What's the best wiper blade??

drewski59

New member
Well, I think the title says it all.



I'm currently looking for some new blades to try until I find the best one.



Which ones have you guys liked the best and why??



*Note: I always replace the whole assembly, not just the rubber refill :bigups
 
I've got the Bosch MicroEdge blades on the Protege. They were $11 and $13 I think, but I don't consider that to be a big deal, since I was able to keep the old Anco blades on the Maxima for 2 years, and they still worked great when I sold the car. With regular cleaning, no harsh washer fluid use, and bi-weekly conditioning with 303 Wiper Treatment, I plan to keep these blades for a long time.



These blades have always been very quiet, and wipe clean every time. Whether it's the clean blades or the conditioner causing them to behave so well, I don't know. It doesn't matter though...as long as they work nice, that's all that matters.



But honestly, the cheap Anco blades on the Maxima never gave me any real problems either. I kept those cleaned and conditioned too. I think any blades will work well if you take care of them.
 
I agree with the Bosch MicroEdge suggestion. But don't buy just replacement refills inserts (rubber only). Cough up the extra money and buy the whole blade assembly. It makes a big difference in the performance! You don't have to worry about bending the carrier or tearing the insert. It takes only 30 seconds to replace the whole assembly and the alignment and pressure points are all taken care off.

I used to buy the insert only, but once I made the change to the assembly, I'll never go back.
 
Yeah, I'll put another vote in for the Excels. And with any blade, ALWAYS replace the whole blade. Half the time, it's only a few dollars difference. It's a lot easier to do, and you don't have to worry about old springs or anything giving in. Plus, new blades look better.
 
I've had PIAA Silicons and was very happy with them. Not cheap though. Tirereck carrys them. There is another Silicon blade out now that is similar, has replacable inserts, and is about 1/2 the price. Can't seem to think of the name now, but on another Forum I'm on they are getting great reviews. I'll probably pick some up in the spring-snow is hard on blades.



Anybody ever heard Heywood Banks' song 'Wiper Blades'? :LOLOL
 
truzoom said:
The Ancos I have right now are sorta questionable, as they don't seem to compare to OEM FoMoCo Wipers.



I have noticed (and someone else I knew) that you never seem to be able to get aftermarket wiper blades as good as the OEM.
 
I have never found a blade as good as OEM on my Odyssey. I buy new blades avery year and inserts at 6 months. The only blade that is close in performance are the ones at NAPA.
 
I've got the PIAA silicons on my max now and I'm not impressed. I've always like the Bosch products in the past, wish I didn't have an odd size, a 26, can't hardly find em.
 
The Bosch Micro Edge(ME) and Micro Edge Excel are two different blades.



The ME are refillable and the Excels are not. The Excels are a better blade. As was pointed out, Bosch has a new blade called the Icon. I have not used them yet, but my uncle has them on his Denali and said he likes them. The icon is completely flexible, much like the blades you see on newer cars, especially Audi's, and VW's (called Aero wipers). The idea is there are more than 1500 contact points with the glass resulting in a much better wipe.

Valeo(sp?) is also another company that sells the flexible blades. Tirerack.com carries them.



I always used the Excels, but will try out the icons now that they are out. My glass always has aquapel as well.



The icons are like $15ish - $27 each which is not that much more then the Excels.



Proper care (cleaning and treating) of the blades helps prolong the life of them.



Goodluck!
 
Hmm....I guess I'll give the Bosch Icons a try.



They are pretty unique. I keep my glass Aquapel'ed as well, right now the 2 coats I put on 2 YEARS AGO are just starting to wear off! You can't beat that!:)



I've been using ANCOs for awhile, since they are cheap, and when new, provide very decent wiping ability, but they wear out quickly also.



After each wash, I wipe all of my blades off. It's incredible the black gunk you get off of those after only a week or two!!



Thanks for the tips.:bigups
 
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