Hi,
Don't know if this should be technical (it's not *that* technical) or general so I'll start here :-)

Last night during the heavy rain I found that my windscreen wipers are being a bit smeary. I seem to remember reading that the standard Scooby ones are not the best ! Can anybody recommend a suitable high performance, non-smeary replacement ? How easy are they to change ?

Cheers

Andy

 

Andy,

what's probably happened is that your windscreen has become covered in road grime etc, which gives a smearing effect.

Couple of things to try:

1) Clean the window (and wiper blades) very well, and rub well with a chamois to try and remove all traces of grime.

2) Try cleaning the windows (and blades) with straight screen wash - some of the better quality stuff like the one from Halfords.

3) takes a lot of work (~ 30 minutes), but use something like Auto Glym Glass polish, or if it's really bad, some rubbing compound (available from all accessory shops for under £2 a tin), but remember to clean all traces off. This last trick is also good if you have traces of Rain-X or other glass treatments which can cause smearing when it rains.

 

The scenario you describe is almost what's happening.

(1) Cleaned the windscreen at the carwash
(2) Cleaned it again with autoglym
(3) Put on some RainX type stuff (which I might add was excellent)

The smearing only happens once the screen drys and you get sunlight though it. Maybe I need to do it again but give it a "damn good buffing" - might try using the rotary polisher thingy we've got

thanks for the advice,

cheers

Andy

 

I'm not impressed with RainX on the Windscreen, or for that matter on the rear when a wiper anyway, though it does help the side windows. I've also had a devil of a job trying to remove all traces of it from the windscreen so JohnS's tip of rubbing compound may get tried at the weekend. IMO you should not put RainX on a window with a wiper.

 

How about Mer windscreen cleaner. From my own experience it has given a better finish and been easier to use.

 

I would be VERY wary about using a rubbing compound on glass as it is abrasive.

My suggestion is as follows:

Clean the glass thoroughly with a little ordinary toothpaste on a soft damp cloth, do not use smokers toothpaste as it is abrasive.

Thoroughly rinse the screen with clean water and chamois off.

When it is completely dry apply RainX all over.

Give the wiper blades a good clean and then wipe them over with RainX also.


I have used this method for several years, and the toothpaste really cuts through all grease, grime and polish from the car wash, I have even managed to complete rallies in the foulest of conditions when I have used RainX when the wipers ( on a mini ) have decided to go on strike.

To stop misting of interior windows I also thoroughly recommend the demister made by the same company ( can't remember the name though ), if it will keep a mini clear inside on an all night rally in rainy mid Wales, it will work anywhere, also useful on the interior rear view mirror ( and in the bathroom at home!!! ).

Hope this is useful

[This message has been edited by TonyC (edited 14-04-99).]

 

I don't have too many problems with misting up inside the car - using the heater with the aircon does wonders. To clean the inside of the windscreen I've found the best thing by far is scrunched up newspaper (honest). Get's it clean and doesn't leave any streaks !

cheers

Andy

 

I'll can agree with both newspaper and Rain-X. I've been road-rallying Mk1 Escorts for years and Rain-X makes the difference between visiblity and no visibility when it's raining. (Mk1's have next to useless wipers at anything above 10mph).

For some reason though it (Rain-X) seems less efficient on modern cars (maybe just cuz the wipers are better in the first place).

Never tried the demister stuff though - might be idea - save me bumping my head on the rollcage whilst trying climb over the buckets to clear the rear screen cuz the hrw doesn't work!

Ken

 

The RainX stuff I've tried comes in a pink "shoe polish" type holder (the sort with a foam pad through which the stuff soaks). You don't get the "puddles" of water anymore, just very small beads of water that launch their way up the windscreen. Much clearer to see what's going on as you're looking through dots rather than actually through water.

Ken - I guess your MK1 escort has manual aircon :-)

 

Ken

Like you I've been road rallying for years, did I mention that the Mini is a 1962 Cooper S. My aircon consists of the gaps round the doors. The wipers are probably even worse than a Mk 1 Escort, I know, I had one of those as well, What's a heated rear window??? not invented in 1962

Tony

PS
RainX is also most excellent for headlamps, the mud just beads and drips off easily on rainy nights

[This message has been edited by TonyC (edited 14-04-99).]

 

Ahh yep I remember my mini fondly (?) - 1300 with 850 brakes, first sight of water and it coughed to halt - guaranteed wet feet (from pushing it out of puddles) if it was raining the night of a rally - until it got the marigold treatment!

*pauses for thought*

Hmmn this has drifted way of topic (and make) oops!

Ken