You’ve just bought a new car or purchased a new pair of wiper blades.
However, after a few weeks, streaks appear when you operate your wiper blades. It seems like they have already worn out.
In all likelihood, the wiper blades are just dirty and require cleaning. But if you want to continually prevent them from streaking, you’ll have to do more than that.
CLEAN YOUR WINDSCREEN PROPERLY
Streaking isn’t just caused by filthy wiper blades. Much of the blame actually lies with dirty windscreens.
This is because dust and other airborne particles settle on the glass surface.
Hence, when it rains, the wipers are always switched on long before the contaminants are sufficiently washed away by the rain.
HOW STREAKING OCCURS
The wiper blades then drag these minute particles across the windscreen and over time, create microscopic scratches on the surface.
This is what causes streaks on the glass.
PREVENTION
Generally, washing the windscreen frequently, even more often than the car body, will minimise the occurrence of streaks.
Using a windscreen washer additive helps, too.
You should not use the windscreen washer to clean a dirty windscreen when it is not raining.
Windscreen washer nozzles do not supply enough water to flush away the grime before they start to have an abrasive action on the glass.
Whenever possible, give the windscreen a thorough manual wash with car shampoo and plenty of water. Consider polishing your windscreen every two or three months. This will help remove any built-up dirt.
Also, remember to periodically clean your wipers. You can do it while washing the car. Or wipe them down with a dedicated automotive glass cleaner.
Finally, replace the blades regularly. Wipers are the highest-wearing components on your vehicle – particularly given the punishing weather here. Tiny dust particles build up on old blades over time.
As a rule of thumb, wiper blades should be replaced as soon as you start to see streaks when you use the wipers during rain.
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