Need Wiper Blades - Valeo vs. PIAA Super Silicone

[DuDro]

Any other recommendations?

These will be going on a F50...

Thanks for your input in advance!

[szh]

Any other recommendations?

These will be going on a F50...

Thanks for your input in advance!

http://www.silblade.com ... !

Z

[DuDro]

I was actually considering these as well...

I've visited some of the manufacturer's sites and they have the Driver's Side ranging from 22" to 26". Why such a difference?

[maxnix]

That is kind of a wide variation, but it depends on what each produces and where on the arm the blade is mounted.

[BadQ45t]

I had the PIAA blades on my wifes car as she parks it outside all the time. In 3 years they are toast, which is certainly better than your average pair of blades but I think from now on I'll use the standard ones and just replace them more often. They are superior but I think too much $$ for what you get.

[qship96]

Valeo ultimate wiper blades are buy one get one free at the tire rack currently-just ordered and will report results after some usage!

[Q45tech]

Buy the low cost inserts by the dozen and replace every 90 days...................don't forget to polish the windshield frequently.

[bullittandy]

Buy the low cost inserts by the dozen and replace every 90 days...................don't forget to polish the windshield frequently.

X2, this is excellent advice, my aftermarket windshield has lots of nicks from highway ues and it eats blades like crazy..

[Haitian_King]

The Ultra SilBlades look like what I'll be getting. $60 for a pair of wiper blades guaranteed for 5 years? Not bad. But then again, I don't know **** about wiper blades. All I know is, I want the same sort of blades that I have on the MDX. They whisk water away SO well. My Q's wiper blades (moreso the driver's side one) wipes away water, but leaves a smear that impairs visibility and won't go away untill air dried or more rain hits it. I don't like to turn my wipers on until absolutely necessary and it's quite difficult for me to have to deal with. I absolutely HATE water on the windshield. Like when it first starts to rain and the windshield is just dotted with drops. UGH! Drives me crazy!

[Sunrise City Rider]

I really like the Michelin Hydroedge wiper blades...They are made of a high quality rubber and they also have the little spoiler built into the arm to press the wiper against the windshield at speed...

[Haitian_King]

I really like the Michelin Hydroedge wiper blades...They are made of a high quality rubber and they also have the little spoiler built into the arm to press the wiper against the windshield at speed...

To hold the wiper down while it's in motion? Or while staionary?

I think the addition of a spoiler on the wiper is a little superfluous and might be a marketing ploy. If weather conditions call for active wiper engagement, it's highly doubtful that you'd be traveling at a rate of speed that would necessitate increased downforce. Now if weather conditions permit you to travel at a higher rate of speed, you wouldn't be using your wipers then right?

As far as my current wipers go, I get very little movement out of them on the highway. I've gone 110 in my Q and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary with the wipers. I'm fairly certain that they're adequately aerodynamic. Especially since they rest just a little bit under the rear hood line when switched to the "OFF" position.

[qship96]

Valeo ultimate wiper blades are buy one get one free at the tire rack currently-just ordered and will report results after some usage!

Update- It has been 13 months since I installed the Valeo blades, and after 2 Maryland winters, they are still working like new- this is the first set of wiperblades to last more than 6 months on my Q. The second set remains in the garage collecting dust til these wear out. Tirerack still offering 2 for 1 on these. Highly Recommended

[maxnix]

I am still uding the hydorcurve. Seem to last a year in TX, which is very good.

[Q451990]

No love for OEM blades? I get at least 3 years out of them... maybe the rain-x helps? Or the lack of snow? Or the fact that I never use the windshield washers (that stuff etches paint)?

Heath

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm running Michelin Radius (same as Anco Contour) right now. They're excellent. Best wipers I've ever had.

They're quiet, resistant to cold (no loss of performance due to stiff rubber from cold), and after 2 and a half months of winter weather, still have not developed the dead zones every other wiper I've ever used has developed over time.

They are expensive ($15 apiece) but considering how much better they're performing and holding up compared to my experiences with a range of traditional blades, I'd say it's entirely worth it.

Here's a link to my thread about them:zerothread/390245

[lino]

I had Silblade wipers on a previous car with the carbon fiber trim and the finish peeled off in a short period of time. Hopefully the quality has improved.

[unknown007]

I might try these blades when my car is running again.Problem is should I just wait until next winter because spring is almost here?

[qship96]

Update- It has been 13 months since I installed the Valeo blades, and after 2 Maryland winters, they are still working like new- this is the first set of wiperblades to last more than 6 months on my Q. The second set remains in the garage collecting dust til these wear out. Tirerack still offering 2 for 1 on these. Highly Recommended

Update, I finally tossed the original set of Valeo blades after 18 months of use and put the 2nd set I had stored in the garage on the car- while the 1st set were great for 18 months, this 2nd set lasted about 2 months before developing this horrible squeaking sound ,almost like running them on dry glass would create- just replaced with rain X Weatherbeaters yesterday- we shall see how they do

[Haitian_King]

Update, I finally tossed the original set of Valeo blades after 18 months of use and put the 2nd set I had stored in the garage on the car- while the 1st set were great for 18 months, this 2nd set lasted about 2 months before developing this horrible squeaking sound ,almost like running them on dry glass would create- just replaced with rain X Weatherbeaters yesterday- we shall see how they do

I wonder why the disparity between the two sets. Maybe it was a time issue? I take it the second set was in its original packaging? Weird how they acted like that.

[qship96]

Update, I finally tossed the original set of Valeo blades after 18 months of use and put the 2nd set I had stored in the garage on the car- while the 1st set were great for 18 months, this 2nd set lasted about 2 months before developing this horrible squeaking sound ,almost like running them on dry glass would create- just replaced with rain X Weatherbeaters yesterday- we shall see how they do

Today it rained...well the new Rain X wipers squeaked like the Valeos I needlessly just threw out- the problem must be with the glass, not the wipers-any ideas?

[qship96]

[QUOTE=Paul Wall]Any wax on the windshield?

Do you use Rain-X original glass treatment?[/QUOTe

No,and No. I regularly use Sprayway glass cleaner and ocasionally Barkeepers Friend polishing powder.....maybe it is too clean,as in squeaky clean? Very frustrating

[mcrews]

maxnix,how are those working in the snow!!!! loldid you have a white Christmas in Austin?

It was a Blizzard in Iredell, 45 minutes south of stephensville.

[qship96]

Wipers were squeaking away during todays rain, then suddenly became silent? Must be some strange film on the glass?
Modified by qship96 at 2:15 PM 12/26/2009

[qship96]

Can we stay on topic here??? Wiper blade discussion only,please.....

[Q451990]

Have you tried OEM blades? I really get two to three years of trouble free, streak free use out of them... again, maybe climate differences, but I find them to be very good.

Heath

[qship96]

I prefer the newer "beam" style blades due to their lower profile and the fact that in snowy conditions they do not clog with snow/slush/ice like the older style blades do.The first set of Valeo beam blades worked perfect for over 18 months-I must have picked up some film or chemical coating to glass causing the squeaking recently with 2 different sets of blades tried.Guess I will break out some various cleansers and scrub the glass when the rain stops.

[bundy26]

I used Bosch Icon, they been on my car for almost 2 yrs, best wipers I ever had.

[oldmako]

I just put a silicon blade on the drivers side and so far, I hate it. It leaves a ton of streaks. The pax side is a year old replacement (advance auto...nothing special) and it out performs the new one by a large margin.

I also use rainex. Perhaps the two don't mix well.

Rainex plus 80 mph is the best solution.

[Peterofdevon]

Q45tech,

What do you polish your w'shield with?

P.