Topic: Wipers

[Jeffy]

Anyone use bracketless wipers like the Rainx or Bosch?  The smallest ones are 16" but you can modify them to shorter sizes.  My 12" wipers are getting harder to find.

[neale_rs]

Anyone use bracketless wipers like the Rainx or Bosch?  The smallest ones are 16" but you can modify them to shorter sizes.  My 12" wipers are getting harder to find.

I use them on a car.  They work very well.  How would you modify them for a YJ, just cut to size?

[Jeffy]

I use them on a car.  They work very well.  How would you modify them for a YJ, just cut to size?

You remove the end caps then cut the blade and the support bracket.  Then put the end cap back on.

[sharpxmen]

i think i used +1'' blade with no other mod than bending the arm a bit to bring it closer to the center of rotation (so it won't go above the top of the windshield).

[neale_rs]

You remove the end caps then cut the blade and the support bracket.  Then put the end cap back on.

Thanks for this tip.  I might try it next time although the 12" regular ones are not hard to find down here at Autozone (Duralast IIRC, but not all that great actually).

[Jeffy]

Thanks for this tip.  I might try it next time although the 12" regular ones are not hard to find down here at Autozone (Duralast IIRC, but not all that great actually).

The problem isn't finding 12" blades but finding good ones.  The regular 12" blades haven't changed from OEM.  The technology has though.

[Tr00b]

I don't know how much better they would work, the Jeep flat windshield is kind of ideal for the old style blades as it is. It would be interesting to see if there would be a diff.

[VA_YJ]

I've been buying refills (just the rubber, not the complete blade) in longer sizes and cutting them down to fit the existing 12" blades.  Just make sure the end of the refill that the retention clip engages matches the clip on the wiper arms that you have.

[mrcabinet]

I haven't tried them on the TJ yet, but I can tell you that they work really well on my son's JK.

[Bikerjr1]

My boss tried them on his full sized Dodge PU and said that they we not worth the extra price.  Also they have a pronounced curve in them.  I would think, like Tr00b said, they would wear out faster on the ends and not clean evenly.  They may work good for some curved windshields though.  At about 2-3 bucks for refills I keep an extra set tucked in the YJ.
If you try them let us know if the are worth it.
JR

[aka-justin]

I just bought some of the standard 13" ones. They work fine for so-cal's infrequent rain.

[JohnnyO]

I got these spring-like things at 4WD Hardware called Sure Wipes that put a little extra pressure on the blades.  I like them so well on the Jeep that I got them for the rest of our vehicles.  I typically change blades twice a year, regular Ancos or whatever in the summer and Trico winter blades for winter.  4WD Hardware is the only place I can find 12" winter blades.  The Sure Wipes make any blade work better.  Another tip is to scrub the windshield with Bon Ami cleanser to get the grit off, then hit it with Rain-X.  Saw that on Two Guys Garage on TV once.

www.surewipe.com

[Jeffy]

I got these spring-like things at 4WD Hardware called Sure Wipes that put a little extra pressure on the blades.  I like them so well on the Jeep that I got them for the rest of our vehicles.  I typically change blades twice a year, regular Ancos or whatever in the summer and Trico winter blades for winter.  4WD Hardware is the only place I can find 12" winter blades.  The Sure Wipes make any blade work better.  Another tip is to scrub the windshield with Bon Ami cleanser to get the grit off, then hit it with Rain-X.  Saw that on Two Guys Garage on TV once.

www.surewipe.com

Clay bar works well on glass.  Also make sure you wipe down the rubber blades as they get oxidized over time.

I got my last set from Amazon but you have to watch the prices.  I noticed they jumped recently.  No one local sells the 12" or even the 13".  I think the smallest is 16" which is one of the reasons I want to change.  I want to try 14" to see if they clear.  There isn't much of a sweep on a YJ so longer blades might be OK.

[Tr00b]

Polishing compound, glass cleaner then brake cleaner then several coats of Rain X . Westley s bleach white tire cleaner to clean the blades. All works. Awesome gets it stupid clean and gets rid of oil residues and nasty and RainX works better lasts longer but it takes some time to do.

[jfrabat]

Clay bar works well on glass.  Also make sure you wipe down the rubber blades as they get oxidized over time.

I got my last set from Amazon but you have to watch the prices.  I noticed they jumped recently.  No one local sells the 12" or even the 13".  I think the smallest is 16" which is one of the reasons I want to change.  I want to try 14" to see if they clear.  There isn't much of a sweep on a YJ so longer blades might be OK.

I am having a similar issue with mine...  I have found some 13" ones, but they are the stupid U-shaped holder type, which dont work on the Jeep (I swapped my stockers for the wiper boy ones some 6 or 7 years ago).  Dont want to order over the web because shipping to Panama can get expensive...