Wipers keep the windscreen and rear window clear in rain, snow and mud, which makes them central to visibility and road safety. Smears, streaks or juddering across the glass mean the wipers are no longer coping.
Blades wear out naturally and need replacing in good time, but regular care noticeably extends their life. Autumn and winter are hardest on them: mud, slush, ice and de-icing chemicals attack both the rubber and the metal.
What you will need
Important: Do not apply WD-40 to the windscreen: an oily film causes smearing and reduces visibility. Treat only the arms and blades, and remove any overspray from the glass straight away with alcohol. Keep the product off the paintwork.
Step 1
Wash the blades regularly
Wipers may seem to be in water all the time, but dirt, grit and road film work into the rubber and turn it into sandpaper for the glass. Wash the blades at least once a week, especially in autumn and winter.
Lift the arm and wipe the rubber with a cloth dipped in water and mild detergent until no more black residue comes off. Then dry it.
Step 2
Remove rust from metal parts
Rust on the arms, mountings and blade frame weakens the spring pressure and stops the rubber sitting evenly on the glass. Apply WD-40 Multi-Use to rusty spots, leave it for a few minutes and wipe the loosened deposits away. It displaces water and leaves a thin protective layer against corrosion.
The thin straw of WD-40 Smart Straw reaches the arm pivots and springs easily. If an arm nut has seized and needs undoing, WD-40 Specialist Penetrant will help.
Step 3
Protect the rubber
Holding the can upright, spray a little onto a cloth rather than directly onto the blade so nothing reaches the glass or bodywork. Wipe a thin layer along the full length of the rubber. This helps protect it from sun, temperature swings and freezing, all of which speed up ageing.
Step 4
Wipe off the excess and clean the glass
If any excess remains on the blade, remove it with the dry side of the cloth. Wipe the glass in the wiper sweep area with alcohol and a paper towel so no oily film is left. Test the wipers with screen wash: they should clear the glass evenly without streaks.
Step 5
Prepare for winter and replace on time
Before the frosts, check the blades and fit winter blades if needed. Do not leave wipers frozen to the glass when parked: tearing them free damages the rubber edge. Never run the wipers on an iced screen; defrost it first.
If streaks remain after cleaning or the rubber is cracked, replace the blade, typically every season or year.
Tip: On frosty nights, lift the arms off the glass or slip a piece of cardboard under the blades: the rubber will not freeze to the screen and the wipers are ready to go in the morning.
What next
Wash the blades weekly, treat the metal against rust monthly in the cold season and replace blades as soon as streaks appear. While you are at it, check the battery terminals and door hinges before winter.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».