Windshield wiper question

[agnes the dog]

I have a 59 Apache and have only had it for a couple of months. When I got it, the wiper blades looked like a hula skirt, so I got a replacement set from rockauto. They came and I installed them and it didn't rain for a while. When I finally turned them on, they were really floppy. On each pass, the wiper arm kinda climbed over to the other side of the blade and dragged it across. I was unhappy and got another 12" set from autozone. That set is doing the same thing, though not as bad. I realize I'm using 50+ year old technology. Do I just have to accept that the wipers are going to suck or am I doing something wrong? It almost seems like the wipers are too tall. Sorry, don't have pics at the moment. Can post some tomorrow.

[OrrieG]

I seem to remember getting some aftermarket adjustable ones in the 70's so I could adjust the arm length and angle of the blade to the arm to get the overlap to work right.

[_Ogre]

truk has wiper but in 15000 miles i've never used them
rainX is your friend, i've driven all day in the rain and never turned them on

[agnes the dog]

Thanks. I will try the rainx idea!
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[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

truk has wiper but in 15000 miles i've never used them
rainX is your friend, i've driven all day in the rain and never turned them on

X 2, keep it handy and use it often

[NEWFISHER]

Try Aquapell its like rainx on steroids. Fleabay has some good deals on it. Retail per application at the glass shops here in the NW is $20 per application tube.

[agnes the dog]

I'm getting the impression that nobody worries about their wipers! Guess I won't either. :-)
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[NEWFISHER]

I ordered brand new arms from a local vendor Bob White, Graffitti Alley 541-689-7334 and the work well when I do use them, but mostly run the Aquapell

[JPhillips]

Hey everybody, I've intentionally bumped this ancient thread to show that I've actually been trying to do my own homework on this topic. My 'replacement' wiper blades on my '58 TF are GARBAGE, which I think I bought from LMC truck a few years back. They don't hug the windshield well and they don't remove much water. I'm also not a fan of Rainex.

Are there any other sources for good quality replacement blades? Are the ones from Newport Engineering actually decent?

[nvrdone]

Simple solution if you dont like the wiper blades or Rain x / Aquapell - just dont drive in the rain !! The real problem may be that the arms are not putting enough pressure on the blades aganst the glass. give then a little additional bend.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

I'm also not a fan of Rainex.

I drive in the rain frequently, I'm a fan of seeing thru the windshield. Thus is why I use RainX. Most people won't drive their classic in the rain, you may be one of those. My electric wipers actually work well, but I'm tall so I can bend over to see thru where the wipers travel or use RainX to keep all of the windshield clear.

[mr48chev]

Truth is that the factory wiper arms for vacuum wipers didn't don't have a lot of tension to press the blades against the glass. Any of us who have swapped for higher tension aftermarket arms without changing to an electric motor have experinced the vacuum motors not working well with higher tension arms.

[JPhillips]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I should clarify: I have a restomod, it's a semi-daily driver, and I brought the truck with me to England when I moved over here. Not driving in the rain isn't an option, nor do I want it to be. I also have electric wipers. I like the idea of putting a little more bend on it to increase the pressure; that's a great place to start. Otherwise I need to find something more creative I guess.

[leegreen]

Do they wipe OK, but just have a floppy action?

adding a delay wiper timer so you don't have to look at the arm flopping around as much may help.
My '52, the arms vibrate and the blades jitter on the arms, they wipe fine but are disconcerting to look at. Unless it is really pouring the slowest delay setting is about as much wiping as I need. I also have the cruise button on the end of the turn signal stalk wired to give me a single wipe.

[dsraven]

if winshield pressure is the problem there are helper springs available. dorman makes them as well as others. they might be a little unsightly though
https://www.amazon.ca/Dorman-926-767...6947131&sr=8-7

[JPhillips]

Good morning,
Yes, the delay switch is definitely on the to-do list. The wipers don't fit tightly on the arms so they do flop a bit, they squeek, and they leave a lot of water in streaks across the windshield. They feel really cheap and flimsy.

Interesting 'helper' spring option...might have to check that out.. But you're right, they're fugly.