MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: TheTigerUK on January 19, 2023, 22:57

Title: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: TheTigerUK on January 19, 2023, 22:57
For 10 years I have had what MrT has used at service times on my daily and my 2 had what the garage had when it was serviced, no idea what but they have been ok.

I hate a smeary wind screen especially in the low winter sun and the ones on my daily are about 80% good but not perfect even after cleaning so I will be renewing them tomorrow with these Bosch AeroTwin which seem to have good reviews.

(https://i.imgur.com/pD68W9l.jpg)
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: MikeBoo on January 19, 2023, 23:08
I've been used the Bosch Aerotwin Flat Wiper Blades on all of my cars for years, the work well, last a decent time & I also prefer the look over the traditional design of wiper.
If you shop around and they can be obtained for a reasonable price.
The only issue that I've had is that sometime it can be difficult obtaining a rear wiper for some cars.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Topdownman on January 20, 2023, 08:30
Before you change them, try cleaning the blades with wd40 as this softens the rubber and makes them last longer.

I have the bosch ones on one of my 2s and I keep noticing them as I drive which I dont like, I guess this means they are taller but havent measured!
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: TheTigerUK on January 20, 2023, 08:43
Quote from: Topdownman on January 20, 2023, 08:30Before you change them, try cleaning the blades with wd40 as this softens the rubber and makes them last longer.

I have the bosch ones on one of my 2s and I keep noticing them as I drive which I dont like, I guess this means they are taller but havent measured!

I often clean my blades with neat windscreen cleaner fluid, I thought I read somewhere that cleaning with WD40 was a no no ?
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Joesson on January 20, 2023, 09:09
The only treatment I've ever used is to wash the blades with car shampoo when I wash  the car and always to use an additive in the screen washers, that is based upon many years and miles of experience.
Additives have vastly improved over time, antifreeze wiper fluid is relatively recent for example.
In recent times I have used Prestone all year, winter and summer, although I don't have to go out in freezing conditions any more!
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Topdownman on January 20, 2023, 09:30
Quote from: TheTigerUK on January 20, 2023, 08:43I often clean my blades with neat windscreen cleaner fluid, I thought I read somewhere that cleaning with WD40 was a no no ?

I believe that wd40 is petroleum based which softens rubber so is not generally recommended. With old blades that are going hard, softening the rubber is what you actually want though so that is why there is this tip. I suppose you would only start to do it when the blades are getting hard rather than as part of your usual maintenance.

I do it to mine and havent witnessed a miracle but think it does extend the life.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Petrus on January 20, 2023, 11:34
Quote from: Topdownman on January 20, 2023, 09:30I believe that wd40 is petroleum based

No, it´s fish oil based so no issues with dissolving rubbers.

@TheTigerUK  your 2 must be the only one with a rear wiper.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Topdownman on January 20, 2023, 11:53
Out of curiousity I googled it just now. According to wikipedia, the formula is different around the world;

USA
45–50% low vapor pressure aliphatic hydrocarbon (isoparaffin)
<35% petroleum base oil (non-hazardous heavy paraffins)
<25% aliphatic hydrocarbons (same CAS number as the first item, but flammable)
2–3% carbon dioxide (propellant)

The European formulation[21] is stated according to the REACH regulations:

60–80% hydrocarbons C9-C11 n-alkanes, iso-alkanes, cyclics <2% aromatics
1–5% carbon dioxide
The Australian formulation[22] is stated:

50–60% naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy
<25% petroleum base oils
<10% naphtha (petroleum), hydrodesulfurized heavy (contains: 1,2,4-trimethyl benzene, 1,3,5-trimethyl benzene, xylene, mixed isomers)
2–4% carbon dioxide

Maybe that is why I didnt see as much effect as americans recommending this?
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: TheTigerUK on January 20, 2023, 15:01
Quote from: Petrus on January 20, 2023, 11:34No, it´s fish oil based so no issues with dissolving rubbers.

@TheTigerUK your 2 must be the only one with a rear wiper.

I assume you dident read my initial post ?
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Joesson on January 20, 2023, 15:39
Not mentioned above but the inside of the windscreen, in my experience, does get a coating that is extra to requirements.
I have used a Polyester/Polyamide magic cloth and methylated spirit to clean, also useful on the un wiped area of the front screen.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Ardent on January 20, 2023, 17:09
@TheTigerUK

Bosch aerotwins every time.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: paulj on January 20, 2023, 19:02
Cant beat Mr Bosch for wipers!
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: puma2 on January 21, 2023, 09:44
 :) all my cars if they fit Bosch twin aero
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Petrus on January 21, 2023, 13:08
For what it´s worth, fish oil is mainly C14 to 22 carbohydrates.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: TheTigerUK on January 21, 2023, 16:37
They have only been on two days but i'm impressed, window is smear-less and they are very quiet.

So easy to fit just press a button and slide the old ones off and slide the new ones on.
Title: Re: Whats your wiper blade of choice ?
Post by: Ardent on January 21, 2023, 21:18
Boom! Right there.

Smear free and silent. Welcome to the club.