Wish I Knew This $3 Aldi Windshield Trick Before! It's THE END of Wiper Blades, by Car Knowledge Hub on YouTube. 27 min 29 s.
- Video length
- 27 min 29 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Park in the shade with the engine off. Pull the wiper arms up into the service position so the blades stand off the glass, and hold each arm so it does not snap back down.
Run a 30-second streak test. Spray the dry windshield with water, switch the wipers on for a few passes, then look at the pattern. Streaks that follow the blade arc point to dirty glass or rubber.
Clean the outside glass with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, working top to bottom. Repeat until the cloth comes away clean, then clean the inside glass the same way.
Wipe along each blade edge with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Run the cloth down the full length to lift the black residue and grit that cause skipping.
Check the rubber for cracks, missing chunks or a hard, shiny edge, and look for a bent frame. If the blade is damaged or the edge is torn, fit a new blade instead of cleaning it.
Apply rain repellent to clean, dry glass in overlapping passes. Let it haze for the time on the label, then buff it off with a dry microfiber cloth until the glass is clear.
Spray water over the glass to check the result. Water should bead and blow off at speed, and the wipers should run quietly without chatter or smears.
Reapply the coating every few weeks to a few months, or as soon as water stops beading. Clean the blades with alcohol each time you wash the car.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use paper towels or abrasive cleaners on the glass, as they leave lint and fine scratches that cause glare at night.
Keep rubbing alcohol off the paint and plastic trim, and work in a ventilated spot away from sparks or flames.
If streaks stay in the same spot after cleaning, the blades are worn and no coating will fix them.
Worn blades often show a hard, shiny edge or a chattering sound, which is your cue to replace rather than clean.
Questions
How do I know if my wipers need replacing rather than cleaning?
Clean the glass and blades first, then test in the rain. If the rubber is cracked, torn or leaves constant lines after cleaning, replace the blades.
Will rubbing alcohol damage the wiper rubber?
A quick wipe with a damp cloth is fine. Do not soak the blades or leave alcohol on them, and rinse with water afterwards.
How often should I reapply rain repellent?
Most coatings last a few weeks to a few months depending on weather and how often you use the wipers. Reapply when water stops beading.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
