I need to choose a brand/model of Windshield Wipers

[Carlostrece]

For my 97 Buick Park Ave, 11 Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan, 03 Honda CR-V EX.

I recall in the past I tried...
Rain X streaked, chattered, and were awful.
NAPA Exact Fit Conventional fit perfectly and wiped acceptably.
Anco Universal Fit Conventional wiper fit OK with an adapter, wiped perfectly with no streaks, but was thick, bulky, and obstructed my vision, which was annoying.
Trico Exact Fit Conventional fits perfectly, wiped acceptably (prior to wearing out over 14 years).

I think the Trico Exact Fit Conventional is probably the same wiper as NAPA Exact Fit Conventional.

I've never tried Bosche or Michelin.

I want a traditional, classic, conventional design (not beam, not hybrid) that fits perfectly and wipes good, or ideally wipes excellent.

I wish I could find an exact fit conventional style wiper that fits as good as Trico Exact Fit Conventional that I have now, but wipes as good as the Anco universal fit conventional style with silicone edge that I used to have.

Does Trico or Anco make exact fit classic/traditional type wipers with a silicon edge?

I'd appreciate advice on this topic to find some really good fitting, good wiping, classic/tradional style (not beam) wipers.

My climate has a lot of rain and mostly moderate temperatures. I rarely have snow or ice.

 

[zfasts03]

PIAA silicone
3 different blade styles available.
I get about 7-8 years life out of them.
Best I have ever used.
Purchase price is more, but cost per wipe is maybe less?

 

[Carlostrece]

PIAA silicone
3 different blade styles available.
I get about 7-8 years life out of them.
Best I have ever used.
Purchase price is more, but cost per wipe is maybe less?

It rains ⅗ of the days per year where I am. I don't care what the wiper costs. I just want a good exact fit (without needing adapters), a clean wipe with no streaks, and it needs to last at least 1 year, though several years would be ideal. Snow and ice are not an issue because I rarely get any.

In my past experience with my old cars, a conventional design (not beam) and a silicon edge works best, but in the past I could only get that from Anco, but Anco wipers (at that time anyway) were universal fit, not an exact fit. So the Anco (at that time) were big and bulky and required using an annoying adapter to fit. The Trico fit perfectly, but didn't wipe as well (probably because they lacked a silicone edge).

 

[Nessism1]

I know you said no beam, but Bosch Icon are the best blades I've ever used. Before install, clay bar your windshield, also. It can make a huge difference.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

PIAA has the Super Silicone wipers, which are the regular frame style wipers with silicone, but they're $30 each!

Denso wipers are well-regarded.
I can vouch for Valeo Titanium.

Yes, Napa Exact Fit is Trico Exact fit.

Trico also makes high mileage wipers, though it is a beam.

Rock Auto has GM OE wipers.

If you have trouble with wipers that wipe completely no matter what, you might need new wiper arms. If you can't get new wiper arms, consider Yeti wiper springs.

 

[walterjay]

I have had best results with Michelin wipers.

 

[tburke]

I am a beam fan -- Trico Ultras are 8 bucks from RA and do the trick very well.

If you want to stick w/ conventional, you can get the Exact Fit model for $3.89 a piece from RA. Get a couple pairs to maximize your shipping spend.

 

[Carlostrece]

PIAA has the Super Silicone wipers, which are the regular frame style wipers with silicone, but they're $30 each!

Ouch for cost, but it rains ⅗ of days per year where I am. So it might be worth it. I'll check those out.

Denso wipers are well-regarded.
I can vouch for Valeo Titanium.

I'll check those out.

Yes, Napa Exact Fit is Trico Exact fit.

Trico also makes high mileage wipers, though it is a beam.

I love the fit and minimalistic width of Trico/NAPA Exact Fit Conventional wipers. If they had a silicone edge, they'd be perfect. A silicone edge IME is very effective for reducing streaking and chattering.

Rock Auto has GM OE wipers.

A mechanic I know told me the stock 97 Buick/GM wipers are Trico Exact Fit Conventional wipers with GM or ACDelco name on them. I assume that's correct info. They look the same to me.

If you have trouble with wipers that wipe completely no matter what, you might need new wiper arms. If you can't get new wiper arms, consider Yeti wiper springs.

How would I know if I need new arms or new springs?

 

[Carlostrece]

I know you said no beam, but Bosch Icon are the best blades I've ever used. Before install, clay bar your windshield, also. It can make a huge difference.

Please explain Clay Bar in detail. I know nothing about it, but would like to learn.

 

[JHZR2]

PIAA is really the only answer.

 

[Nukeman7]

I highly suggest the VALEO Titanium Series or 800 Series traditional wiper blades for your applications. They are OEM suppliers for various makes and don't streak, chatter or degrade quickly. They wipe cleaner and conform to various shaped windshields better than any other blade I have ever used. While made of rubber, they have some kind of silicone coating that works exceptionally well. Rockauto has them for many vehicles for a decent price.

 

[Nukeman7]

Please explain Clay Bar in detail. I know nothing about it, but would like to learn.

Watch the video below for specifics on the process.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Ouch for cost, but it rains ⅗ of the days where I am. So it might be worth it. I'll check those out.

I'll check those out.

I love the fit and minimalistic width of Trico/NAPA Exact Fit Conventional wipers. If they had a silicone edge, they'd be perfect. A silicone edge IME is very effective for reducing streaking and chattering.

A mechanic I know told me the stock 97 Buick/GM wipers are Trico Exact Fit Conventional wipers with GM or ACDelco name on them. I assume that's correct info. They look the same to me.

That's possible. Trico is an OE supplier. Trico, Bosch, Valeo, and Denso are all OE suppliers. Mitsuba is another OE supplier, but they don't sell any aftermarket wipers.

How would I know if I need new arms or new springs?

If the wipers don't make full contact with the glass even when brand new, the spring is getting weak on the wiper arm

 

[Carlostrece]

If the wipers don't make full contact with the glass even when brand new, the spring is getting weak on the wiper arm

I see. Then it seems likely I need new arm springs, but I'll decide after installing new wipers.

 

[edyvw]

For my 97 Buick Park Ave, 11 Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan, 03 Honda CR-V EX.

I recall in the past I tried...
Rain X streaked, chattered, and were awful.
NAPA Exact Fit Conventional fit perfectly and wiped acceptably.
Anco Universal Fit Conventional wiper fit OK with an adapter, wiped perfectly with no streaks, but was thick, bulky, and obstructed my vision, which was annoying.
Trico Exact Fit Conventional fits perfectly, wiped acceptably (prior to wearing out over 14 years).

I think the Trico Exact Fit Conventional is probably the same wiper as NAPA Exact Fit Conventional.

I've never tried Bosche or Michelin.

I want a traditional, classic, conventional design (not beam, not hybrid) that fits perfectly and wipes good, or ideally wipes excellent.

I wish I could find an exact fit conventional style wiper that fits as good as Trico Exact Fit Conventional that I have now, but wipes as good as the Anco universal fit conventional style with silicone edge that I used to have.

Does Trico or Anco make exact fit classic/traditional type wipers with a silicon edge?

I'd appreciate advice on this topic to find some really good fitting, good wiping, classic/tradional style (not beam) wipers.

My climate has a lot of rain and mostly moderate temperatures. I rarely have snow or ice.

For that, you need a beam.

 

[blain450]

I want a traditional, classic, conventional design (not beam, not hybrid) that fits perfectly and wipes good, or ideally wipes excellent.

Me too! I'm sick of chasing this fantastic blade or that phenomenal wiper.
If I spend big bucks on wipers, I want them to impress me. So far, none has pulled that off.
It's back to basics for me.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

For that, you need a beam.

Beam wipers usually don't work on older cars/windshields, especially if the wiper arm is worn and the spring gets weak, and sometimes they don't even make new wiper arms anymore for them

 

[edyvw]

Beam wipers usually don't work on older cars/windshields, especially if the wiper arm is worn and the spring gets weak, and sometimes they don't even make new wiper arms anymore for them

IDk, I used them on older cars when I had one. Never had problems.

 

[nealberke]

For my 97 Buick Park Ave, 11 Hyundai Elantra Limited sedan, 03 Honda CR-V EX.

I recall in the past I tried...
Rain X streaked, chattered, and were awful.
NAPA Exact Fit Conventional fit perfectly and wiped acceptably.
Anco Universal Fit Conventional wiper fit OK with an adapter, wiped perfectly with no streaks, but was thick, bulky, and obstructed my vision, which was annoying.
Trico Exact Fit Conventional fits perfectly, wiped acceptably (prior to wearing out over 14 years).

I think the Trico Exact Fit Conventional is probably the same wiper as NAPA Exact Fit Conventional.

I've never tried Bosche or Michelin.

I want a traditional, classic, conventional design (not beam, not hybrid) that fits perfectly and wipes good, or ideally wipes excellent.

I wish I could find an exact fit conventional style wiper that fits as good as Trico Exact Fit Conventional that I have now, but wipes as good as the Anco universal fit conventional style with silicone edge that I used to have.

Does Trico or Anco make exact fit classic/traditional type wipers with a silicon edge?

I'd appreciate advice on this topic to find some really good fitting, good wiping, classic/tradional style (not beam) wipers.

My climate has a lot of rain and mostly moderate temperatures. I rarely have snow or ice.

2018 Santa Fe Sport using Trico Force or Trico Edge Beam blades. Two years of great service and then they peter out on the third year. I pull on the rubber one a month to make sure they don't seperate. I just replaced the rear wiper for the first time. Found a compatable blade at O'Reilly. The Force/Edge may be overkill for So. Calif. but very effective for winter driving in Oregon, Washington, Wyoming and Colorado. I only use Rain X washer fluid. It cleans off bugs and helps to move rain off the glass better than wipers alone.

 

[Carlostrece]

Me too! I'm sick of chasing this fantastic blade or that phenomenal wiper.
If I spend big bucks on wipers, I want them to impress me. So far, none has pulled that off.
It's back to basics for me.

Years ago Anco universal fit conventional silicone coated edge wipers impressed me with their perfect clean wiping with no streaks or chattering. However, their universal fit wasn't very good on my 97 Buick Park Ave. The Anco were big, fat, chunky, ugly looking things that were distracting as they passed in front of my vision. I loved their wiping, but hated their clumsy look and size.

Trico Exact Fit Conventional (same thing as NAPA Exact Fit Conventional and same as Buick ACDelco OEM) fit perfectly, look good, and are slim. They don't interfere with vision. Their wiping ability is OK, but nothing special. They do streak a little bit, even when new.

If I could find an exact fit conventional wiper with a silicone blade, or silicone edge on the blade, or a silicone coated blade; I'd be overjoyed!

Basically, I just want a good fitting conventional wiper that works well. If it's enhanced with silicone, that be a bonus because it would help it wipe better with no streaks or chatters.