What I mean is, does it seem that no matter how fast you set them, there’s always a film that breaks up your visibility? That’s what was happening to me while driving through a snowstorm in Nebraska last week. The wiper blades were new Bosche something-or-others. Same as I have on my Tundra and they clear great. But on my GMC, I just couldn’t see well through the film of water.

Turns out there’s a remedy. You can buff your windshield with a compound. It cuts right through whatever is on the glass. I did it and now visibility is perfect and the wiper chatter is gone. Whodathunkit? I’m probably the last guy in the room to learn about this.

Figured I’d post up in case I’m not.

With applications of Rain-X, combined with Rain-X washer fluid, you rarely have to turn your wipers on in the first place. All the water just beads up and runs right off.

Yes Rain X. They make a product you can dump in your washer reservoir with regular washer fluid, works great

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rai...ALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

+1 Rain X. What I do once a year is clay bar my windshield ... gets all the small grit off, saves wears on the wipers, makes the wipers more efficient and helps the Rain X to really do the job without wiper use.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
...

Turns out there’s a remedy. You can buff your windshield with a compound. It cuts right through whatever is on the glass. ...

What's the compound that you used?

There's also a fix that involves bending the wiper arm slightly downward so that the angle of the blade sits correct against the glass as over time, the blades tend to warp upwards when at a rest, causing the chatter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0I-obFmADE

Lots of water (I use Distilled) and a Clay Bar. Then do the RAINX.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:

What's the compound that you used?

IKR?!? Not saying is like telling my you got a new gun and not telling me what you got!



Rick

C'mon guys, it's the COMpound. You know the one. Just use it.


Com. pound.

Isopropyl alcohol, mixed down to 15% in distilled water with a drop of Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo as a surfactant is what I use to clean things that need to be squeaky clean. You can increase the mix if you need it more aggressive.

There really shouldn't be anything in the glass to be picked up by a claybar that can't be washed or wiped off. Glass is pretty hard, contaminants don't really embed into it like they do to paint. Doesn't hurt to claybar the windshield, but haven't really seen the value of it.

quote:

Originally posted by RIC.45:

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:

What's the compound that you used?

IKR?!? Not saying is like telling my you got a new gun and not telling me what you got!



Rick

I think he means polishing compound in particular, not the generic word for mixture or concoction. Here's one:

Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound, Car Compound Restores Car Paint and Car Shine – 1 Pint 4 Fl Oz Bottle https://a.co/d/jihp7Tb

No, it's "the compound". So hush-hush, the name can't be spoken out loud around those who aren't read in.

If you need to know, "they" will tell you.

If you don't know, well... you don't need to know.

I grew up in SW Idaho where we may have gone nearly
a decade without turning them on much less needing
to replace wipers....OK, maybe exaggeration...still it's
been decades here PNW seeking suitable wiper performance.

Last few years the combo of the high end Bosch model PLUS. fluid reservoir
of RainX which till lately never seemed to work.

Either it's changed, my pass/fail level changed. or the Bosch combo has changed.

I could hear Andy Rooney speaking the title of this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Turns out there’s a remedy. You can buff your windshield with a compound.

Is this a secret Compound that Must Not Be Named?

quote:

Originally posted by RIC.45:

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:

What's the compound that you used?

IKR?!? Not saying is like telling my you got a new gun and not telling me what you got!



Rick

LOL okay, I used a product by Chemtec called Invisible Glass Glass Stripper. There are other products by Meguire's etc., but the fact is, you could probably do the same with tooth paste or baking soda. It seems my windshield had a super thin film of mineral deposits like hard water deposits on it. Couldn't see it while the glass was dry but it made clearing wet glass impossible. The compound I used felt like gritty toothpaste when rubbed between my fingers. I bought some 5" buffing pads and stuck one to my hook and loop orbital sander. Followed the instructions from there. Took about ten minutes.

I will buck the recommendation for Rain-X blades, I have found that they don't last. The thin strip above the actual wiping part gives up too easily. I have found the plain old Trico blades last much longer, and wipe just fine.

Not sure how true it is, but I recall hearing a YouTuber mechanic say rainx shortens the life of wiper blades.

I use PIAA blades, they come with treatment. When that wears off I use Griots. As stated, clean it well first.

I tried Rain X 20 years ago and hated it. Rain X seemed to put a film on the windshield. I cleaned it off and have never tried it again. Something wrong with me or has the product changed in 20 yrs?

The other frequently grimy item affecting windshield clarity is the wiper blades. Alcohol wipes cut through the grime but it may take a few wipes.