I was looking at an internet store that sold little packages of pads I guess that you would wipe your wipers with, and it was supposed to make the rubber last longer with cracking or stuttering.
Then when I was in a car store today I noticed there wiper blades that contained a little packet that looked like a moist towelletee pack and it said you were supposed to clean your wipers with that to make them last longer. Never noticed that before. The packet said it contained isopropyl alcohol. Is this a good thing to wipe your wipers with to make them last longer in good condition?
I'm not really convinced that using alcohol to clean your wiper blades will make them last longer, but I know that it does work very well to clean the surface oxidation from the rubber parts. Basically the type of rubber (synthetic material) that wiper blades are made out of, deteriorates due to sunlight and Ozone. Cleaning them with alcohol does make them work better because it removes the coating of deteriorated surface material, but there again, I don't see how that would make them last longer. Maybe they would function properly longer because they work better when they are cleaned.
Ya want a great set of wiper blades i.e. I bought a set of Triple edge wiper blades about 6 years ago and still have no issues. They cost me about 8 bucks for a set! I got them from one of those mail order magazines!
Most wipers are made of latex rubber, which turn powdery from sunlight and ozone, and wiping off this powder can help. However alcohol doesn't help to preserve the rubber. There are stick lubricant/preservatives for windshield wipers.
You can find chemical compatibilities for many materials at
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By choosing "natural rubber" and a compatibility level of "excellent," the database returned the following list, which seems to include only one liquid that may last long on wipers, castor oil. However you may want to experiment with some of the beverages listed, such as beer, whiskey, rum, and wine.
Not trying to be cynical, just trying to stay better informed. Do you have any source of information that indicates TCP is better than mild soap and water or even alcohol for prolonging the life of synthetic wiper blades (not rubber)? Does it have any adverse affects such as windshield streaking or damage to other finishes? Is it hazardous to your health or the environment? Is there an easily obtainable source for this product?
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