Where to get wiper blades?

[rwoofer]

The current wiper on my Merry Fisher 645 is too small, so I took it off and went down to Halfords to find a replacement. Found an own make wiper that seemed similar (at least it was meant for the standard wiper fitting) and back down the boat to fit. It wouldn't quite fit because the little plastic clip was a bit too long, so I took it out and used the clip from the old blade. That would fit, but wouldn't properly touch the windscreen as the body of the new wiper is completely symmetrical and fouled the wiper arm just a little bit (the original is more cutaway on one side). In swapping the plastic fitting back again, the inevitable happened and it snapped. So now I have no wiper at all, let alone one too small.

Where do people get their wipers from and how do you know which marques are suited?

Halfords have their own make and Bosch, neither of which work. On the internet there are no detailed pics on any of the manufacturers sites or Amazon etc. so I'm completely at a loss as to where to get a new blade.

 

[Biggles109]

I was having similar trouble at Halfords as the adapter on the wiper arm on my '91 Fairline Targa was 'old style' and had gone brittle; the first branch response was 'computer says no'. I then went to a different branch and the guy on the parts counter dug out a handful of adapters that they had left over from fitting customer blades. Maybe try that, or an independent car parts shop.

 

[kashurst]

try an auto electricians - they have stuff for coaches and trucks so may have more choice

 

[Matt341]

I bought replacement wiper blades recently from halfords, their own make. Matched them up like for like with the old wiper blades. The halfords replacement came with 3 different clips, the one that seemed the obvious fit was a bit long and snapped when fitted. The other clip fitted perfectly but took a bit of figuring out to get it on the right way.

I would go with caution if fitting larger blades to those originally fitted as it may cause extra strain on the motors, expensive to replace!

 

[bluejasper2]

Why not just replace the rubber wiper strip coppers at local car shops

 

[lanerboy]

Why not just replace the rubber wiper strip coppers at local car shops

+1 that's what I do couple of times a year costs a couple of quid, if you cant get just the rubbers buy some blades the same length and strip the rubbers off most just crimp on

 

[Portofino]

I measured mine and purchased some from Halfords -same length .Sea salt soon strips them - well the blade bit
I had to adapt the clip or fitting to fit them ,and sort out the washer pipe -but that's boats for you .
Can't you bolt them on through one of the many holes adjacent to the clip fixation?

 

[jamie langstone]

You could try ASAP supplies they have all sorts of marine wipers .

 

[sunquest]

Perhaps I am lucky, my wiper arms seem to connect to most makes. This may be hard to believe but I buy from a stall in Ashford market, a pair of 22" wipers branded by a Unipart owned company for only £2.50 a pair, yes £2.50 a pair. I need 3 on my boat so I buy 3 packs at a time and change annually. cheep cheep

 

[rwoofer]

I would go with caution if fitting larger blades to those originally fitted as it may cause extra strain on the motors, expensive to replace!

I was also a little concerned about that, but the blade as is simply does not wipe my field of view(I'm 6'6", so my eyes are at the top of the screen). I would be going up from 40cm to 55cm or maybe 60cm and was banking on the fact that I would only use it when the screen is genuinely wet. If the motors do go, I'll just have to buy ones man enough for the job.

No point having wipers that don't work in the area you need....

 

[bluejasper2]

i was the same wiper blade finished under my line of sight, so changed from 600mm to 800mm no problems as long as your not leaving them on when screen is dry. benateau boat standard car wiper blades.

 

[Hurricane]

Try here
http://www.bisonparts.co.uk/cab/wip...er-blade-40-1000mm-1-meter-bus-coach-hgv-7019

Made for coaches etc - excellent value.

I bought three of them last year and with some careful fitting they worked well.
Several different sizes so I'm sure you will find something that fits,

 

[rwoofer]

For the benefit of others who may search for this, I eventually found some wipers this weekend. They are made by Valeo (model C55) and are the cheapest ones they do, costing less than £5. You can get them from Euro Car Parts.

 

[rich]

Forget the wipers, use Rain-x, brilliant stuff.

 

[rwoofer]

Forget the wipers, use Rain-x, brilliant stuff.

I looked up Rain x and they say don't use it on plastics - a shame as it looked good otherwise.

 

[gordmac]

Are the wiper arms adjustable for length? Mine are, this means you can move the wiped bit up and down the screen.

 

[rwoofer]

Are the wiper arms adjustable for length? Mine are, this means you can move the wiped bit up and down the screen.

I actually only discovered that as I installed the new one. If I had known then I needn't have bothered with this whole exercise! Live and learn...