Date:         Sat, 25 May 2002 15:04:58 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <j_rodgers@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: How wipers work / rain-X
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

pensioner wrote:

> The wipers glide on a molecular film of water.  They skip when they
> encounter a surface that doesn't have this very thin film.

That thin film is important.

When out driving, all kinds of stuff builds up on the windshield and it prevents
the water film from forming properly. So you get skips, beading spots, and
streaks. And of course the rain always catches you before you do your next
window cleaning, right?

Well, to combat this, I keep a bottle of 409 cleaner in the VAN box that I
maintain at all times. This stuff will cut the oily film right off the
windshield. A few squirts, and a wipe with a towel about gets it. The water film
will form perfectly and the wipers will absolutely clears the wind shield. Try
it.

One thing, rinse the rubber around the windshield pretty good. It tends to take
the oils out of the rubber and can cause dry rot at an early age if steps are
not taken. Same for the wiper blades as well.

But knowing is half the battle.

John Rodgers
88 GL driver