I seem to have quite poor visibility when driving in heavy rain. I'm off out soon to see if I can get a new set of wiper blades. And maybe some gunk to clean the windscreen and help it repel water.
Looking online, I see people who claim to get sparkling clean windscreens by rubbing them with potatoes, toothpaste or vinegar. Nice and cheap! But are these methods clever - or stupid? It's a fine line, sometimes...
Window cleaner and newspaper works well....
rainx is quite good but only above 30-40 mph. Don't need wipers in rain on motorway and screen seems clearer when its wet.
Just wash it & the windsreen wipers?
Lot of crap build up on both, wipe your windscreen wiper with a kitchen towel & see all the oil that comes off. Unless you windscreen wipers are squealing or damaged, or are clean and still cause issues, I see no reason to replace them.
Ensure interior is clean too
I am anal when it comes to windscreen/car window cleanlyness, dont dare wipe it with your hand.
or go the whole hog and get some rainex on epo
http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/gtechniq/clearvision-screen-kit.aspx
Yes, suppose I should. I hate cleaning the inside of cars.
I recall the last set of wipers I had seemed equally bad, so I'm just going to clean the glass as best I can.
I've got some 12,000 grade polishing cloth somewhere, I'm tempted to use that 😛
Good condition & clean blades
wash windscreen
window cleaner inside & out
that will be more than enough, no need for Rain x etc...
i've read in a classic car mag that Ciff lemon cleaner is good for cleaning the actual blades, although if it's abrasive at all make sure you wash it all off . Ps Never tried it - do so at your own risk!!
I only use locally sourced sausages and vegetables on mine
I only use locally sourced sausages and vegetables on mine
Well, the interwebs have suggested everything else, so it's worth bearing in mind. 😀
clean the blades with neat screen wash - they'll be black with gunk.
Newspaper is good - clean the screen as normal then dry it then polish it with newspaper, there will sometimes be a fine film of dirt that washing doesn't get off and proper elbow greese and dry newspaper will get through it
If its an older / higher milage car then the screen can be past its best too - lots of tiny chips from little stone strikes, road grit etc that water can cling to as the wiper passes. Beyond about 100k I change the screen but I've driven cars with just 30 - 40k where the screen is heavily pitted. It can be tempting to encourage it to crack so you can use your insurance but I've found getting a new screen fitted only typically costs about £10 more than the screen excess with most policies.
As above, get the inside of the screen spotless as well, again you're polishing it, till it squeaks with dry paper, other wise you're just moving the dirt around. At this time of year dirt on the inside of the screen will flare in headlights and low sunlight so it'll be adding to the dazzle you're getting from water on the outside. Once its clean be really precious about it and don't touch it.
I use a treatment called Tribos Glass on customers cars. It's a polymer type application
Similar idea to Rain X etc, (make the glass smoother so nothing sticks)
But Tribos lasts a good 12 months in my experience. I've had it on my work van since Summer 2012 and it's ready for reapplication now. And it's a daily use vehicle.
Don't need wipers much at all. And as long as the wipers are clean, they are very smooth and effective with the treatment.
Window cleaner a good wax based soap when washed then rain x no need to use wipers when over 30mph.
I use a shampoo from Aveda with a conditioner for flyaway hair then a medium control gel just to keep it neat.
What a silly thread.
Vinegar works a treat with newspaper. Clean the blades thoroughly
I've found soda crystals in warm water with a scrubbing brush the best and easiest way to get it properly clean. Then a good rinse down with clean water. Some screen washes can actually leave the screen smeary...
I used toothpaste and then windex, just 'cause I had them handy. Polished with lots of old newspaper. I'm sure you're all desperate to find out the results, but you'll just have to wait until it rains again.
A few of the small sachets of vinegar from the little chef, in the water bottle, wax polish the screen after a good wash with a scouring pad the plastic ones and plenty of soapy water, youll be surprised at the colour of the water off a clean screen,or what you thought was clean.
WD40 also works a treat if you have a disagreement with a motorist, it smears quite well.But cant be recomended as it will most probably make the motorist go ape shit.
Ensure interior is clean tooI am anal when it comes to windscreen/car window cleanlyness, dont dare wipe it with your hand.
Noted: will only lick the window next time.
😉
If you're going down the newspaper route, use the Mail for the extra acidity 😉
Lidl glass cleaner is rather good, for years i used autoglym and at 1/10th the price the lidl stuff is better.
another heads up for newspaper and cleaning blades.
I have always used AutoGlym Fast Glass - but for really bad glass you can buy glass polished - but I've never tried them.
I also converted to the flat 'aero' type wiper blades (Bosch), they seem so much better ime.