Original Volvo Wipers

[Welton]

Rubber is the weak point here.

Everything made from 'rubber' these days degrades rapidly, I understand it's due to environmental pressure to reduce the use of natural resources and introduce more synthetic ingredients.

I've just fitted Michelin wipers to our Citroen and they're excellent. In recent years I've found 12-monthly replacement wipers to be the norm on our cars.

[Halichopter]

Originally Posted by Clan

Volvos current blades ( Valeo I Believe ) still last about 3 seasons , and warranty are sympathetic if there is a problem .

If you mean that the Volvo dealer is sympathetic, my XC-40 is only a little older than 1 year and the dealer said blades are my responsibility after 1 year. My BMW dealer replaced worn blades for free until my car warranty expired.

So from the above I have recommendations for Bosch, criticism about Bosch and a recommendation for FRF and Valeo. I would get them from Volvo but since mine didn't last much over a year, I might as well get cheaper ones.

Thanks.

[37 RUBY]

Originally Posted by Halichopter

After a little over a year my XC-40 wipers streak. I have cleaned the wipers with windshield fluid and paper towels and they still streak

Good effort and you are working in the right direction.

I've had exactly the same issue and bought various wipers which soon returned to streaking.

Streaking is predominantly contamination of the screen and wipers.
You drive the car, contaminants such as airborne oil from poorly maintained cars land on the screen. You wipe the screen, same contaminants are impregnated into your wipers.
Car gets washed with wax shampoo which seals the contaminants onto the screen.... You get the picture.

So I solved it as follows:

Bought a bottle of Traffic Film Remover(TFR)

Cadged some isopropyl alcohol wipes. You can get bottles of IPA from chemist.

Stole the completely worn out scouring sponge from the kitchen sink. It must be worn out.

Wipe the blade rubbers with IPA. Use a clean piece of cotton.

Apply TFR to the screen with the worn out scourer. No need the be harsh with this but you need to break through the surface of the contamination.

Rinse with plain water. Dry with clean towel. Not kitchen towel. Most contain chemicals to aid cleaning.

Avoid wax shampoo on windscreens. Clean once a month as above.

My current wipers are non genuine Bosch which are 2yrs old and no smearing.

HTH

[Ian21401]

That’s a good regime. I do similar but not quite as thorough or as often. Waxed shampoo doesn’t do any favours on the windscreen.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

That’s a good regime. I do similar but not quite as thorough or as often. Waxed shampoo doesn’t do any favours on the windscreen.

neither does road debris such as diesel residue, tyre and brake dust etc ..... very hard to clean off by hand let alone with wiper blades ...

[Willow place]

Just buy re-fills, they must be cheap in the UK ?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Willow place

Just buy re-fills, they must be cheap in the UK ?

yes cheap quality

[Halichopter]

Originally Posted by 37 RUBY

Good effort and you are working in the right direction.

I've had exactly the same issue and bought various wipers which soon returned to streaking.

So I solved it as follows......

HTH

Thanks Ruby. It makes sense to go to the effort of a full cleaning before I buy new wipers. I will try this first.

[37 RUBY]

Originally Posted by Clan

neither does road debris such as diesel residue, tyre and brake dust etc ..... very hard to clean off by hand let alone with wiper blades ...

Very true indeed, hence the use of TFR.


If you park in a city where diesel trains sit idling in sidings, diesel taxis sit idling
in taxi ranks and general traffic congestion is quite high you'll also suffer a smearing screen from the effects of the airborne diesel fumes.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by 37 RUBY

Very true indeed, hence the use of TFR.


If you park in a city where diesel trains sit idling in sidings, diesel taxis sit idling
in taxi ranks and general traffic congestion is quite high you'll also suffer a smearing screen from the effects of the airborne diesel fumes.

i have a white car i have had for many years , i only use it occasionally so it is parked for a couple of weeks outside sometimes in a rural location .... I do wash it very regularly ... in the last year or so i have noticed that when i wash it without going anywhere since the last wash the foamy water releases black deposits in the water as the sponge is used ... no doubt this is the infamous diesel pollution which people are concerned about these days .. This has only appeared in the last year or so , none what so ever in the last decade or so ....

Be careful with TFR it stains the alloy trims on volvos !