How to fix windscreens in a few easy steps?
Are your windscreen wipers smearing, streaking, or not doing their job correctly? Are you thinking of investing in a pair of new wiper blades? Well! Hold your horses! Therefore, today we will teach you to fix your windscreen wiper blades in no time. Our actionable guide will provide you with all the information you need to understand the condition of your wiper blades & the steps required to solve the issue.
Things you will need
WD-40 Specialist® Silicone Lubricant
Microfiber Towel
Pliers
Step 1
Identify the reason for streaking
You need to understand why your wiper blades leave streaks on your windshield to determine how to solve the issue at hand. We have listed a few commonly seen problems with windscreen wiper blades.
- The first reason for streaks on windshields is dirty wiper blades. When you drive, the dirt, debris & contaminants that come in contact with your car; slide down your windshield & get stuck on the wiper blades. If you do not clean the rubber part of your wiper blades regularly, the gunk will accumulate on it. It will then alter the shape of the wiper blades; & thus lead to streaking.
- If your wiper blades are uneven, which happens when the rubber section of the wiper blade moves around, slides down, or becomes loose, you will not only get smears or streaks on your glass but also hear loud sounds. To identify if your wiper blade arms are bent, turn on your wipers; stop them halfway up your windshield and examine them. The rubber should be in contact with the windshield, and it should also be parallel with the windshield. If it is not, then the wiper blade is bent.
- Last but not least, if your wiper blades are old and worn. The best way to identify this is to check the rubber section of the wiper blades. If you find that the rubber is cracked, worn, or torn, it is time to replace the wiper blades. Wiper blades need regular cleaning & maintenance, just like the other parts of your vehicle. They bear a lot of abuse, especially if you live in an area that gets frequent rainfall & snowfall.
Step 2
Clean the wiper blades
If your wiper blades are dirty, follow the steps to clean them thoroughly.
- Make sure to lift the wiper blades in a locking position before you begin to clean them.
- WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant Spray is ideal for windscreen wiper blades. It not only cleans the rubber section but also helps protect it by keeping it lubricated. The best way to do it is to spray a clean microfiber towel with WD40 Specialist Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant Spray. Now hold the wiper blade with one hand to keep it stable & then run the towel down the rubber section of the wiper blade. Do this action a few times to ensure that you have removed all the dirt & grime. Repeat the process with the other wiper blade.
- To check if the wiper blade is free from dirt & debris, run your finger over the rubber section. If you find any bumps, repeat the step above to clean the gunk thoroughly.
Step 3
Fix bent windscreen wiper blades
If your wiper blades are uneven due to the rubber section, you can easily adjust them. You may need to replace the wiper blades if the rubber has become too loose, as you cannot fix it with an adjustment.
If your wiper blade is bent, take a set of pliers or vice grips and bend the wiper arm back. Avoid applying too much force because the metal of the wiper arms is thin, and you can easily damage it.
Preventative maintenance for windscreen wiper blades:
A few things to keep in mind to extend the life of your wiper blades are:
- Try to park your car in the shade when you have the opportunity. The reason is that direct sunlight damages wiper blades very quickly. You may be wondering how is that possible? Well! The sun dries up the rubber and causes it to crack. The cracked rubber then leads to streaks & lines when the wiper blades move across your windshield. To protect your wiper blades, try to park in the shade when you have the opportunity.
- Similarly, ice and snow can also damage the rubber parts by cutting them. Use a scraper to remove snow from your windshield. Another tip to follow is to keep your wipers up in case of a snowstorm.
- Clean the wiper blades regularly. After it rains, a wipe down with a microfiber towel is all you need to do to ensure that the windscreen wiper blades are clean from any dirt build-up.
- Lubricate the rubber section of the wiper blades with WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant. Spray the chemical on a microfiber towel & run the towel along the length of the wiper blades. Voila! Lubrication prevents the rubber from drying up, cracking & getting torn.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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