
Soften?
It is suggested to restore the elasticity of a stiffened tape that makes squeaks using glycerin: buy it at the pharmacy, lubricate the elastic bands, give it time to absorb, then wipe dry. But it is not possible to restore the rubber to its former softness. Moreover, glycerin is very quickly washed off by rain and washer.
Verdict: no good.
Special devices for sharpening wipers
Operating principle of the windshield wiper trimmer:
During daily use, wipers are required to cope with any weather conditions, friction on the glass surface, dust and insect residues. After some time, the thin edges of the wiper rubber bands wear out, resulting in streaks and streaks appearing on the glass. Therefore, you have to change your windshield wipers every six months, depending on how often you use the car.
An ECOCUT pro cutter removes the poor-quality part of the wiper rubber and returns it to its original shape. The cost of the device is about 1000 rubles.
Advantages:
- safe and environmentally friendly technology;
- can be stored in the car and does not take up much space;
- low cost and alternative to purchasing new wipers;
- Can be used for all types of brushes;
- quick and easy application directly on the vehicle;
- the ability to carry out the restoration procedure without removing them from the car;
- eliminates stains on the glass surface and unpleasant squeaks;
- increases the safety of driving a vehicle, as the visibility of the glass increases.
With this cutter, the service life of old wipers is doubled. The restoration procedure can be carried out 2 times, each time cutting off the edge of the damaged rubber. After cutting off the used rubber layer, the new layer begins to rub like new. If we take into account the cost of new windshield wipers, this device will save the car owner money.
The approximate service life of the ECOCUT pro cutter is 10-11 cuts.
You will find an option for restoring wipers in this video:
Glycerol
A glycerin solution will help restore hardened rubber. Before the procedure, the wipers are removed and cleaned using one of the methods listed above. Next you need to proceed as follows:
- Dry the rubber bands.
- Lubricate them with glycerin and set aside so that the product is absorbed.
- Repeat the procedure several times to obtain a more pronounced effect.
- Wipe the rubber dry and remove any remaining glycerin.
During this treatment, the rubber becomes softer and more elastic, and the performance of the wipers increases. If the material is already cracked or torn, there is no point in using this method. In this case, only replacing the wipers will help.
Glycerin solution is sold at any pharmacy
Rubber bands for wiper blades
Windshield wiper blades, like engine oil, filters and other auto parts, are consumables and do not have a specific service life. The wear rate of wipers depends not only on the frequency of use, but also on the quality of the blades themselves.
As a rule, the service life of wipers is from six months to 2 years. Although low-quality purifiers can fail after a couple of months, or even weeks.
And, since the cost of new wipers is sometimes significant, some car owners, especially those of the old school, wisely decide to replace not the entire wiper, but only the rubber band itself.
In this article we’ll just talk about rubber bands for windshield wiper blades and consider:
Types of rubber bands
Depending on the material from which the elastic bands are made, they can be divided into several types:
- made of rubber compound based on rubber
- silicone
- with graphite coating
- Teflon coated
Today, the most popular windshield wipers are those whose rubber bands are made from a rubber compound based on rubber . You can find many positive reviews on silicone rubber bands , but wipers with this type of rubber band are practically not found on the market. Graphite coating on the rubber band prevents squeaks during operation, and such rubber bands are resistant to temperature changes. Teflon- coated can be identified by the presence of yellow stripes on their surface.
Difference between rubber bands according to blade profile
Elastic bands are divided into two types, depending on the profile of the blade:
- Bosch profile
- profile “Herringbone”
- groove for elastic plate
- groove for frame clamps
- neck
- working edge
Rubber bands with the Bosch profile can be used all year round, while with the Herringbone profile it is better to use them only in summer (in winter, water freezes between the grooves, which affects the quality of cleaning).
A separate type includes rubber bands for winter windshield wiper blades. They have a thickened profile without grooves or recesses to prevent water from accumulating. The elastic material is softer so as not to freeze in the cold.
Elastic length
Most elastic bands have standard lengths: 500mm, 600mm and 700mm.
If you are using a non-standard length windshield wiper, then to replace it you will need to purchase a longer rubber band and then cut it to size. Sometimes the kit comes with a special blade for cutting.
Availability of metal guides
There are two types of rubber bands, with and without metal guides. Rubber bands with metal guides are suitable for frame and hybrid brushes . In this case, it is possible to replace not only the elastic band itself, but also the metal plate, which becomes unusable over time.
Rubber bands without metal guides are used in frameless wipers . There are no guides needed, since there is a pressure plate in the wiper itself.
Replacing the windshield wiper rubber
The replacement process, depending on the type of brush and different manufacturers, may differ, but the general algorithm of actions is always approximately the same. You can also find many videos on the Internet on replacing rubber bands for specific brush models.
- remove wipers from car
- remove the plastic frame and plugs on the sides of the brush, if any (typical for frameless wipers)
- use a knife to pry up the elastic band and pull it out
- install the new rubber in reverse order
How to extend the life of rubber bands
Due to unfavorable weather conditions and chemical influences, the wiper rubber becomes unusable over time and ceases to cope with its functions. Below we will look at some simple tips that will help extend their life.
- do not use the wipers “dry” Turn on the wipers only with washer fluid (anti-freeze or water), since running the brush “dry” causes strong friction and thinning of the rubber band
- Clean the windshield from heavy dirt Dirt, midges, bitumen, etc. stuck to the windshield lead to the appearance of burrs and tears in the rubber band. You can often remove dirt with plain water and a cloth; if the dirt is significant, you can use a degreaser .
- glass with chips and cracks also gradually renders the rubber unusable
- In hot and dry weather, periodically turn on the wipers along with the washer to wet the rubber. Prolonged downtime, especially at low humidity, leads to drying out of the gum.
- do not try to clear the ice on the glass by operating the wipers , as this will lead to significant wear and tear. For this purpose, there are all kinds of brushes and scrapers that are sold in car dealerships.
In winter, during periods of severe frost, it is better to remove or bend the wipers while the car is not moving, since the rubber band freezes to the glass, which has a bad effect on further work (does not apply to cars with heated wiper zones).
How to restore windshield wiper blades
If the wipers begin to clean the glass poorly, leaving streaks or streaks, there is a way to restore the wiper blade rubber.
- To begin with, we examine the rubber band for mechanical damage and the degree of wear so that there are no obvious defects. If they are present, restoration will not help; it is easier to buy a new rubber band.
- The rubber must be thoroughly degreased and accumulated dirt must be removed . To do this, wipe the gum with a rag with white spirit or other special liquid applied to it. In case of heavy contamination, this step must be repeated several times until the dirt is completely removed from the surface.
- Apply silicone lubricant (available at all auto stores) to the surface of the rubber. It is best to take silicone grease with the lowest fat content (PMS-100 grease, sold in radio parts, is ideal). Apply to the surface with a cloth, but not very generously. Silicone grease will give the elastic band flexibility and elasticity.
- Leave the gum for several hours , the thicker the gum, the more time is needed, but not less than 2 hours.
- After this, using white spirit and a cloth, carefully remove excess silicone . This must be done very carefully. If this is not done, the wiper will glide perfectly, but will not wipe anything.
- If frame or hybrid wipers are used, the moving joints in the metal frame should be treated with WD-40 lubricant (there are no joints in frameless wipers). This will restore mobility and elasticity to the frame and improve the pressure of the wiper.
It is worth noting that all restoration processes should be carried out if the rubber band and the wiper frame are without obvious defects. Otherwise, it will not give a noticeable result.
We put it on the car, eliminate squeaks and rattles
We pull the spring back using the same method (via a wire) and go to install it on the car. The pressing has become much better, really! We spray and turn on the wipers, the GLASS is CLEAN, victory.
And finally, I would like to say why the wipers squeak, the actual reason here is banal:
- Parallel arrangement . The brush must be strictly parallel to the glass; if it is tilted either in one direction or the other (that is, an acute angle is created), it will creak or rattle, even a new one. She's just experiencing a lot of resistance. If this is the case for you, you need to take pliers and make it parallel to the glass, simply bend it. Then the squeaks will go away by 80%.
- Poor pressure . If the brush does not press well against the glass, as I wrote above, the spring has weakened, then rattling (creaks) is also possible. Just change it to a new one and everything will be fine.
That's it, guys, for budget money you can restore your wipers, and they will clean well and softly! Now we are watching the video version of the article.
I’ll end here, I think it was useful, read our blog, subscribe to the YOUTUBE channel, there will be a lot more useful things. Sincerely yours, AUTOBLOGGER.
( 4 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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WD-40
Another multifunctional product that will help clean and soften rubber is WD-40. To restore the wipers, spray a small amount of liquid on them and leave for a while (the solution must be absorbed). The procedure is repeated several times. The advantage of the method is its high efficiency and the absence of the need to remove the brushes from the car.
The product was originally developed for industrial users as a water-repellent agent that prevents corrosion.
The working principle of the wiper blade
The wiper blade removes water from the surface of the car windshield thanks to the special shape of the working area of the rubber band. The photograph shows the position of the tape when the wiper blade moves from left to right, in the direction of the blue arrow.
As you can see, the working surface of the rubber band is slightly bent so that its right angle is perpendicular to the plane of the glass. Thus, the wide part of the tape removes a thick layer of water. The remaining thin film of water, pressing it to the glass, is removed by the right angle of the tape.
When changing the direction of movement of the brush, the working part of the rubber band of the wiper blade is shifted and already pushes a thin layer of water through another right corner of the band. Thus, the wiper blade cleans the car's windshield during forward and reverse strokes. The remaining water residues after passing the brush in the form of a micron film due to scratches on the glass and the ingress of small mechanical particles quickly evaporate and the glass becomes transparent.
If, when the wiper is operating, the working part of the tape or part of it takes a position relative to the surface of the glass being cleaned that differs from that shown in the photographs, then the car glass will remain opaque or streaks of water will remain.
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How to choose a spring
There are quite a lot of such springs, some owners even buy leashes from VAZ, for example KALINA, PRIORA and others, remove them from them and install them on their holder. BUT! The price will be about 300 - 400 rubles, this is not our method, so we are simply looking for the spring itself.
Usually this comes from the hood, trunk holders, and also from the VAZ brake pads. Personally, I first took the “classic” pads, but it turned out to be too short, I didn’t have enough strength to tighten it. Then I bought a front-wheel drive one (VAZ-2108) and everything worked out, it was a couple of turns shorter and gave it really good rigidity. The cost is only 40 rubles.
The PRESS feeling has become much better.
Methods that are better not to trust
There are products that claim to be effective, but they must be used with caution. These include:
- Petrol. Only “dead” brushes that you don’t mind can be soaked in gasoline. The solution removes not only grease, but also graphite coating, which is responsible for the absence of squeaking and good sliding on the glass. The effect does not last long, but the condition of the wipers may become even worse than before the procedure. Those who dare to resort to this method need to remember that after soaking in gasoline, the brushes are washed with warm soapy water.
- Silicone. To soften the rubber, you can use glycerin, but not silicone. The latter greatly increases sliding, which is why the wipers stop cleaning the glass and leave unsightly stains.
- Tobacco. Car enthusiasts go to any lengths to extend the life of old windshield wipers. In particular, they advise wiping brushes with a rag soaked in white spirit and sprinkled with cigarette tobacco. The effectiveness of this method has not been proven, so it is better to test it on old wipers that you don’t mind throwing away.
If even after cleaning the brushes do not cope with their task, they should be replaced with new ones. Road safety comes first.
- Author: lisavdushe
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What to do if the brush does not fit well?
Sometimes it happens that the wiper does not touch the glass. Therefore, in essence, it does not clean the glass of dirt, which means it does not fulfill its direct function. The reason for this is the weakening of the bracket that holds the wiper spring . It is located right on the bend of the leash. This kind of malfunction can be eliminated by tightening the bracket. And to do this, it needs to be dismantled, after which it can be tightened.
This technique is quite effective, but requires some caution and dexterity. For many who decide to fix this problem on their own, the spring may pop out when removed and will still need to be looked for. And installing the element in place is also not very convenient.
Why are they poorly cleaned?
Actually, what problem do I have - my car is already 4 years old, I recently changed the wipers, but after a few months, they began to clean poorly again. They stopped pressing against the windshield normally. I consulted in one store where they sell windshield wipers, the salesman came out, looked and said - the “leashes” need to be changed.
For those who don't know, the "leash" is the windshield wiper holder itself, a metal thing that attaches to the motor (which turns them).
The “lead” has an “eye” that is attached to the motor rod, it is connected to the main part through an axis, but a spring is responsible for pressing (from the ear to the main part), it is this that strongly presses the wiper to the glass, if it weakens, then Windshield wipers don't clean well, EVEN if you bought new blades.
Summary
Wiper blades will last much longer if they are used correctly during operation. They also need care, just like the car as a whole. But a malfunction of the windshield wipers is not a death sentence. Available restoration procedures will help extend the service life. The wiper manufacturer also influences the service life. It is necessary to purchase only proven and well-known brands and do not forget to take care of them in the future.
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How to treat wipers so they don't freeze in winter
The windshield should always be clean.
This is especially true in winter, when daylight hours are short. In addition, it often snows, and during the thaw period slush flies. To ensure safety, it is necessary that the windshield wipers are always in working order, otherwise they will not be able to clean the glass at the right time. After reading this article, you will learn why wipers freeze in winter and what to do to avoid it. The wipers are cleaned until they are crystal clear.
How to treat the wipers to make this true.
Some tips for extending the life of your wipers
Here are five simple ways to help you get the most out of your windshield wiper blades:
- Raise or remove your windshield wiper blades when it snows. This may seem like an unnecessary step, but you are actually saving yourself the potential headache and additional expense of replacing your windshield wipers. The thing is that repeated thawing and freezing can damage the structural integrity of the rubber. Turning on wipers frozen to the windshield also poses a potential danger.
- Do not clear ice from your windshield using your windshield wipers. This will certainly lead to damage to the rubber by the sharp edges of the ice crust.
- Wipe and clean windshield wiper blades. Along with water, dirt, sand, and small debris get onto the windshield. It can get stuck in the grooves of the rubber, gradually destroying it.
- Park your car in the shade. Ultraviolet radiation destroys the rubber structure of the wiper blades, making it hard and brittle. To avoid the negative effects of sunlight, you should park your car in the shade whenever possible.
- Do not use windshield wipers “dry”. Wipers are designed to clean only wet surfaces. In dry weather, their use is only possible in combination with the windshield washer.
