Wiper Blade failure / interaction with "Silver" screens

[Dramfineday]

Hi Guys,

Anyone had problems regarding early failure of Wiper blades
when associated with short fit Silver Screens? The blades were manufactured by Bosch and have lasted three months. The blade affected is the drivers side with about 6 inches of the rubber distorting (mid screen) and not "wiping". This is the second pair it has happened to. When the Silver Screen is up the blades rest on the material. Only the drivers side has been impacted. The van is Citroën Relay based.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I haven't had this problem when using our silver screen. My impression is that FIAT own brand wiper blades for the Ducato are very good quality as well as cheaper than third party wiper blades. I am on the second set fitted 2 years ago and still working well.

 

[TinaLes]

Can you not put a clothes peg between the wiper blade arm and the screen, I do this (if I remember) when storing the van between trips for any length of time as it saves the blades from sticking to the screen.
LES

 

[Puddleduck]

Our external thermal screen goes over the wiper blades.

TinaL Les's peg idea is great

 

[Verteuil Man]

Can you not put a clothes peg between the wiper blade arm and the screen, I do this (if I remember) when storing the van between trips for any length of time as it saves the blades from sticking to the screen.
LES

I was about to say the same thing. The sun hardens the rubber and the wipers sound like a trombone when they wipe. I always find Bosch rubber to be hard from new. My friends who live in Spain say that when they look at a used motorhome they want to know if it has been stored out of the sun. First thing they try is the wipers. If they explode they walk away.

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[Speve]

We have used Silver Screens on our vans for last ten years without any noticeable problems? I wouldn’t think the material they are made from would distort the rubber blades what is the max length of time they are on the cover?

 

[Gellyneck]

Our external thermal screen goes over the wiper blades.

TinaL Les's peg idea is great

We've got the long version of Taylormades and they too go over the wiper arms \ blades.

We've got magnetic Velcro pads that hold the bottom edge of the cover down whereas I think you need to use the wiper arms to hold it down on the shorter version.

 

[Burgo]

Can you not put a clothes peg between the wiper blade arm and the screen, I do this (if I remember) when storing the van between trips for any length of time as it saves the blades from sticking to the screen.
LES

We use old wine bottle corks - one each under the bit at the end of the arm where the blade hinges - to stop the blades sticking when it's hot. The advantage of corks is if you forget to remove them as you've just used the internal blinds, they're unlikely to cause any damage to your paint or to anyone behind if they drop off while you're driving.

 

[EuroTrotters]

We use old wine bottle corks - one each under the bit at the end of the arm where the blade hinges - to stop the blades sticking when it's hot. The advantage of corks is if you forget to remove them as you've just used the internal blinds, they're unlikely to cause any damage to your paint or to anyone behind if they drop off while you're driving.

Yes, we do that short term. Or just clip the 3 of them off if its long term

 

[Wombles]

Just to err on the side of caution we use these Baggit protectors at £9.45 a pair delivered https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35382057...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1 which are good quality & look smart with our Minster screen covers Easy to wipe clean & still like new after 3 years of trips. There are other versions but more bulky which isn't necessary & these store easily in the bag with the screen covers when not in use.

Photo from listing:

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[icantremember]

We use old wine bottle corks - one each under the bit at the end of the arm where the blade hinges - to stop the blades sticking when it's hot. The advantage of corks is if you forget to remove them as you've just used the internal blinds, they're unlikely to cause any damage to your paint or to anyone behind if they drop off while you're driving.

Corks, that's what I use, cover or not, when I think about it!

The only problem I had was when a cork went down a scuttle drain causing a blockage.
EDIT
I managed to solve this problem by passing a wooden kebab stick sideways through the cork....

 

[Dramfineday]

We have used Silver Screens on our vans for last ten years without any noticeable problems? I wouldn’t think the material they are made from would distort the rubber blades what is the max length of time they are on the cover?

Usually 3 days max when on tou Thanks,

 

[Speve]

Usually 3 days max when on tou Thanks,

Not long then sometimes when in Spain we have had the screens over for three weeks to keep the sun out in daytime and cold at night

 

[Verteuil Man]

I have seen a chap use the foam pipe lagging. They have a split on one side to slip over the pipe. A meter length is less than a quid.

 

[Plumberz]

I also use wiper blade socks to prevent sticking and shrinking in the sun.

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[TinaLes]

I like the Cork idea, might change from plastic clothes pegs to those, but then again I like the pipe insulation idea as well now....decision's ,decision's
An other ideas to add in the mix folks?
LES

 

[Dramfineday]

Thanks guys for the top tips and suggestions. Will try another brand of blade and couple it with one of the ideas suggested above. .

Kind regards

Dram

 

[TinaLes]

Corks, that's what I use, cover or not, when I think about it!

The only problem I had was when a cork went down a scuttle drain causing a blockage.

Couldn't you use the cork screw to remove it?
Sorry just had to ask, someone help me!
LES

 

[Gellyneck]

Obviously, corks are the most logical solution as Funsters always have these to hand!

 

[Gellyneck]

I've currently got Bosch 26" / 22" on ours for around two years and no issues. They were on special offer at a silly price so ..............

Prior to that had these on and they lasted quite well (changed every three years or so). Still got the last set in the van as an emergency spare.
Amazon product ASIN B0056GPDUU

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[TinaLes]

I drove all the way down to Wellington Somerset last Sept in the pouring rain to get the Van MOT, & Service done.
They failed it on wiper blades, that went on the MOT record as a FAIL, then they fitted new ones for £25, Re-Tested The Van and Passed it.
The original blades would have been 3 years old, but I honestly didnt see much smearing, maybe I need to get my eyes checked, they were not perished, so I recon they must fail wiper blades if they smear at any point on the back forth movement on either side.
Thanks for the heads up on Bosch Blades, you would have thought that brand would be a Premium Product and last longer than The Fiat ones, which I bet are much harder to get hold of, and twice the price.
LES

 

[ambulancekidd]

Bosch wipers on our car are over six years old & working perfectly.
Our motorhome wipers are also Bosch & been on there for over three years with no issues, no exterior screens though.
I firmly believe the perfect way to ruin a set of new wipers is to try using them with crusty ice on the windscreen, which I never ever do.

 

[TinaLes]

I firmly believe the perfect way to ruin a set of new wipers is to try using them with crusty ice on the windscreen, which I never ever do.

Can you have a word with my Mrs then Robert, I could not believe that she did that last winter on the car!
"Will I ever stop harpin on about it" she asks?
Well of course I wont.
LES

 

[Lenny HB]

We use old wine bottle corks - one each under the bit at the end of the arm where the blade hinges -

I use to do that until I found it caused problems with the wiper arm spring.

 

[bobandjanie]

We put our silver screens over the wiper blades, protection from the sun. Bob.

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[jezport]

The answer to your problem https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12462107...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[BigPw]

Hi Guys,

Anyone had problems regarding early failure of Wiper blades
when associated with short fit Silver Screens? The blades were manufactured by Bosch and have lasted three months. The blade affected is the drivers side with about 6 inches of the rubber distorting (mid screen) and not "wiping". This is the second pair it has happened to. When the Silver Screen is up the blades rest on the material. Only the drivers side has been impacted. The van is Citroën Relay based.

Just fit genuine blades and take them off and store in side during the winter or long layups

 

[Wombles]

Just to err on the side of caution we use these Baggit protectors at £9.45 a pair delivered https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35382057...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1 which are good quality & look smart with our Minster screen covers Easy to wipe clean & still like new after 3 years of trips. There are other versions but more bulky which isn't necessary & these store easily in the bag with the screen covers when not in use.

Photo from listing: View attachment 656803

Photo of our wiper covers in use here:

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Bosch wipers on our car are over six years old & working perfectly.
Our motorhome wipers are also Bosch & been on there for over three years with no issues, no exterior screens though.
I firmly believe the perfect way to ruin a set of new wipers is to try using them with crusty ice on the windscreen, which I never ever do.

I don't suppose that you need to worry about strong sunshine Robert, more chance of wearing them out though

 

[RogCar]

we also use corks from wine bottles, always got some in the knife drawer.

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