Windshield wiper chatter

[fishbone]

My '03 4R has a real noisy DS wiper. The stock one would chatter across the entire range of motion, so I bought some new blades (fancy ones with no metal frame) and the new ones chatter just as bad.
Only the DS does it.
Anyone have any tricks to alleviate this annoying problem? Wax the windshield? RainX? Another brand of blades?
It's driving me MAD. Thought I'd see if anyone else has this problem w/ the 4R here.
Thanks all.

--Scott

[expat]

Try clay barring your screen. Did wonders for mine.

My '03 4R has a real noisy DS wiper. The stock one would chatter across the entire range of motion, so I bought some new blades (fancy ones with no metal frame) and the new ones chatter just as bad.
Only the DS does it.
Anyone have any tricks to alleviate this annoying problem? Wax the windshield? RainX? Another brand of blades?
It's driving me MAD. Thought I'd see if anyone else has this problem w/ the 4R here.
Thanks all.

--Scott

[bulldog]

Try clay barring your screen. Did wonders for mine.

Very interesting, guess it takes of the grime and grease from bugs and the road.

[my034runner]

My '03 4R has a real noisy DS wiper. The stock one would chatter across the entire range of motion, so I bought some new blades (fancy ones with no metal frame) and the new ones chatter just as bad.
Only the DS does it.
Anyone have any tricks to alleviate this annoying problem? Wax the windshield? RainX? Another brand of blades?
It's driving me MAD. Thought I'd see if anyone else has this problem w/ the 4R here.
Thanks all.

--Scott


You actually get to use your wipers???:jester: :rotflmao:

Oh, wait, I guess it does rain somewhere in this country.....just not here!!:jester:

Try clay barring your screen. Did wonders for mine.


That's actually a good idea, don't think anyone else has thought of that.:rockon:

[expat]

That's actually a good idea, don't think anyone else has thought of that.:rockon:

Not a new idea. Show and Shine guys have been doing it for years. When I use to show cars was nearly 25 years ago:o:

Amazing how much improvement you can get from a scratched and dirty screen with clay bar. Other than that a new screen is pretty darn cheap if you've had one for five years and its been thru lots of dusty trails -e specially if your a tail gunner on runs :)

No secret to clay bar but LOTS of Spray Detailer Mist or CLEAN water.

[my034runner]

Not a new idea. Show and Shine guys have been doing it for years. When I use to show cars was nearly 25 years ago:o:

Amazing how much improvement you can get from a scratched and dirty screen with clay bar. Other than that a new screen is pretty darn cheap if you've had one for five years and its been thru lots of dusty trails -e specially if your a tail gunner on runs :)

No secret to clay bar but LOTS of CLEAN water.



Whenever I get around to having the guy in back actually detail what's left of my paint job, I'll have him clay the window too. :cool1:

[Vegas Runner]

Is there any UV coatings or anything that a clay bar might affect?

Where do you buy a clay bar? Auto parts store?

[expat]

Is there any UV coatings or anything that a clay bar might affect?

Where do you buy a clay bar? Auto parts store?


Don't know about the UV coating. Would be interested to hear more about that. It didn't affect my screen that I am aware of.

Clay bar can be bought from most auto stores eg PEP Boys etc. They come either in a kit or just the clay. Note that you want to get the clay bar and a bottle of detailing mist. This comes standard in kits. You keep the surface moist with the misting and never let it go dry otherwise the clay bar will stick and transfer impurities back to the surface. If you're cheapo, then you can use water (distilled) but it won't work as well. Note I have changed my post above to emphasize spray mist rather than water. It's much more slippery.

[my034runner]

Don't know about the UV coating. Would be interested to hear more about that. It didn't affect my screen that I am aware of.

Clay bar can be bought from most auto stores eg PEP Boys etc. They come either in a kit or just the clay. Note that you want to get the clay bar and a bottle of detailing mist. This comes standard in kits. You keep the surface moist with the misting and never let it go dry otherwise the clay bar will stick and transfer impurities back to the surface. If you're cheapo, then you can use water (distilled) but it won't work as well. Note I have changed my post above to emphasize spray mist rather than water. It's much more slippery.



Good info Mark, Thanks Mate.:rockon: :cool1:

[expat]

Just checked my detailing supplies. I always use Mothers. Their kit comes with the clay bar, a plastic box to return the clay to and a small bottle of Showtime California Gold Instant Detailer. For a full detail of a truck your going to need a full size bottle. If you are just doing the windscreen the small bottle in the kit will do fine.

Another thing to note about clay barring - you must kneed the clay regularly to put the impurities to the inside. I guess its actually more fold than kneed.

I really encourage you to clay bar your whole truck. You won't believe how much crap will come off that's trapped under wax and embedded in the paint. After claying any polish you apply will make the surface super shiny! :cool1:

I know this is getting way off track but if your going to clay anything, first wash with ordinary dish washing liquid. A few caps in a bucket will remove any wax or polish that is on the surface and is better than car wash detergent. FACTOID: Using ordinary car wash detergent will strip wax and polish so avoid it after you have polished and waxed. Clean water on its own is much better for the weekly/bi-weekly wash.

Back to the claying process....Once the surface is dry and super clean, spray the mist liberally and start "sanding" with the clay bar. KEEP THE MOISTURE UP. After claying paint, wash with clean water or use detailing mist to clean up. Then you MUST wax the surface straight after - don't leave it to the next day. You'll only seal in anything that settled overnight. For glass, after claying its a good idea to use something like RainX which will seal the surface and allow water to bead perfectly.

For me, to clay my truck from start to finish is a whole day pretty much.

Wash and vacumn.
Clay
Detailer Mist
Cut
Polish
Wax
Wax Sealer
Blackout detailer (eg ArmorOil or the like) - for rubber seals, plastic and metal that's black
Detailer Mist
Photograph

This will protect your truck big time from trail scratches.

[my034runner]

Just checked my detailing supplies. I always use Mothers. Their kit comes with the clay bar, a plastic box to return the clay to and a small bottle of Showtime California Gold Instant Detailer. For a full detail of a truck your going to need a full size bottle. If you are just doing the windscreen the small bottle in the kit will do fine.

Another thing to note about clay barring - you must kneed the clay regularly to put the impurities to the inside. I guess its actually more fold than kneed.

I really encourage you to clay bar your whole truck. You won't believe how much crap will come off that's trapped under wax and embedded in the paint. After claying any polish you apply will make the surface super shiny! :cool1:

I know this is getting way off track but if your going to clay anything, first wash with ordinary dish washing liquid. A few caps in a bucket will remove any wax or polish that is on the surface and is better than car wash detergent. FACTOID: Using ordinary car wash detergent will strip wax and polish so avoid it after you have polished and waxed. Clean water on its own is much better for the weekly/bi-weekly wash.

Back to the claying process....Once the surface is dry and super clean, spray the mist liberally and start "sanding" with the clay bar. KEEP THE MOISTURE UP. After claying paint, wash with clean water or use detailing mist to clean up. Then you MUST wax the surface straight after - don't leave it to the next day. You'll only seal in anything that settled overnight. For glass, after claying its a good idea to use something like RainX which will seal the surface and allow water to bead perfectly.

For me, to clay my truck from start to finish is a whole day pretty much.

Wash and vacuum.
Clay
Detailer Mist
Cut
Polish
Wax
Wax Sealer
Blackout detailer (eg ArmorOil or the like) - for rubber seals, plastic and metal that's black
Detailer Mist
Photograph

This will protect your truck big time from trail scratches.



I need to take my truck to your house!!:spank: I can't remember the last time it was waxed.:guns: :iamwithst :o:

[expat]

I need to take my truck to your house!!:spank: I can't remember the last time it was waxed.:guns: :iamwithst :o:

I'd be happy to do it. I actually enjoy spending the day with tunes playing and cleaning a truck. They always look so frickin good afterwards. I love Mondays when I have cleaned the truck over the weekend. Driving to work with a like-new truck is precious.

[Duc Hunter]

Claying your paint can be great! feel any clean car, it feels rough. Feel a clayed car and it feels smooth as a baby's ass! Our windows do have a hydrophobic coating though. I am not sure if this will scratch it off or not. I know when I clean my window the rain sheets off like it is rainex'd, but it has never even seen a bottle of that stuff. All of our windows have that coating on them too. Just an FYI.

[Photog]

I wonder if the clay or the spray, has a negative effect on the coating.

Also; I wonder if the coating is meant to be permanent?

Lastly; did my last two replacement windshields have the coating??

[Duc Hunter]

Also; I wonder if the coating is meant to be permanent?

Everything I have seen says yes. In 83k miles too, mine is still kicking butt and taking names. The windshield sometimes looks a little like it is loosing its coating but one good day in the sun and a washing and it works just like the day I bought it.


I just got back from running errands and it hit me! It is VERY windy here today. Going one direction at highway speeds my wipers were fine. Going the other (into the head wind) they were not. I have a stone shield on my hood, that creates a lot of turbulence on the windshield, which is why bugs don’t hit my windshield. This also messes up the wipers, esp my drivers side. I had it off a while back and notice that the wipers on mine skip at about 75 with it, without they don’t. Just a thought.