RainX Quantum Wipers

Prior to the rainy season out here we installed RainX Quantum windshield wipers.  Thankfully we've had a really wet winter this year, and I can say that we've been very impressed with the new blades during a number of trips in the last few months.  Much improved visibility during all types of rain.  They are more expensive than normal blades, obviously, but we've found them to be valuable.  They also have a color-change indicator to let you know when to change them.

   - Mike

Just curious,  what length did you go with  ?

I don't recall offhand, but will check when I get to the PC.  I'm pretty sure it was a direct replacement size.   I don't often vear from the norm and try to do my own engineering.

    - Mike

I believe the factory size Ford E-Series wiper blade length is 20".  If you want to use a longer blade to clean more glass, you risk having the wiper blade skip or squeak across the windshield.  The spring in the wiper arm presses the blade to the windshield only so hard.  My experience with low-end wiper blades even at the proper length, some are fine but some skip or squeak.  Maybe you can get by with longer Rain-X Quantum blades.

If you want to extend the life of your old blades instead of replacing them, you can do what the used-car-lot people do.  Clean the blades with lacquer thinner and observe how much oxidized rubber is removed.  Use one clean lacquer-soaked tissue with every wipe.  If the blades are not too far gone, they will work fine again.  Understandably so, vehicles kept outside all the time will surely go through wiper blades much faster than garage-kept vehicles.

Our garage-kept 2014 Nissan Altima has special blades that cost a lot.  The car is 3.5 years old now yet still has it's original blades because I have cleaned them once so far that way.  Eventually I will need to buy new blades, but I seem to be doubling their life with that trick.

Good tip on cleaning the blades,  Ron.    Think I'll give that a try.