Slicon Rubber Wiper Blades

[toobroketoretire]

When I bought my '71 back in 2009 one of the first things I did was replace the crappy OEM style rubber wiper blades. I bought a set of $35 silicon rubber wiper blades and now 6 years and over 100,000 miles later they still look like new and are as soft as they were when I installed them. I had heard and read about silicon rubber wiper blades for years but the super high price always scared me away. But now that I have run them for 6 years I would NEVER use anything else because they are so damned good. They never harden and take a "set" like the inferior rubber blades so they never make that familiar "groaning" or "chattering" noise that the rubber blades are known for.

Are any of you guys using them and are you as pleased about them as I am?

 

[kpic]

Silicone not silicon.

 

[slofut]

That's good to know, what brand did you use?

 

[toobroketoretire]

That's good to know, what brand did you use?

I don't remember which brand they are but I seem to recall them advertising "three wiping edges". After 6 years they still look like new and are still as soft as they were. I'll see if I can find the website again..................

 

[toobroketoretire]

I believe they were "Tripledge" blades and they cost around $35 6 years ago. But I just found another brand that will also fit our C3's. Google "WB116s SilBlade" and take a look at them. Amazon sells them for $19.61 each so you'll have to buy two of them for $39.22. Yes, they are awfully expensive but after running these for 6 years and seeing they still look and perform like new I'll never use ordinary rubber blades again. Silicone blades will never harden and make that annoying "chatter" sound as they remain soft and pliable.

I would be willing to bet they will last 100 years if the C3 is parked in the shade during the day. I'm sure most anything will degrade over time when exposed to sunlight but silicone seems awfully durable.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I've been using PIAA silicone wiper blades for a while. They are incredably durable compared to ordinary rubber units.

 

[slofut]

I believe they were "Tripledge" blades and they cost around $35 6 years ago. But I just found another brand that will also fit our C3's. Google "WB116s SilBlade" and take a look at them. Amazon sells them for $19.61 each so you'll have to buy two of them for $39.22. Yes, they are awfully expensive but after running these for 6 years and seeing they still look and perform like new I'll never use ordinary rubber blades again. Silicone blades will never harden and make that annoying "chatter" sound as they remain soft and pliable.

I would be willing to bet they will last 100 years if the C3 is parked in the shade during the day. I'm sure most anything will degrade over time when exposed to sunlight but silicone seems awfully durable.

Thanks much toobroke!

Very cool, I'll be putting a set on my e24 first!

 

[toobroketoretire]

Thanks much toobroke!

Very cool, I'll be putting a set on my e24 first!

It seems like I read most European cars come with them now days but I may be mistaken. You know how Trico blades take a "set" and then chatter something awful? The silicone blades never take a set so they always run smooth and quiet. Once you see how well they perform you'll never buy the OEM style again.

 

[kpic]

That's good to know, what brand did you use?

Try PIAA, they are sold at Walmart. I'm not sure if they are sold in the stores or online.

PIAA | Wiper Blades The site has an application guide so you can get the PN and search for the best price.

In addition, they coat the windshield with silicone which sheds rain.

I have a set on my truck that are a couple of years old and still are as good as when I bought them. When the Corvette's go bad, I'll buy a set for it.

Toobroke..
The lack of chatter is because they coat the windshield with silicone.