Floppy Wiper Arms

[Bevman]

I have new wiper arms (put on by previous owner) but don't know brand. They fail to provide enough pressure on glass to properly sweep away rain. The springs don't appear to be adjustable. I tried bending the arms to increase tension, but that's no help (and it only makes them look stupid). Any solutions out there for the '64 std bug?

[KTPhil]

Is your glass heavily chipped, say from freeway driving? Then no wiper can really work well.

But if your glass is in decent condition, use Rain-X, and apply it correctly. That means cleaning the glass with a glass cleaner product. Then let it dry in the sun for half an hour. Take it back in the shade to cool, then apply two coats of Rain-X, letting the first dry to a haze before applying the second. Finally, after at least 30 minutes to let it dry, remove any haze with a soft cotton cloth.

Do this and you won't even need wipers. But if you apply it to wet glass (even water in the microscopic pores), it will not work well.

[heimlich]

I've been using Rain-X for years and it's amazing. You really don't need wipers. It's a surfactant and causes the surface tension to greatly reduce so that the water globs and moves very easily. It puts the air in air hockey.
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[jzjames]

Try to locate a pair of "accessory wiper arms" for the '64.
They are aftermarket replacements with better clamps for holding on to the shaft, and better stronger springs.
100% better!

Like these;

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1502738

[glutamodo]

The redesigned wiper arms mentioned above were actually more than just aftermarket - they were also dealer replacements - called by some "Ralph Nader Specials" since the 'orrible wiper arms were one of his complaints about the VW. I've talked about them many times over the years here and I run them on both of my bugs.

Proof? I have some with the VW logo on them:

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Andy T.


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[KTPhil]

Just to clarify, the term "floppy" wiper arms usually indicated that the clamp at the shift is loose. I read between the lines that this is NOT your problem, since you mentioned spring pressure specifically.

Or it may mean the blades skim over the water instead of squeegeeing off the water.

It may help if you clarify whether the clamp at the pivot is tight or not. There are threads dealing with THAT problem, and Glutamodo's solution of the improved arms is probably the best overall.

[Bevman]

Thanks, all... the problem is not with the attachment point, it's the pressure that the arm puts on the glass. When driving at highway speeds, you can see the air flow from the hood "lift" the arm and blade off the glass so that it "dances" instead of pressing down.

[60ragtop]

you need to source the ones Andy pointed out, day and night difference in the wiping action against the glass.
classified search shows these
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1502738
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2052099
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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986