Windshield Wiper Performance

[EriCal]

Something I discovered about windshields and wipers.

Here in SoCal, and probably where you are, we get a film on our windshields that causes the wipers to smear, etc. Nothing removes it and new blades do nothing. I had tried all kinds of window cleaners, ammonia, etc and nothing seems to touch it. I tried acetone which does seem to dissolve the film but really just makes it worse.

By accident I discovered that a razor blade removes the film. You can see a 'powder' appear as you scrape the glass and you can [U]hear[U] the razor blade as it cuts thru the contaminated areas. It goes quiet when the glass has no deposit.

So if your wipers aren't doing the job, try cleaning you windshield with a razor blade. I helped me greatly and it may for you as well.

Eric

[16 S7, FLHR, FLHRC, FLHRC (her's), XK-120 (her's), Tesla (her's), '48 MK IV (her's, too!), RT-10, Small truck)
{Past: 84 Olympic Special, 95.5 S6, 2008 S6, 2015 S5}

[gimpgutter]

I used to do very fine steel wool (0000) and it did the trick. I had the same issue where my wipers would chatter, wouldn't clean well, and made a lot of noise. No amount of washing removed that residue.

[Reecard]

Clay bar your windshield works pretty good as well.

[Audibot]

Learned the razor blade trick from watching Larry @ AmmoNYC. He cleans windshields/windows first with using a glass cleaner and microfiber. Then uses the glass cleaner with the razor blade (which nicks off embedded contaminants that weren't removed). He then clays the windshield (pulling out anything embedded at/below the surface), again using the glass cleaner as the lubricant. A final wipe down and you're good to go or you can coat with another product (e.g., wax, aqua-pel, etc).

FYI I have no idea what "film" you are speaking about. OE wiper blades have been working fine with me. Haven't used anything like Rain-X but am thinking of a coating for the windshield itself.