Poobah Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 We're having our first rain of the season and even though my wiper blades are brand new (Luxors from Wal-Mart per Jadcock's recommendation) they skip and chatter as they wipe across the glass. Do windshield treatments like Rain-X help this problem? If not, does anybody have any suggestions? Chattering windshield wipers are not a life threatening issue but they sure are annoying! Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 We're having our first rain of the season and even though my wiper blades are brand new (Luxors from Wal-Mart per Jadcock's recommendation) they skip and chatter as they wipe across the glass. Do windshield treatments like Rain-X help this problem? If not, does anybody have any suggestions? Chattering windshield wipers are not a life threatening issue but they sure are annoying! Wipers blades chatter because the blade or the window is coated with something. Before using new blades for the first time, wipe them carefully with a rag that has ammonia on it. When you wash your car, a lot of car washing soaps contain waxes that stick to the windows and will cause your blades to chatter. Again, carefully wipe your windows with a clean rag that has ammonia on it. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Rain-X works wonders. In fact it works so well you won't even need to use your wipers. My '92 deville was traded at 8 years old with 125K and believe it or not still had original blades. I now have 90K on this car and still OEM blades. I rarely use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
an01sts Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I used to work for a Cadillac dealer, and a 25-year-employed parts man told me to ask him first before I bought parts, and he had no vested interest in whether or not I bought GM parts. (Other than letting you know what is good or bad. I don't have vested interest in GM parts eigher; after all, I would never suggest that you buy a Delco battery, a pos.) The parts man said some aftermarket parts were better--Raybestos brake pads/shoes--than GM parts. (I discovered what a pos a Delco battery is on my own.) GM wiper blades, however, were unmatched by anything on the market. If you want to correct the problem, get GM wiper blades. I started driving in 1974, and I used whatever wally world wipers, most of wich would chatter, new off the shelf or a short time after. Since 87, when I modified a pair of GM wiper blades to fit my 69 Frirbird, I have never used anything except GM wiper blades. Often, in light mist, wipers chatter, and it's considerd vots. Even so, I have never had a GM blade chatter under any condition. If you have become assustomed to using yahoo brand wiper blades, you will be amazed at the huge upgrade in performance that GM blades make. Yes, they are incredibaly expensive. I just bought inserts and their holders for my STS, and they were $95. I think that the refills were $40. But they are like silk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickster Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I agree. The GM wipers are great. I know many have had great success with others but I do prefer the GM. Your price of 95$ seeme quite high. I bought the whole assembly for I think about 24$ canadian each. 2001 STS Mettalic Otter Grey, Black Leather, 213,000 kilometers - miles - ? Still running strong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 We're having our first rain of the season and even though my wiper blades are brand new (Luxors from Wal-Mart per Jadcock's recommendation) they skip and chatter as they wipe across the glass. Do windshield treatments like Rain-X help this problem? As Marika said, there's either a film on the blades or on the windshield. Either that, or the blades have dry-rotted, or "hardened" from non-use. I only have to replace the Lexor brand refills every 6 months or so. I've never found a blade, even more expensive ones, that last longer than these. With regular use, they will last a l-o-o-o-o-o-ng time. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rek Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 This worked for me to ELIMINATE chatter: I polished the windshield with Bar Keepers Friend. BKF is very similiar to the SM reccommended "Bon-Ami".I went over it several times till it was just right. It removes crud and minor imperfections. I have also used "Mothers Clay Bar on the windshield. It also reduced the chatter but now I use the BKF as it seems to do a better job. I've seen BKF at Costco and Bed/Bath and Beyond. Shine on... rek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RalPh Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 I put up with the chatter for years (never in hard rain, just when getting a light drizzle). I changed blades (WalMart) a couple of times through out the years but they always chattered even when new. Then.... I was at AutoZone and bought my last pair a couple of weeks ago. Anco "high-speed" or something like that, I forget. They were painted gloss black, came in a blue box and cost $15.00 for the pair. OMG! No chatter. Didn't know it was possible Haven't done anything different with the glass or washing, only the blades are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DFBonnett Posted October 27, 2004 Report Share Posted October 27, 2004 Over the years a few things have worked for me, Bon Ami to clean the windshield, new blades (Napa is my current favorite), or RainX. FWIW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I put up with the chatter for years (never in hard rain, just when getting a light drizzle). I changed blades (WalMart) a couple of times through out the years but they always chattered even when new. Then.... I was at AutoZone and bought my last pair a couple of weeks ago. Anco "high-speed" or something like that, I forget. They were painted gloss black, came in a blue box and cost $15.00 for the pair. OMG! No chatter. Didn't know it was possible Haven't done anything different with the glass or washing, only the blades are different. Hmmm I'll have to check those out. I've tried every replacement blades under the sun and still have yet to find one that doesn't chatter after 2 months. Ok maybe they don't ALL chatter; some just streak. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I'm tellin' you guys, use Rain-x. No runs, No streaks, No chatter (no need to use wipers). If you haven't used this stuff before, you'll be amazed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I'm tellin' you guys, use Rain-x. No runs, No streaks, No chatter (no need to use wipers). If you haven't used this stuff before, you'll be amazed. Larry, I've used rain x many times on several vehicles. I think it works great under most rainy conditions (better with more rain). However, those other times when I need to use the wipers, they chatter even worse then without rainx. My friends use it and have the same complaint. But in the winter i especially like having a coating of rain x on. The ice and snow just slides right off. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poobah Posted October 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 Thanks to everybody for your good suggestions. This morning I gave my windshield and wiper blades a good cleaning with Windex then treated the glass with Rain-X. As I was finishing up, a light rain began to fall and I had some errands to run so I had a chance to put the Rain-X to a little test. The drops (which were small and never enough to form a sheet of water on the glass) tended to blow right off as advertized. I occasionally gave the windshield a single pass with the wipers and they worked very smoothly without the slightest bit of chatter. I'm very impressed so far! Unfortunately, the heavy rain we were supposed to get tonight never materialized. I had to make a 70 mile round trip and it would have been an excellent test. Alas, there is no more rain in the forcast for the next 10 days so any further testing will just have to wait. Can those of you who use Rain-X tell me how long a treatment usually lasts and how often should I reapply it? I would like to continue using Rain-X throughout the winter and see what happens. Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Regis Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 3-6 months depending on the environmental conditions (heavy dust, dirt roads, salt). The rain x window cleaner (looks like windex but is different) works well for inbetween applications. It really doesn't state it in the directions but to really get an even clean smooth finish on your windshield you spray it on then wipe it around like you would with windex. Then take another towel and buff it like you would when waxing your car. You'll notice a big difference. "Burns" rubber " I've never considered myself to be all that conservative, but it seems the more liberal some people get the more conservative I become. " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadiKing Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 Poobah, "Can those of you who use Rain-X tell me how long a treatment usually lasts and how often should I reapply it? " I have been using Rain-X since the 70's! Reapply roughly every 1000 miles. I have recently started using the Rain-X wipes while applying spray Rain-X... Works Great. Buy the Rain-X washer fluid as it seems to add a little touch-up in between applications. Both summer and winter versions are available at Wal-F'in-Mart. Use it in good health! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I didnt read any of the posts above, so this may have been covered. The chattering is caused by deposits on the windshield not easily removed with windex types of products and gas station squeegies. Tree sap, road dirt, tar, oil etc all mixed up with acid rain. If you look closely you will notice spottieness when you clean the windshield with typical cleaners. The manual recommends Bon Ami, but I will be damned if I can find it, the one for windows/mirrors anyway. Someone mentioned the bar cleaner. The point is to clean the windshield with a non-abrasive cleaner until it sheets water and your wipers will work beautiful. A new set of blades, also helps with a clean windshield, and not cheap ones, I have had good luck with Bosch refills. If you think your windshield is clean think again, take a razor blade scraper and GENTLY run it across your windshield at a 45 degree angle and I mean gently as it can scratch the glass so easily it will surprise you! Don't come back to me screaming if you scratch your glass! You will be shocked how much crap is on the razor blade after only a few passes! While many have great results with rain-x I have 100% success stopping windshield wiper skipping with a clean windshield and clean blades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I find I have to reapply Rain-x about once every month or two. It will very depending on how much you use your wipers. I rarely ever use mine even in the heaviest of rain where people are pulling over because their wipers can't keep up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 I find I have to reapply Rain-x about once every month or two. It will very depending on how much you use your wipers. I rarely ever use mine even in the heaviest of rain where people are pulling over because their wipers can't keep up. ranger, did you try to apply the same stuff to the internal surface of the windshield to prevent "sweating"? The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 28, 2004 Report Share Posted October 28, 2004 No, I have never tried that but I think it would work. You might want to try it on a bathroom mirror as a test first, something else I meant to try but have never gotten around to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poobah Posted October 29, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 The glass treatment bottle specifically says "for exterior use only." They also make an anti-fog aerosol spray for the interior side of the glass. Check out www.rainx.com Happiness is owning a Cadillac with no codes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justgreat Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 rain-x will make the wipers drag on the windshield: it's great for NOT using uour wipers but not so great when you do. the best remedy is to remove the wipers from the car, wipe the blades clean with a cloth and then soak the blades with silicone spray, let stand for 10 mins or so and wipe off the excess. another trick to restore the effectiveness of the blades to wipe the windshield clean, take a sharp bladed knife or razor and run it across the blade a few times. if you have quality blades on the car, these two tricks will extend the life of the blades indefinitely. i bought the blades from cadillac (paid about 25$ just for the refills) 8 years ago!! and they work like new. jackg 90seville 95k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmpafford Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 The glass treatment bottle specifically says "for exterior use only." I have always wanted to try RainX on my glass shower door. I have never seen the exterior use only disclamer. I guess they dont want to accept the liability if someone gets hurt using it for inside glass. Someone would probably use it on their drinking glasses so they wont spot in the dishwasher and then sue RainX for poisioning them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 The glass treatment bottle specifically says "for exterior use only." They also make an anti-fog aerosol spray for the interior side of the glass. Check out www.rainx.com thanks Poobah, I saw a lot of Rain-X stuff at local Wal-Mart, applied some...let's see. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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