How do I "de-squeak" my windshield wipers?

Question

My windshield wipers are only a few months old, and I live in Sacramento, California, which has rain in the winter. Wipers are only available threough the dealer, at $90.00 per pair. Does anyone have a fix for wipers that work well, yet sometimes chatter on the windshield?

Answer 1

Sadly enough, wiper blades are designed to last only a few months, no matter what they claim. Oh, they can survive for a year or more, but they start squeaking, streaking, chattering, etc. The real killer of wiper blades is not usage, but the sun. Hot, sun shiny days are killers on wiper blades.

One thing you can try is to wipe the blade with rubbing alcohol, put some on a rag and put that on the blade, pinch the blade through the rag, and pull it up and down the blade.

This may not do the trick, but squeak indicates a dirty blade. Even though you hit them with the spray at the car-wash, the oxidization doesn't rinse off.

Be careful of using anything petroleum based on them. Those will deteriorate the rubber much faster than the hot sun does.

Answer 2

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RE:
How do I "de-squeak" my windshield wipers?
My windshield wipers are only a few months old, and I live in Sacramento, California, which has rain in the winter. Wipers are only available threough the dealer, at $90.00 per pair. Does anyone have a fix for wipers that work well, yet sometimes chatter on the windshield?

Answer 3

This has to be a troll, what wipers cost $90???

Wipers for all of our cars cost $10 a pair, $20 for the really good ones.

Get a product called rainx, it's for your windshield, it coats it so water beads off, and makes it slick enough where wipers wont squeel going over it.

Answer 4

What on earth are you driving that the wipers are 90 a pair?

Anyway, when they chatter, the rubber is getting hard. You can wipe them down with soap and water. When they are dry, try applying some amour-all or other lubricant. This may soften them up and stop the squeak. Also check the windshield and make sure it is clean too.

Answer 5

What kind of wipers cost $90.00???? I've never paid over $10.00 for a pair. Don't they have Auto Parts Stores, like Auto Zone, Nationwise, NAPA there in Sacramento? Here in Indy, they're about every 1 mile or so apart and they sell replacement wiper blades. And they also sell a product called: RAINX... works pretty good... you have to remember that a dry, dusty area does as much damage to wipers as wear from friction...

Answer 6

Because of the different climates in Sacramento I would suggest getting a cheap pair of wipers for the hot summer months from May - Sept. Than when it starts to rain continously replace them with the old blades. Also you are not replacing the entire wiper. You just need to replace the blade. Hope this helps and yes Sacramento does destroy wiper blades. Since I have to buy new ones every year.

HAPPY LIVING!

Answer 7

i own a shop and i found out that using rain -x on the wiper blades and wiping it on the glass stops the squeaking for over a month or more,i live in Tennessee and it works well here,i think mine last for about a month or more before i have to put more on them,but it does work,and also helps keep the wiper blades nice and soft also,and they will last longer as long as the don't dry out,but you might want to try it,its a cheaper fix than buying new blades all the time,good luck with it hope this helps.

Answer 8

$ 90.00 per pair??? Do I smell a "RIP OFF"!!! Just go to your local NAPA parts store and bring the blades in, ask the counter person to replace them with equivalent blades and be prepared to spend less than $ 20.00!! Sheeesh! $ 90.00 for wiper blades??? Unbelievable!!

You could also try the old "sandpaper" trick..just rub a fine grit sandpaper (600 is good) along the edge of the blade once or twice in each direction which will remove any oil scum or road crud that may be causing the skip, make sure all the snad is removed by using a little denatured alcohol or planty of water to flush them clean. Wipe them with a rag and voilà..you've just saved $ 90.00!!. But I would rather replace them ($ 90.00!!! God! I don't believe it ....)

Answer 9

try a product called rain-x. apply it on your windshield as the instructions say. it is like a coat of wax would be to the paint. provides a very smooth clean slick surface also its main function is to allow you to use the wipers less often as rain will bead away nicely. i bet that will fix your wiper chattering.

Answer 10

Get some cheaper ones from eBay wipers goes bad fast I change mine every couple months it not raining much in North Carolina but they still goes bad from cold weather and heat and not being used regularly