October 2019

not, aside from the obvious issue of impeding visibility, severely worn blades have been known to become damaged on metal or plastic components, which may damage the windscreen or cause the blade to disengage. Unique There is an increasing number of vehicles with unique rear wiper blade designs. Sam observed: “Although many blades look similar, they’re specially designed and manufactured, plus they’re specific in their fitment. The TRICO Exact Fit rear blade programme, for example, boasts excellent coverage to accommodate the eclectic mix of applications. “Indelibly marked with a yellow flash on the packaging, the Exact Fit rear blade programme contains 48 part numbers, all to OE quality, which provide even pressure distribution on the windscreen, are lightweight and protected against high UV. TRICO also offers unique connectors that cover up to two different arm types with the same connector, thus reducing the number of stock keeping units necessary.” Sam added: “The range of specialty blades are designed exclusively for Exact Fit rear applications. These blade types cannot be serviced with a standard conventional wiper blade and, instead, have various connection styles and blade types, such as plastic, beam or metal.” Top tips TRICO has provided a six-point list that technicians should stick to when inspecting wiper blades. “These are quick and easy,” commented Sam, “meaning they can illustrate to customers, face-to-face, whether their blades need replacing immediately or in the near-future.” 1. Using the washer spray or a spray bottle to sprinkle the windscreen, switch the wiper blades on and check for any missed areas, water smears or streaks that might impede visibility for drivers. Light misting should evaporate in a couple of seconds; however, if misting or any other symptoms remain, the wiper blade should be changed immediately 2. Take extra care when lifting wiper arms, as, on many vehicles, arms will hit against the bonnet and not lift. In these cases, turning the ignition on and off and then pressing the wiper stalk down will often move the blades up into their service position, where they can be lifted up. If this does not work, technicians should consult the vehicle’s manual 3. Gently, clean the rubber blade edge with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any dirt or residue, before checking along its length for any imperfections in the rubber – in particular, check at either end that it has not split. Technicians should ensure that the rubber element returns to a central position and is not ‘laid over’ or set in one direction. If the blade fails any of these checks, it should be replaced 4. Check that the wiper blade is securely fixed to the arm. The blade should rotate freely, parallel with the wiper arm, to allow it to flex over the screen; there should, however, be no wobbling or movement perpendicular to the arm, as the movement can be a sign of wear from the blades flipping over and could, eventually, cause the blades to come apart during use. If the blade shows excessive moment, technicians should replace it immediately 5. Ensure the windscreen is thoroughly cleaned using warm water or specialist glass cleaning fluid, in particular, pay attention to the areas at the top and bottom of the wipe area, as dirt and debris can gather here. Technicians should also check the windscreen for any cracks or chips, as these are safety hazards in their own right, but they can also damage the wiper blade rubber 6. Carefully, lower the wiper arms back onto the screen. If the wipers have failed any of the checks, technicians should fit new blades as a matter of urgency Safety and longevity While wiper blades are part of the MOT test, the winter season triggers a surge in checks, advice and replacements. Mike Sadler, Assistant Manager, DENSO Aftermarket UK & Ireland commented: “The main instigator of a wiper blade check is the deteriorating weather; however, it is not only the rain, ice and debris that can have a detrimental effect on low-quality wiper blades, as prolonged levels of sunshine during the summer months can also cause them to degrade, posing a very real danger to motorists.” Mike continued: “In terms of warning signs, technicians need to be aware that should a wiper blade ‘streak’, narrow marks will be left on the windscreen, which are caused by foreign matter that has attached itself to the rubber blade or the edge of the blade, if it is worn. The solution is to clean the edge before re-testing; if streaks still appear, it will need replacing. “If wiper blades ‘jump’ – not run smoothly across the windscreen – and make a vibration noise, it will need cleaning and the angle checked; however, if the jumping persists, the blade will need changing. “Wiper blades at the end of their service life can leave one or more unwiped spots, causing rubber deformation. These symptoms will mean an immediate replacement. If a wiper blade does not contact the windscreen surface evenly, leaving a large unwiped surface, it is usually because the arm is out of shape. That will require the arm to be reset and the blade be changed.” Designs On DENSO’s wiper output, Mike said: “DENSO wiper blades are fitted as OE on a host of high-end vehicles. From Standard and Flat blades to the latest Hybrid designs, they combine intelligent design, top-quality materials and accurate manufacturing – ensuring they wipe better and last longer – DENSO wipers are even fitted on the Japanese bullet trains. Their advanced design provides a wiping edge that, effectively, cleans the unique windscreen of the bullet train while travelling at slower speeds. Its all-metal blade arm makes it durable throughout all seasons and weathers, 52 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2019 WIPERS Below: Winter’s coming, time to check your customer’s wipers www.aftermarketonline.net