AliExpress windscreen wiper refills

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timmmay

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# 208181 30-Jan-2017 16:38

The cheapest windscreen wiper refills in Supercheap Auto are $10 a pair, with many $20 a pair. That seems pretty expensive for a bit of shaped rubber. You can get wiper blade refills at AliExpress for about NZ$5.50, though they seem to want you to take the metal out of your current blade and put it into the new one. Not a huge saving, but I prefer to change my wiper blades regularly, every 6-12 months, as they seem to work better that way.

Has anyone tried the cheaper refills? Obviously I don't want to put anything unsafe on the car, because wipers are a safety item, but I don't see why we pay so much for them in NZ.

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# 1712898 30-Jan-2017 16:45

That isn't a big saving, but probably the only way is to trying buying some. I hadn't thought of buying them on Aliexpress, but may look at it next time.

MikeB4

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# 1712901 30-Jan-2017 16:48

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I seldom have to replace them but I have always gone to either the car dealer or to Repco. Quality, convenience and getting the right blade trumps a few dollars.

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# 1712904 30-Jan-2017 16:52

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3 monthly replacements sounds extreme. Perhaps you get what you pay for? I replace mine between 12 and 24 months depending on how much the vehicle has been used. I always buy the good quality if not genuine replacements. Suffering with $5 cheap and nasty blades doesn't seem worth it to me, not to mention a false economy if you're having to replace them so often.

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timmmay

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# 1712918 30-Jan-2017 17:02

It's probably more like 6-12 months, and I buy quality ones. It's not really about the money, the saving is trivial, it's more about not liking to get overcharged.

gbwelly

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# 1712931 30-Jan-2017 17:35

My mechanic does a pair for $4, so obviously trade prices on the rubber bits are pretty sharp in NZ. I guess he probably has a 50 metre roll or something.

alliao

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# 1712976 30-Jan-2017 21:10

hey, I've been looking at these, and what I really want to do is get some of them wurth wiper refills.

Is anyone keen? They don't sell to retailers as I guess they'd like to keep their margins, but that means you don't see them everywhere.

They have a warehouse out by Auckland airport area, but the refills comes in packs of 12 or something insane which I'll never be able to use up myself.

But, they are quality stuff! If anyone's keen, let's buy some and divvy it up?

Otherwise, if you really want to go for the cheap route, here's what I've bought in the past for friends and families. Quality rubber.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/351253294288?_trksid=p2050601.m570.l5999&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI351253294288.N36.S2.R1.TR3

Some people have suggested silicone based wipers, apparently indestructible. Thought I've yet to try some myself. Really wanting to try some wurth as their material and coating really do feel like top quality.

hairy1

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# 1712982 30-Jan-2017 21:33

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Rainx is the answer. Wiper blades become a bit irrelevant if you use it properly.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

Goosey

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# 1712984 30-Jan-2017 21:38

timmmay:

The cheapest windscreen wiper refills in Supercheap Auto are $10 a pair, with many $20 a pair. That seems pretty expensive for a bit of shaped rubber. You can get wiper blade refills at AliExpress for about NZ$5.50, though they seem to want you to take the metal out of your current blade and put it into the new one. Not a huge saving, but I prefer to change my wiper blades regularly, every 6-12 months, as they seem to work better that way.

Has anyone tried the cheaper refills? Obviously I don't want to put anything unsafe on the car, because wipers are a safety item, but I don't see why we pay so much for them in NZ.

Try cleaning them with a damp cloth, just wipe them down a few times, do this every 3-6 months and you wont have to change wiper blades often.

Remember to use quality washer fluid and ensure the wiper arms are 'bent' to the screen properly (because over time this needs adjusting).

If you are parking outside, remember the sun is going to dry up those wipers to the point they will stick to the screen.....then the next time you use them at the slightest spot of rain you are actually stretching them.

Remember, rubber degrades and will degrade more with the road grime which will be part petrolumish. Cheap rubber is usually made from a heavy make up of petrolium......do you want this rubbing over your nice glass?

timmmay

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# 1712985 30-Jan-2017 21:39

hairy1: Rainx is the answer. Wiper blades become a bit irrelevant if you use it properly.

I've used it in the past, and it helps, but I still needed windscreen wipers. Their blades are pretty expensive.

Athlonite

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# 1713044 31-Jan-2017 00:06

Ha LOL complaining about paying $10 for wiper blade wait till you have to pay $43 per blade

timmmay

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# 1713051 31-Jan-2017 06:51

Athlonite:

Ha LOL complaining about paying $10 for wiper blade wait till you have to pay $43 per blade

I don't tend to buy the cheaper ones, so $20 for a strip of rubber.

Coil

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# 1713074 31-Jan-2017 08:33

Go to a car dealership and ask for Wurth refills. They are $9 for a pair and the best in the country.
Giltrap VW had them and they last ages and dont squeak! Both sizes too.

timmmay

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# 1713081 31-Jan-2017 09:00

Do places other than car dealerships sell Wurth? Independent garages or similar? Just for location.

When I googled Wurth nothing comes back, but a page told me Wurth or Bosh are both good. Partmaster has plastic / metal blades for $5 / $10 individually with free shipping, so not too bad if they're quality. I'l have to replace the whole assembly on one car as they're getting a bit rusty.

Any opinions on plastic vs metal backed refills?

trig42

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# 1713089 31-Jan-2017 09:13

As for taking the bits of metal out of the blade - my current car is the first one I've has to do it on (Mazda 3). The Wipers are some sort of aerodynamic thing, which is why they needed this sort of refill.

They are a different sort of refill, and the bits of metal are curved for you windscreen (and the refills didn't have metal clips on them to hold them in, just hard rubber/plastic). I got replacements at Repco just before Christmas, and they weren't cheap (about $25 I think) and I had to use the bits of steel from the old ones.

So far though, they are really good blades. nice clean swipe, and no squeaking.

CitizenErased

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# 1713247 31-Jan-2017 13:15

timmmay:

Any opinions on plastic vs metal backed refills?

In my experience the plastic ones make an annoying click/clack sound with each stroke; the metal backed ones are near silent.

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