Ananasfreak

Windscreen Wiper Blades now come in a confusing variety of shapes, sizes, specifications, materials and of course prices. So just how can you Find the best Windscreen Wiper Blades for you, your car and your Driving Needs?

Well, first we need to look at all the different Wiper Blade types, and to understand the features and benefits of each of them.

There are two basic shapes of Wiper Blade Assembly:-

Classic Windscreen Wiper Blades have a clearly visible metal frame with a number of legs reaching down to hold the blade onto the windscreen. The wiper arm is pushed onto the windscreen by the spring at it’s base, and this pressure is transmitted to the blade via the “legs”. The problems of this type of Wiper Blade are firstly that there are many joints which can seize, break or just wear. If the joints seize, the blade can’t flex to the shape of the windscreen, and so it leaves un-wiped areas. If the joints wear; they cause the blade to chatter or squeak because it isn’t held securely and at the right angle to the windscreen.
Secondly, uneven pressure is applied along the length of the blade. Pressure is only applied via the legs. In general terms, the cheaper the wiper, the less legs it will have, so a Wiper Blade with 8 legs will have 8 spots of high pressure along the length of the blade. This leads to uneven wear, which in turn leads to streaking & unswept areas of windscreen.
Thirdly, the anchor points for the blade into the assembly are quite narrow, and so do not have good control over the blade and its angle to the windscreen.
Fourthly, classic Windscreen Wiper Blades are not at all aerodynamic. They generate noise and drag, and lift at high speeds unless they are equipped with aerofoils

Flatblade Wiper Blades have no joints or moving parts, and spread the pressure much more constantly along the length of the blade. The anchor point for the blade is very broad and stable, so the blade is always held at the correct angle to the windscreen which virtually eliminates the chances of squeaking. Flatblade Wiper Blades generate much less aerodynamic drag, noise and lift than classic blades which further adds to efficient quiet operation over a longer life.

Next we need to consider the material used to make the blade itself

Natural & Synthetic Rubber Blends are OK in mild climates, but Rubber blades only have a design life of 200,000 to 500,000 cycles, and this is drastically reduced because rubber is attacked by U.V. light and Ozone. Also, as temperatures drop; rubber stiffens and becomes rigid, so it can’t bend to your windscreen’s form just when you most need a clean efficient wipe. When the rubber is rigid, it’s also extremely vulnerable to cracking & tearing.

Some manufacturers add Graphite to the Rubber Compound of the blade. This makes a smoother quieter wipe, and increases life by up to 10%, but it does nothing to solve the problems of UV & Ozone attack, or the basic problem of rigidity in cold weather.

PTFE or Silicone resins are used as a coating over Rubber on many Windscreen Wiper Blades. These resins are very flexible, resistant to extremes in temperature, UV and Ozone, and ensure greatly improved wear characteristics, but unfortunately, the rubber core of these blades still goes rigid in cold weather.

Ultimately, there are 100% Silicone Wiper Blades. These use a blade made from 100% Silicone Resin. This stays flexible down to -60°C, is resistant to UV, Ozone, Fuels and most Solvents, and offers a design life of up to 1,500,000 cycles.

So, which Windscreen Wiper Blades are right for you and your car?

For the average Urban & Suburban Driver, Classic style Windscreen Wiper Blades are fine, because the speeds aren’t too high for the aerodynamics to be important. However you should think seriously about Silicone Wiper Blades, because, whilst they cost about the same as Premium Branded Windscreen Wiper Blades; they give up to 7.5 times the life of cheap blades, and 3 times the life of premium branded Windscreen Wiper Blades.

Low Mileage and Classic Car Owners can also benefit greatly from switching to Silicone Wiper Blades, because unlike rubber, the Silicone Wiper Blades aren’t being degraded by the ozone & UV as they sit in the garage or car park.

Flatblade Wiper Blades are obviously the choice for High Speed Motorists, because of their vastly improved aerodynamic performance.

Silicone Flatblade Wiper Blades really are the Ultimate Wiper Blade. They provide the aerodynamic benefits of the Flat Wiper Blade design with the great flexibility, low wear rate and resistance to extremes of temperatures and environmental attack. Silicone Flatblade Wiper Blades are great for rallying & Arctic or Tropical Expeditions, but they are also very cost-effective alternative for anyone who drives all year round.

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