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Don66bus
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006
Posts: 402
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 Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 12:26 pm Post subject: Improved windshield wipers |
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I know that this question is moot for Californians in summer, but for the rest of us, it might be nice to have a solution.
Has anyone found a reliable way to make original equipment wipers do a better job of clearing water off the windshield? Spring change-out? Rubber blade treatment? Bending the arm? Changing the arm?
And, yes, I know about Rain-X.
Thanks |
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Nitty
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2003
Posts: 488
Location: Farthest South
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| Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 5:47 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| I'm also interested in this issue. I have original blades that work much better than reproductions from Wolfsburg West. The pivot piece on the blade that attaches to the arm is less wobbly on the original. I think I'll explore a different manufacturer available through Rock Auto. I think the aspect that's paramount is for the rubber blade to be perfectly straight (no dips or humps when contacting the glass). |
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Malokin Martin
Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007
Posts: 3099
Location: E-burg
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| Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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FWIW: Original 65-67 wiper arms help. They have a longer base with a bigger spring.
Also, if you're genuinely committed to cleaner windows, buy a set of original SWF blades. The repros (like any other part) are garbage in comparison. Nothing like old school rubber that was made when we didn't give a F about the environment during production  |
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thomas.
Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2010
Posts: 1291
Location: South West (Pa.)
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Clara 
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12400
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| Nitty wrote: |
| I'm also interested in this issue. I have original blades that work much better than reproductions from Wolfsburg West. The pivot piece on the blade that attaches to the arm is less wobbly on the original. I think I'll explore a different manufacturer available through Rock Auto. I think the aspect that's paramount is for the rubber blade to be perfectly straight (no dips or humps when contacting the glass). |
I agree.
I prefer the oem SWF blades. They are better quality than the new ones.
Sorry I do not know a current source for these.
I do drive buses in the rain. It rains frequently here, probably about 50% of days have some rain over the whole year.
There have been times this past winter where 3 weeks in a row it rained every day.
Reading the journals of Lewis and Clarke there was an entry when they wintered at the mouth of the Columbia. They whined about how it hadn't stopped raining for more than half an hour at a time for the previous month, among other things, like getting the clap from the local ladies, and being tired of camas and dried salmon for dinner.
It must have been November.
It is now sunny and dry and May and the flowers are blooming. Showers forecast later today.
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14258
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 6:48 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| thomas. wrote: |
| I currently run the 11.5 inch version of these on my bus. |
Is one end longer from the fulcrum like bus ones or are they equal? |
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Who.Me?
Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2014
Posts: 2206
Location: UK (South)
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 6:03 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| Clara wrote: |
It must have been November.
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Is that the Clap season over there?
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Andy
Looking for info on my truck's history. Are you from Campbell California or nearby. Do you recognise it? ... http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=636786 |
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12400
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| Who.Me? wrote: |
| Clara wrote: |
It must have been November.
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Is that the Clap season over there? |
It might have been, before antibiotics.
November is just rainy the entire month. one storm after another. And dark. So you might be tempted just to stay inside. Why even get out of bed?
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thomas.
Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2010
Posts: 1291
Location: South West (Pa.)
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 9:34 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| BarryL wrote: |
| thomas. wrote: |
| I currently run the 11.5 inch version of these on my bus. |
Is one end longer from the fulcrum like bus ones or are they equal? |
Equal length. Same as swf. Pretty good reproduction. In the ebay ad it claims it's stainless but it looks like powdercoat or paint to me. |
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Lind
Samba Member
Joined: November 06, 2000
Posts: 9915
Location: idaho
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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split bus wipers are a joke. even with original blades, they are not all that good.
if you want to really get the rain off your windshield, use an adapter with a modern wiper blade.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281496484845
I use rainex
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Wanted:
Idaho VW license plate frames or other dealership items.
VWoA literature and early dealership or distributor literature/pictures/information
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Clara
Samba Member
Joined: June 14, 2003
Posts: 12400
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 2:36 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| Lind wrote: |
split bus wipers are a joke. even with original blades, they are not all that good.
if you want to really get the rain off your windshield, use an adapter with a modern wiper blade.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281496484845
I use rainex |
Annual rainfall in Boise, ID is 11.7"
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kintail
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2003
Posts: 594
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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Original Blades plus OEM motor on my past 12V '67..... add RainX. Works all the time.
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Don66bus
Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2006
Posts: 402
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 6:43 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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I just ordered the blades that Thomas recommended above. That seemed the most practical suggestion so far. Lind's idea of a universal adapter to use other replacement blades might have the same effect for less money.
I will try them out and report back (eventually). |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14258
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| thomas. wrote: |
| BarryL wrote: |
| Is one end longer from the fulcrum like bus ones or are they equal? |
Equal length. Same as swf. |
'64-'67 have one end 5" and the other end 6". Are early blades equal? All these are SWFs. You said 11.5" so yours are actually even longer which is good. I like having the extra inch on the top.
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thomas.
Samba Member
Joined: July 31, 2010
Posts: 1291
Location: South West (Pa.)
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 5:36 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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I was referring to the flexible swf wiper blades like the one at the bottom of this photo. A 9 inch I use on my bug. Above it the 11.5 inch reproductions.
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GLHTurbo
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2009
Posts: 1376
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 6:55 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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Chad just posted these:
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Daddybus
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2000
Posts: 1653
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| Posted: Thu May 05, 2016 10:37 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| I use stainless wiper arms (AA I think), which I trimmed a little on the end and drilled and tapped for a m3 screw. I ordered 12" stainless blades that use the modern wiper refills. The blades are 1950's Chevy truck wiper blades. They lay flat on the windshield and do an awesome job. The clean right up to the top of the windshield. |
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&Dan
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2008
Posts: 1784
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| Posted: Sat May 07, 2016 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| GLHTurbo wrote: |
| Chad just posted these: |
Sixty bucks...! Sheeesh.
For zero bucks, I like to put a new edge on the rubber with 400 or 600 wet-or-dry sandpaper: wet the paper, slap it onto a piece of glass, run the blade lengthwise back and forth. Bing! New edge. |
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BarryL
Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2004
Posts: 14258
Location: Casa de Oro, California
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 9:06 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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From post you're written it appears your avatar is your polar opposite. But if it were you, you could just hock a massive tobacco loogie and spread that to repel water like Mike Nelson used to do in Sea Hunt on his facemask. |
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&Dan
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2008
Posts: 1784
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| Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 9:17 am Post subject: Re: Improved windshield wipers |
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| BarryL wrote: |
From the post you've written it appears your avatar is your polar opposite. But if it were you, you could just hock a massive tobacco loogie and spread that to repel water like Mike Nelson used to do in Sea Hunt on his facemask. |
Hwaaaawk- thPoo!
You know what- you're right! I think I have to thank you. |
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