Cleaning the windshield

Has anyone used Glass Scrub Automotive Glass Stripper? It was recommended because of chattering windshield wipers on my 2003 Highlander, but I'd hate to screw up the windshield...

Reply to
Steve
Loading thread data ...

haven't tried it, but I have used RainX and replaced my wipers as required.

Reply to
EdV

I've replaced the wipers several times, but the chattering continues. Always on the driver's side, on the upstroke, but not all the time. It's the worst I've ever seen, loud screeching sound, makes me wanna get rid of the car. The dealer offers no help...

Reply to
Steve

Maybe a stupid question, but have you tried replacing the entire wiper set up...meaning the arms and the inserts ($7-$14 or so per wiper) first to see if that corrects the problem.....Just replacing the inserts at $3-$5, while the cheaper and often a good route to go, can sometimes lead to this

Reply to
timbirr

As I mentioned I never tried the glass stripper, did you ever had bird poop on your windshield you couldn't wash off? Also, Do you have a damaged windshield? I remember reading a post here that you can get your insurance to replace a damaged windshield because of its safety issue.

Reply to
EdV

Just clean using a typical glass cleaner. Applying Rain X will sometimes have a tendency to make wipers chatter. Like someone else mentioned, change out the entire blade, not just change the inserts. I realize it's more expensive but over time the wiper frames and yokes loose their tension.

I've used many different blades but IMHO I would recommend OEM Toyota blades. They are not the cheapest, but they last a long time. The blade compound they use seems to do a good job resisting sun / heat damage, and even after a few years, is still able to perform very well, from sub zero to triple digit temperature extremes.

Reply to
user

I'll 2nd the OEM blades. They've always worked the best for me on Toyotas and Hondas. I'd also recommend staying away from the spray on wax from those car wash places. Wax gets on the windshield making your blades streak and eventually chatter. Since yours is only on 1 side, I don't have a theory for this.

-Dave

Reply to
Dave L

As timbirr and others have suggested, try replacing the entire windshield wiper blade, not just the insert, with Toyota blades. I have also had fair luck with ExactFit aftermarket blades and inserts, which are close but not quite, as good as OEM blades.

Automatic car washes spray wax on the windshield that cause streaks and chattering. To remove the wax and road deposits, I spray brake cleaner on a paper towel and wipe the glass, following up with window cleaner wiped with newspaper. If the glass is really bad, spray the brake cleaner directly on the glass, being careful to wipe any overspray off of any paint immediately, and then with only fingertip pressure, use fine steel wool on the glass. Do not press hard with the steel wool or you'll scratch the glass!

Reply to
Ray O

Ray, I use the ExactFit brand, because I refuse to pay what Ali Baba and his forty thieves want at my local TOY dealer. Have good luck with them, indeed just replaced the sets on two Camrys, However, on one Camry, while the new ExactFits do an excellent job removing the water, on their return journey down for their "brief rest" before wiping away, they leave across the windshield what can only be described as "light fog." It is some sort of film.

It is a bit irritating, but I can usually see OK through it except sometimes at twilight for a few minutes.....Anyway, never had that problem before with any blades and I replaced the other Camry at the same time (about six weeks ago) and never had any problem....however on my '03, the film continues....Any ideas.....Sure, I guess I could pull them off and replace them, but being "frugal....."

Reply to
timbirr

Ray, I use the ExactFit brand, because I refuse to pay what Ali Baba and his forty thieves want at my local TOY dealer. Have good luck with them, indeed just replaced the sets on two Camrys, However, on one Camry, while the new ExactFits do an excellent job removing the water, on their return journey down for their "brief rest" before wiping away, they leave across the windshield what can only be described as "light fog." It is some sort of film.

It is a bit irritating, but I can usually see OK through it except sometimes at twilight for a few minutes.....Anyway, never had that problem before with any blades and I replaced the other Camry at the same time (about six weeks ago) and never had any problem....however on my '03, the film continues....Any ideas.....Sure, I guess I could pull them off and replace them, but being "frugal....."

*****************

I have ExactFit on our Avalon and Sequoia and have the same issue. I am also frugal and will live with it ;-)

Reply to
Ray O

Yep, only one side, and not all the time. It'll be working just fine, then all of a sudden start screeching so bad I turn off the wipers. Of course, it works great whenever I ask the dealer to take a look.

Reply to
Steve

As you pointed out, brake fluid is dangerous for paint finishes and never heard anyone suggest either brake fluid nor steel wool on glass so I won't comment on this. Therefore it may be very good but I'd prefer a safer method that has worked for me. When my windows are real bad I prefer to use Bonami with a damp sponge and after wiped off, followed up with vinegar. I've had good results with this method on dirty windows (bugs spots, etc..). Many years ago they recommended newspaper and I used it once a long time ago. I can't recommend it tho for real dirty windows to start with. It could probably be substituted for my vinegar above but to me it's a bit messy to deal with so I prefer vinegar outa a spray bottle followed up with either a squeegee or paper towels (or non-lint cloth for the real picky people).

Reply to
observer

Are they OEM or aftermarket blades/inserts? If the dealer looked at it and they didn't suggest removing aftermarket blades I'm guessing they're OEM. When you say the wipers have been changed several times was it just the refill? When this started happening, did you make any changes prior to it occurring? You may want to try RayO's suggestion on his post as well, and let us know what happens.

-Dave

Reply to
Dave L

Thanks Dave. They're OEM blades and inserts. The inserts have been changed, not the blades, hafta try that and see what happens. This has been happening pretty much since I bought the car (new)

Reply to
Steve

Original owner and happening since you bought it? I figure the dealership would be of more help, especially if the warranty was in effect. If you reported this to them while it was still under warranty I wonder if there's any recourse?...

Reply to
Dave L

Unfortunately, I doubt if the dealership would spend much time or effort to fix what to them seemed like a minor problem.

If the OEM blades and inserts are chattering or making noise, try aftermarket.

Reply to
Ray O

I had that problem with a 2000 Mercury Grand Marquis. I replaced the wipers, both blade and the entire assembly several times. Replaced the windshield twice, due to cracks/stone chips and the problem persisted. I fixed the problem by going to a smaller assembly. The car had a 22" wiper on the driver's side and a 24" wiper on the passenger's side. I replace them with 19" wipers on both sides. No more chatter and they still overlap, just not as far. The driver's side doesn't hit the left side of the windshield anymore either. You might try that if you can get away with shorter wipers.

Jack

Reply to
Retired VIP

That IS unfortunate. It is a minor problem but certainly an annoyance whenever it trains or when the wipers are turned on.

Reply to
Dave L

The problem is that the warranty reimbursement for the dealer for replacing a wiper insert or blade would be a half hour at best and so they would be reluctant to spend much more time than that chasing something that was more of an annoyance to the customer than something that prevented the car from being usable.

I looked at those kinds of problems, and if a normal characteristic of a vehicle was an annoyance to the owner, then I'd write a product report. Toyota was pretty good at passing those reports on to the person or group responsible for the component, and those minor annoyances were often fixed by the next model year.

Reply to
Ray O

Makes sense. But I wonder if this was an isolated incident or if it was prevalent on the '03 Highlander?

-Dave

Reply to
Dave L

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.