TriCo Wiper Blade Refills

[THE VEIN]

I just buy the cheap bosch wipers for $7 each and whenever they start to go bad just change them

[jc1surf]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

So my blades were chattering and making an awful noise so I decided to change the blades. Go to the store and look and say WTF??? The new style flex blades for 24" was $28 for the Bosch Icon and $22 for the 22". $50 for a set of blades? I start asking the store guy if there was a deal or anything and he said no not at the moment.

So I start looking for refills for the original blades that I kept. I bought a set of TriCo refills for $5.99. So I go home and take the old ones out and start fitting the new ones. Now they fit. The Driver side went on ok, the pass side was a little bit of a bear. If you want to get technical... TriCo gives 3 options for the inserts. 6,7,and 8 MM. 7mm is for the driver side and the 6mm is for the Pass and rear blades.

I didn't bother using the new metal retainers that came with it, just used the old ones. Slapped them in and good as new. I also found out that the flex type inserts can also be serviced. I had a set of Bosch Icons and found the 7mm fit just fine.

Just incase anyone was curious. So instead of paying $30, $40, $50 for a new set, you can buy the 6mm and 7mm for $12 and have extra left for the next go around.

TTGTR, how are the Trico wiper blades? I was thinking of doing the same as you did, just use the oem arms on the X and replace it the with the trico ExactFit blades. Did you reuse the long metal spine with-in the blades as well?
thanks.
I really wanted to upgrade to the Icons or rainX latitudes, but my windshield is starting to get really pitted. So not sure I would want to spend $50 on them now.

[TwinTurboGTR]

They are working out great. So far so good and so far I've had Rain, freezing rain, and snow thrown at them and they are still new. Then again, they are only 2 weeks old so I would hope so.

I did not use the replacement supports.

[bcredliner]

Another thing I do--when I use the buffer to 'wax' the X with Zaino I do the windows as well.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Really? The wax helps??? I remember... oh idunno... years a go when I was watching an episode of Motor Trend... Goss Garage tips came up talking about wipers... and wax build up was one of the caused for chatter.

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

Really? The wax helps??? I remember... oh idunno... years a go when I was watching an episode of Motor Trend... Goss Garage tips came up talking about wipers... and wax build up was one of the caused for chatter.

I have used Zaino on my windshield for as long as I can remember and never had any chattering.

Zaino is not really a wax. It is a sealant. It bonds to the paint. I don't know if that means anything or not or if it is even true. I do several coats of Zaino on my X every six months or so. When I do I buff one layer on all the windows. In between I use Rain-x once or twice.

It may do as you suggest over time, I don't remember reading anything that said it was great for glass but that is what I do. It it does build up it must take a very long time as I haven't changed the blades in more than 2 years.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Hmmmm.... I may have to give that a shop when I have a chance... I have Zaino, just haven't used it in a while. Then again, I guess any sealant will work, no? I was getting frustrated the other day. It rained, turned the wipers on... I saw a streak... Started to flip out a bit. Then I noticed a tiny acorn shell binded in between the blades. Stupid squirrels. lol

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

Hmmmm.... I may have to give that a shop when I have a chance... I have Zaino, just haven't used it in a while. Then again, I guess any sealant will work, no? I was getting frustrated the other day. It rained, turned the wipers on... I saw a streak... Started to flip out a bit. Then I noticed a tiny acorn shell binded in between the blades. Stupid squirrels. lol

I have no experience with anything other than Zaino but if you have something else I would try it.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

Hmmmm.... I may have to give that a shop when I have a chance... I have Zaino, just haven't used it in a while. Then again, I guess any sealant will work, no? I was getting frustrated the other day. It rained, turned the wipers on... I saw a streak... Started to flip out a bit. Then I noticed a tiny acorn shell binded in between the blades. Stupid squirrels. lol

Young, for what its worth BC is on to something. traditional waxes will build up, but keeping the glass CLAYED, free of contaminants is the biggest first step to keeping wipers chatter free and extending their life.

If the glass is clayed well and smooth, use whatever liquid paint sealant you have at home as long as its a true polymer sealant. I use Menzerna Power Lock. Works great on headlights, taillights, wheels, and paint. I have used it on glass before and I have had no issues, however I haven't been sealing lately.

I have been using Adam's Glass Cleaner to clean my windows with, and their cleaner is actually alcohol free and has a slight polishing agent in the formula, which leaves a slight sealant on the windows each time I give them a wipe. Haven't needed to seal the windows lately, but I do enjoy a traditional coating of Rain-X in the spray bottle just for old times sake every now and then