Those curved windscreen wipers

stace650 · 20-03-2013, 11:29 PM

Hi,
Has anyone used those curved windscreen wipers you can buy? I saw some the other day. Expensive, but interesting. Of course I opted for el cheapo normal ones so I could put my hard-earned towards a flash tuner instead.

Cheers,
Stace

ZedTee · 20-03-2013, 11:36 PM

Hey mate,
If your talking about the ones where you replace the majority of the arm for the flexible bit that holds the wiper blade, I think they may have been marketed as flexblade or flexiblade or something like that, and cost a fair few times more than standard replacements, don't bother, they work well for about the same time as the cheaper ones and I didn't notice any difference, well not enough for the cost anyways!

stace650 · 20-03-2013, 11:47 PM

Yep, that's them! Glad I didn't shell out then. Cheers.

Pepscobra · 21-03-2013, 01:45 AM

Just got myself a set of the Bosch Aerotwin wipers... Supposedly the best when it comes to wipers.

ZedTee · 21-03-2013, 01:58 AM

Hey Pepscobra,
Previously using these types of expensive "awesome" Wipers, they may work good when you put em on but doesn't matter what type i've had they will all dry out and harden during summer and usually need replacing when the hot weather calms down a wee bit. Everyone has their own opinions and experiences, but I've found it to be cheaper to use the el cheapo ones as they usually last me no more than 12 months working fine as did the much more expensive ones, if that makes sense.
If you have found a brand that has lasted a long time, we'd love to know about it!
Cheers mate!

ZedTee · 21-03-2013, 01:59 AM

Oops just read you post properly, you did drop a brand name! Ignore me!

Cheers

XR6T0Y · 21-03-2013, 10:52 AM

Got the Flexblades on mine. Been on for abooooout 2 years. Yes they need replacing, but still work good for the age of them

**Silver Ghia** · 21-03-2013, 11:03 AM

As the saying goes "You get what you pay for".

I've used Bosch Aerotwins on my BA and Trico Techs on the FG. I've used them for about 5 years now. They are far better than the antiquated standard 'whiffletree' wipers still being fitted to the new Falcons. When I took delivery of the FG the first thing I did was change them over.

The flexblade wipers are much quieter, and wipes the windscreen far better, which means much greater safety when driving in the rain.

**Mechan1k** · 21-03-2013, 11:31 AM

Plus the older wiper blade heads lose spring tension in them over time ... and no matter what wiper blades used .. new or old .... wiper performance is degraded.

I just replaced my FG ones and also changed my Territory ones over using the Repco branded cruved blades. Last set I had on the Territory for over 2 years ... and it was just starting to lose wiping performance. I got them when Repco had 60% off everything .... made it affordable ... at least I know I have a good 2 years worth of use out of them.

Also ... I clean the wiper rubbers everywash so as to increase wiper longevity as well.

**Giant Cranium** · 21-03-2013, 12:07 PM

Damn I get new wipers every service so 4 sets a year. By the 2nd month they are streaky. How do u keep them for 2 years?

**Mechan1k** · 21-03-2013, 12:09 PM

Cleaning them every time wash the car makes a big difference ... plus i don't park under trees ... I find if it does get parked under one (if my better half does) ... it gets junk under them ... and that kills them even quicker ... streaking across the window even more.

4vdean · 21-03-2013, 02:42 PM

Rain X is the go "almost" makes the wipers obsolete, can be used on side/rear windows and mirrors giving increased visibilty allround.

XR6T0Y · 21-03-2013, 03:05 PM

Rain x works a treat. I have it in the concentrate at home and add it to the wiper water. Had one day when I was coming home where the wiper arm came off the motor. Was ok though because of the rain x. Drove 45 minutes with no driver side wiper at 110

Franco Cozzo · 21-03-2013, 05:41 PM

I've got those Tridon Flexblade ones on the Focus, the drivers side one is too long and it hits the passenger one on the way up/down, and the drivers one occasionally sticks half way up the windscreen and nearly snaps in half it looks like on the way up.

Got them on my EL Fairmont Ghia too, the drivers side one starts trying to lift at 110km/h on the freeway, it goes up/down off the wind screen when they're sitting there.

Ford17 · 21-03-2013, 08:57 PM

It depends how fussy you are.

The newer flexi-style wipers have constant pressure exerted throughout the length of the blade, which makes the wipe smooth across the windscreen.

The older style wiper blades only have 4 pressure points (at the two ends, and two in middle), and this gives uneven pressure on the blade, which results in various (from barely noticeable to annoying) forms of shuddering.

I personally dislike the shudder that comes on the driver's side wiper, on the blade section closest to the bottom of the windscreen, when the wipers are coming down from/going up to their top vertical position.
The flexi-style blades seem to eliminate this.

In addition to any X% off sales, Aldi have offered the flexi style (in the own brand) in the past, relatively cheaply. I've found the Aldi version works very well.

**supershifty** · 21-03-2013, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6T0Y

Rain x works a treat. I have it in the concentrate at home and add it to the wiper water. Had one day when I was coming home where the wiper arm came off the motor. Was ok though because of the rain x. Drove 45 minutes with no driver side wiper at 110

Is that the same Rainx that you buff on/off your screen that you use, or is this a different product that they market to add to your washer bottle?

On topic, I've used these for a short while and they give far better wiping than standard blades - can't vouch for their lasting ability at this stage of the game though.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Frameless...item460c409f01

XR6T0Y · 21-03-2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supershifty

Is that the same Rainx that you buff on/off your screen that you use, or is this a different product that they market to add to your washer bottle?

It's a windscreen washer additive. I think you add 125ml to the washer reservoir - can't go out to double check at the moment.

**supershifty** · 21-03-2013, 10:59 PM

^^^^ All good XR6toy, I'll find it at SCA. If this is anywhere near the quality of the original I'll be happy - it's gotta beat metho though!

**Mechan1k** · 22-03-2013, 12:03 PM

You can get the RainX window cleaner now as well in a yellow bottle ... so no need to rub it into the window with paper or the like .... it's an all in one ... I have been using it while I had no Stoner's Invisible Glass ... and so far so good .... makes it easier to apply.